Tensions between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip flared on Monday, one day after a Hamas militant died in an “accidental explosion” in the northern Gaza Strip and shortly after a large-scale IDF drill along the border.
The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said that 37-year-old Muhammad Walidal-Quqa died after succumbing to wounds he sustained a day earlier and had been involved in “jihadist activities, including manufacturing and assembling explosives.”
Early Monday morning, rocket alert sirens sounded in several southern Israeli communities bordering the northern Gaza Strip. According to the army, a projectile landed in an open area and security forces were sweeping the area for remnants. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in the attack. The IDF later struck several Hamas targets over the course of the day on Monday following the rocket fire and late afternoon gunfire toward troops.
Both Hamas and splinter Islamic organizations have launched rocket attacks into Israel. There has been no official claim of responsibility for the launching of the projectile, but Israel holds Hamas accountable for all fire emanating from the Strip.
(IDF completes large-scale Gaza drill simulating Hamas infiltration (IDF spokesperson’s unit))
The IDF recently completed
Article source: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Tensions-with-Gaza-flare-after-IDF-drill-preparing-for-escalation-480783
