The Israeli army early on Friday tweeted that sirens were sounding in southern Israel, without providing immediate details.
Later, the IDF clarified that the sirens were activated due to incoming fire, not rockets, from Gaza.
Prior to the IDF tweet, Palestinian news agency Shehab reported that "heavy weapon fire" from Gaza could have triggered the rocket sirens, suggesting that "Hamas is testing the readiness of the Iron Dome."
The sirens that sounded in southern Israel were triggered by incoming fire, not rockets, from Gaza towards Israel.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2021
The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas had launched a rocket into Israeli territory after the IDF carried out airstrikes against what it described as Hamas military objects located in Gaza.
#شاهد الإعلام العبري: إطلاق نيران سلاح ثقيل من غزة أدت لانطلاق صفارات الإنذار قبل قليل، ويبدوا أن حمـــ ـاس تختبر جهوزية القبة الحديدية. pic.twitter.com/thkYSw9kUV
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) June 17, 2021
The IDF said the Thursday strikes were conducted in response to the launches of incendiary balloons from Gaza into Israeli territory.
The attacks come less than a month after Tel Aviv and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire, ending 11 days of rocket fire and airstrikes that killed some 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. The escalation started on 10 May, sparked after clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in Jerusalem that were set into motion by an Israeli court ruling to evict Palestinians from their homes.
The airstrikes occurred just days after Naftali Bennett, Israel's new prime minister, assumed office, after having formed a government coalition and ousting former PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
