Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas training camp kills 2

[News_Editor]

Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas training camp kills 2

2011-03-16 18:55:16 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA (BNO NEWS) -- Israeli aircraft on Wednesday targeted a suspected terror activity site in the central Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Media in Gaza said two Palestinians were killed.

The IDF said it carried out the airstrike in response to a projectile being fired at the Sdot Negev Regional Council on Wednesday morning, causing no casualties. The IDF did not identify what it was targeting, although the Palestine News and Info Agency WAFA said a Hamas training camp was hit by two missiles.

"The IDF will not allow the Israeli southern communities to continue living under constant threat, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the citizens of Israel," IDF said in a statement. "The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip."

According to WAFA, citing medical sources, the Israeli airstrike happened in the Abu Jarad area in southeast Gaza city. It said the remains of two people in their 20s were taken to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, but did not say whether they were part of Hamas.

WAFA also claimed a Palestinian fisherman was shot when Israeli navy boats opened fire at shores of Gaza. The claim could not immediately be confirmed.

The Israeli region of Ashkelon and the southern area of the Gaza Strip have been the scene of an ongoing series of rocket attacks between Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinian militants.

In the winter of 2008-2009, Israel launched a surprise airstrike against the Gaza Strip which marked the beginning of a three-week military conflict between Israel and Hamas, killing nearly 1,500 people and leaving thousands more injured and displaced. Israel stated its aim was top stop rocket fire from and arms import into Gaza.

In 2010, the Israeli Security Agency reported a total of 150 rocket launches from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. It represented a significant drop from 569 launches in 2009, although 407 of them were launched during Operation Cast Lead.

So far this year, more than 60 mortar shells, Qassam rockets and Grad rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, according to IDF figures.

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