ZCZC
BFF-18
ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-CONFLICT-GAZA
Israel hits Gaza in response to ‘projectile’: army
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, March 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli
forces said Saturday they had launched several strikes against Hamas sites in
Gaza in response to a projectile launched from the besieged coastal territory
the night before.
“IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas
compound in the southern Gaza Strip and underground structures in the
northern Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.
“The strike was conducted in response to the projectile that was launched
from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory” as well as the “balloons carrying
explosive devices” into Israel and attempts to damage “security
infrastructure”, it said.
Security officials in Gaza said the strikes had not caused any casualties.
A Palestinian was killed and at least 45 others wounded by Israeli fire
Friday in new protests and clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave’s
health ministry said.
An Israeli army spokesman said around 8,400 demonstrators had gathered
along a barrier between the blockaded territory and Israel, throwing
explosive devices and rocks and setting fire to tyres. The Gaza Strip has
been the scene of mass protests and clashes since late March last year.
Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees and their
descendants to be allowed to return to former homes now inside Israel.
Israeli officials say that amounts to calling for the Jewish state’s
destruction.
At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the
rallies began, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit
by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza.
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.
Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a
decade, have fought three wars since 2008.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1430 hrs