Israel: IAF strikes targets in Gaza in response to rockets

(JPost) IAF aircraft struck two centers of terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip overnight Friday in response to rockets fired from the coastal territory into southern Israel, according to the IDF Spokesman's Office.

The IAF recorded direct hits on its intended targets and all aircraft involved in the strikes returned to their bases safely, the IDF said. Palestinian sources said that two people were injured in the strikes which targeted Hamas training facilities.

The IDF stated that it would continue to take action against attempts to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers, and that it holds Hamas responsible for all terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

The airstrikes came after several rockets were fired at Israel over the past week, one of which struck and damaged a home in Sderot early on Friday morning.

Earlier on Friday, Home Front Defense Minister Avi Dichter said that Israel will have to alter its deterrence strategy vis-a-vis Gaza-based terrorism.

Dichter's comments came during a visit to the house in Sderot hit by a rocket fired from Gaza earlier in the day.

Israel cannot tolerate rockets being rained down on it, he said, stressing that Israel needs to initiate at a time of its choosing a process of devising a "complete deterrence strategy to stop the terror."