Israel hits Gaza and closes crossings after rocket attack

Israeli prime minister warns of stronger response after third incident in two weeks.

A battery of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system positioned near the southern city of Ashkelon after rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. Amir Cohen / Reuters / June 7, 2015

Jerusalem // Israeli jets hit the Gaza Strip early on Sunday for the second time in three days after new rocket fire from the territory hit southern Israel.

It was the third time Israel staged retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza in the past fortnight, with each raid following rocket fire into Israel’s south, raising fears of a new confrontation with Palestinian militants.

Aircraft hit “terrorist infrastructure” in northern Gaza, the Israeli military said.

The Israeli government also ordered the closure until further notice of the Erez crossing for people and the Kerem Shalom crossing for goods.

Israel said it held Hamas responsible for all attacks coming from Gaza, where it is the de facto power, with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinting at stronger retaliation in future.

“I have not heard anyone in the international community condemn this firing; neither has UN said a word,” he told ministers at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

“It will be interesting if this silence continues when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves.”

Palestinian security sources and witnesses said the raids targeted a training site belonging to Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, in the northern Beit Lahiya area.

The rocket fire on Saturday evening struck open ground near the port of Ashkelon, causing no casualties. The same area was targeted by three rockets on Wednesday, which also prompted retaliatory air strikes.

After that attack, the military deployed batteries of its Iron Dome air-defence system around Ashkelon, Israeli media reported on Friday.

Since the end of a deadly 50-day war between Israel and Gaza militants last summer, there have been at least seven instances of rocket fire on southern Israel.

Four of them have taken place in the past six weeks, fuelling fears of a fresh confrontation in a territory which has lived through three wars in the past six years.

There have also been growing signs of internal unrest in the territory, with Hamas engaged in a power struggle with smaller extremist groups. A spate of bomb attacks have targeted public buildings and officials as well as international organisations. Although few have been claimed, they are believed to be the work of radical Salafists unafraid to challenge Hamas.

The last three attacks on Israel were claimed by a relatively new Salafist group called the Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem.

It first emerged in July 2014, during the war with Israel, when it claimed some rocket attacks.

There is very little information on the size of the group but Palestinian sources believe it has dozens of members and hundreds more supporters.

Some of its leaders formerly belonged to the Qassam Brigades, while others used to be part of Islamic Jihad’s Quds Brigades. They are understood to be in contact with other regional Salafist groups, notably in Syria and Egypt’s Sinai.

The Salafists have made no secret of their disdain for Hamas over its observance of a tacit ceasefire with Israel and its failure to implement Islamic law.

Salafist groups have been angered by a Hamas crackdown, and claim about 100 of their members or supporters are currently behind bars.

Last week, Hamas police shot dead a local Salafist leader during an arrest operation in Gaza City. A day later, the Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem claimed at least two rockets fired at Israel.

Salafist sources said indirect talks with Hamas over a possible prisoner release deal broke down on Saturday.

Several hours later, there was fresh rocket fire on southern Israel.

Claiming the attack, Supporters of the Islamic State said it was a “gift” to the prisoners held by both Israel and Hamas.

* Agence France-Presse