Israel strikes smuggling and terror tunnels in Gaza Strip

[News_Editor]

Israel strikes smuggling and terror tunnels in Gaza Strip

2011-04-07 22:15:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA STRIP (BNO NEWS) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday informed that it conducted air strikes targeting smuggling and terror tunnels in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the attacks on southern Israel.

Israel Air Force (IAF) conducted two separate strikes on Wednesday. In the morning, an IAF aircraft launched precision strikes on two terrorist tunnels in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to the Maan news agency, four people were injured in the two strikes. Two of the wounded were women and one of them was pregnant. The four individuals were inside a plastics factory.

On late Wednesday, an IAF aircraft targeted three smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip near the Egyptian border. Direct hits were confirmed and the mission extended until Thursday morning.

The first tunnel was located in an area near the Rafah refugee camp, also known as the Yebna camp. A second strike hit tunnels near the Salah Ad-Din area and a third in the Barazili neighborhood. One person was injured in the third strike due to falling debris.

IDF said that the strikes were in response to projectiles fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants. In March, terrorist organizations fired 38 rockets and 87 mortar shells at southern Israeli communities.

The total 128 attacks in March were the highest of the year compared to 61 in February and 83 in January. IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

In March, Israel deployed the Iron Dome missile defense system to protect Israel's southern communities from rocket threats coming from the Gaza Strip as directed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

"IDF will not allow communities of southern Israel to continue living under constant threat. Any attempt to terrorize those or any of Israel’s citizens will be met with a response," said an IDF statement.

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