IAF Hits Underground Terror Infrastructure Along Length of Gaza Strip; Missile Barrage Continues

IAF fighter jets targeted several underground terror targets controlled by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesman’s Unit said Thursday. The targets included a military target in the southern town of Rafah, terror tunnels west of the Jabaliya refugee camp and two tunnels in the central region of the Strip.

The military said the coordinated attacks were part of more than 150 strikes on strategic military targets in Gaza over the past 18 hours, in response to an ongoing missile barrage on southern Israel. As of 12:00, about 180 mortars and rockets had been fired at southern Israel since Wednesday afternoon,  with the Iron Dome missile defense shield shooting down about 30 incoming projectiles.

At least seven civilians in Israel were wounded, and several homes, businesses and infrastructure sustained damage in the attacks.

The exchange of fire coincided with ongoing talks in Cairo between Egyptian officials, Fatah representatives and Hamas leaders, both for a ceasefire with Israel and towards resumption of ties between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The Hamas delegation is led by deputy organization chief Saleh al-Arouri, who arrived in Gaza last week to personally take part in the talks. According to Egyptian sources, Fatah is represented by Executive Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad

Some Israeli officials said that the Cairo talks were the correct lens through which to view the rocket fire.

“As we approach a possible agreement, it seemed important to Hamas to deliver the message that they are not weak or that they can handle the current situation (vis-à-vis Israel). The rockets are launched to illustrate that this is the case,” said Yossi Kuperwasser, a former head of the research division in the Israel Defence Force Military Intelligence division and Director General of the Israel Ministry of Strategic Affairs.