Israel has launched a wide-scale air assault on Hamas military targets in Gaza in response to shootings at IDF soldiers earlier today:
IAF jets recently conducted a wide-scale attack against Hamas military targets throughout the Gaza Strip following a severe shooting attack against IDF soldiers this afternoon. The IDF is currently conducting the attack in various locations
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
Earlier today, IDF aircraft and tanks targeted military targets belonging to the Hamas terror organization
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
The sniper shootings were only the latest attack on Israel:
The IDF views today's attack and the hostile activity orchestrated by Hamas throughout the last months with great severity. Hamas chose to escalate the security situation and will bear the consequences for its actions
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
IDF troops are on high alert and will continue to operate in order to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
According to the AP, Israel has already killed at least three Hamas fighters:
BREAKING: Israel carries out airstrikes after Palestinians fire shots from Gaza's border, killing at least three Hamas fighters.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 20, 2018
It’s not just shootings from Palestinian snipers. There have been rockets fired in recent weeks that landed in Israel as well as these ‘fire kites’ that have been used by Palestinians to start fires in Israel.
We’ll bring you more on this when we have it.
UPDATE:
The IDF just tweeted this:
Sirens sounded in the Sha'ar HaNegev and Sdot Negev Regional Councils. More details to follow pic.twitter.com/95af5tv0Ks
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 20, 2018
UDPATE 2:
Here are some photos from Charles Lister, who also suggests that one IDF solider was killed in the sniper fire earlier today:
UPDATE 3:
Following reports regarding sirens in the Sha'ar Hanegev and Sdot Negev Regional Councils, three launches were identified from the Gaza Strip at Israel. The IDF's Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted two launches
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2018
#IDF says 3 projectiles fired from the #GazaStrip. 2 intercepted by #Israel’s Iron Dome system, a third fell outside a community pic.twitter.com/0CsNV1vH9E
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) July 20, 2018
UPDATE 4:
Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking military targets throughout the Gaza Strip. So far, the IDF has struck 15 military targets located in a Hamas battalion headquarter in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF significantly damaged the headquarters capabilities
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2018
Among the targets were weaponry warehouses, equipment storage, training facilities, observation posts, command and control rooms, the battalion's operation room, the battalion commander's office, and additional infrastructure. The strikes are ongoing
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2018
UPDATE 5:
The IDF has now admitted that a solider was killed this morning in the Palestinian sniper shooting:
Today an IDF combat soldier was killed during operational activity near the southern Gaza Strip. A terrorist squad shot at IDF troops and the IDF soldier was severely injured. He later succumbed to his wounds. His family has been notified pic.twitter.com/V0ppoDyKZV
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2018
The IDF expresses its heartfelt condolences, and will continue to support the family
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2018
You can be sure this had everything to do with their fierce retaliation today and I hope it continues until Hamas is no more…