Several massive explosions rocked the Gaza Strip on Thursday night amid multiple reports of Israeli jets buzzing the area. It follows reports that two rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel but failed to cause any damage.
At least three major blasts rocked Gaza city as Twitter got flooded with reports of residents waking up to the sounds of airstrikes and Israeli F-16 jets flying over.
#breaking#photo: place that #Israel#F16 bombed near Al maqousi residential area minutes ago.#Gaza#GazaUnderAttackpic.twitter.com/rVPodT05zZ
— Omar Ghraieb (@Omar_Gaza) June 3, 2015
The strikes took place in the western part of the strip, near the Maqousi Towers residential area. Khan Younis and Ubaidah garrison of Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades were also struck.
Air strike was on area near Maqousi Towers in Northwest Gaza City 234am
— OccPal-Gaza (@OccPalGaza) June 3, 2015
Explosion reported in Nuseirat Refuge Camp central Gaza 245am
— OccPal-Gaza (@OccPalGaza) June 3, 2015
There were no immediate reports of casualties, said Times of Israel citing Hamas media reports. Hamas said its military facilities were targeted.
An official medical source : no injuries were reported after the F16 air strike on #Gaza
— Dr-Abu Rayan Ziara (@Medo4Gaza) June 3, 2015
Hamas media in Gaza says Israeli planes target Qassam Brigades in central Gaza Strip, bomb targets in Khan Yunis
— Ilån Bεn Zıon (@IlanBenZion) June 3, 2015
Earlier on Wednesday, two missiles were fired into Israel from
Gaza. However, it was not Hamas, but its rival Salafist group
called Omar Brigades, loyal to Islamic State (IS, formerly
ISIS/ISIL) that claimed responsibility for the attack.
“We are continuing with our jihad against the Jews,” the group said in a statement, claiming the rockets were fired in retaliation for Hamas killing of an IS supporter on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Picture of Israeli air strike in #KhanYounis#Gaza#GazaUnderAttackpic.twitter.com/13h8wG3AZ2
— WeaponsOfDestruction (@WoDSerbia) June 4, 2015
An Israeli army statement cited by Haaretz blamed Hamas for
Wednesday’s missile attack. IAF jets struck three “terror
infrastructures” in the Gaza Strip, the statement said.
The outlet reported that Hamas’ Gaza headquarters had been
evacuated prior to the strikes, but the group adamantly denied
being behind the launches. Hamas reportedly pointed a finger at
the Salafist group, accusing it of trying to provoke a new
all-out conflict in Gaza. Hamas security services had reportedly
eliminated a senior Salafist, who had been planning attacks
against the Palestinian group, just a few days before.