Israel conflict: Warplanes bomb Hamas sites in Gaza in retaliation for fire balloons

The conflict in the Israel-Palestine region continues months since tensions restarted between the two nations. In the latest strike of retaliation, Israeli forces bombed Hamas sites in Gaza following the group’s launching of incendiary balloons.

The Israeli military said Tuesday, reported by Reuters that the country’s warplanes carried out bombings of the Palestinian militant group’s sites in Gaza. The bombings were a response to the group launching incendiary balloons to Israel, causing brush fires in southern Israel. No casualties were reported so far, and the Israeli military said that it has only bombed what appeared to be weapons facilities and rocket launch sites owned by the militant group.

Not long after the Egyptians brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas back in May, Hamas has sent over balloons with incendiary material into Israel, leading to the strikes on Hamas bases. Palestinians said the balloons sought to pressure the Israeli government into easing restrictions on Gaza while allowing aid to reach the nation. The balloons that were launched Monday started fires in the Israeli fields along the Gaza border.

Even as Israel announced last week that aid from Qatar to Gaza would be resumed, reports of violence at the border have increased. During the weekend, Israeli soldiers shot and wounded 41 Palestinians, two of which were critically injured, according to medical authorities. The Israeli military also revealed that gunfire from the Palestinian side injured an Israeli soldier.

Days prior to the violence that occurred Saturday, Hamas launched a rocket towards Israel that was shot down by the country’s Iron Dome anti-missile system. It was the first rocket attack since the ceasefire that was established on May 21.

Nevertheless, Israel continues its strikes against Palestine, resulting in dozens of casualties. Among the most recent casualties was a 15-year-old who was killed during a raid by the Israeli military, according to Palestinian rescue services. The Health Ministry in Ramallah determined that the teenager was shot in the head.

Soldiers had arrested a suspect for terrorist activities in a refugee camp in Nablus. The soldiers were also under fire from the rooftops, and they fired back. Palestinian residents also threw stone blocks from buildings at the soldiers.