IDF officials vow to respond to rocket fire
Defense Minister convenes meeting to mull response to day’s volleys of Kassams and mortars
Aaron Kalman is a former writer and breaking news editor for the Times of Israel
The IDF “reserves the right to strike terror organizations in Gaza,” officials told Channel 2 on Tuesday evening, following a barrage of over 30 rockets during the day.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak gathered top generals of the IDF in order to discuss possible responses the army could take in light of recent escalation along the border with Gaza.
Rockets were fired at the south of Israel in a series of salvos throughout the day on Tuesday, causing thousands of people to stay at home or within a short distance from the nearest bomb shelters.
A Hamas spokesman said the rockets were fired at Israeli military bases, and warned that his organization could use other means if it chose to.
Israeli planes hit a rocket-launching squad in Gaza during the day, killing two. Planes also bombed targets in the Strip during the overnight hours Monday and Tuesday, killing six terrorists belonging to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz visited the Israeli-Egyptian border on Tuesday afternoon, at the site of Monday’s terror attack in which an Israeli citizen was killed by terrorists who infiltrated the south of Israel from Sinai. Two terrorists were killed, and an Islamic group named the Mujahideen Shura Council of Jerusalem claimed responsibility.
Soldiers stationed along the border handled the situation well, Gantz told reporters who asked about the security situation along the newly built fence. “The bigger problems are the terror bases being built in Sinai,” he said.
The Times of Israel Community.