Israeli Warplanes Strike Gaza at least Four Times

Israeli warplanes struck at least four times across Gaza on Friday, causing no injuries but damaging a number of structures that the Israeli military said were sites for weapons manufacturing or storage.

Photo: Israeli Warplanes Strike Gaza at least Four Times

A military spokesman said the strikes were in response to a Qassam rocket fired from Gaza on Thursday that hit the Ashkelon area on Israel’s central coast. The spokesman added that nearly 20 rockets or mortars had come from Gaza during the month of March, and more than 40 since the beginning of the year.

Palestinian witnesses said that in addition to the four strikes on Friday, there had been several others that hit areas used by militants for training, as well as, according to one report, a cheese factory in Gaza City, New York Times reported.

According to Israel, the bombings were carried out on four weapons factories allegedly run by Hamas which rules the Palestinian territory.

But, Hamas officials told media that the raids targeted metal workshops, farms, a milk factory and small sites belonging to its military wing. They also said police stations and training facilities were among those destroyed in the attack.

Out of the 13 attacks, four took place near the town of Khan Younis. Although no casualties were reported, a top Palestinian health ministry official revealed that three children including an infant were slightly injured by flying debris, RTT News reported.