After the rocket barrages on northern communities: The IDF launched an attack on targets in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon last night (Friday night).
The attack began after the political-security cabinet made a series of decisions, all of which were based on recommendations from the IDF and the security forces, in response to the shooting of Israeli citizens in the north and south.
""Israel's response, tonight and beyond, will exact a significant price from our enemies," Netanyahu said.
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The extensive attack on the Gaza Strip was carried out starting at midnight in three waves in the north and south of the Strip. Among the Hamas targets attacked in the Gaza Strip: two terror tunnel routes and two weapons production sites, a shaft to an underground weapons production site, three additional weapons production sites and a terror tunnel belonging to the organization.
According to Palestinian reports, Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli aircraft after the Hamas Salah ad-Din site, west of Gaza, was shelled.
Later that night, the IDF attacked a heavy machine gun using a remotely piloted aircraft, from which projectiles were fired at IDF aircraft and Israeli territory.
After 4:00 AM, the Air Force also attacked targets in southern Lebanon.
An IDF spokesman concluded this morning that the Air Force focused on Lebanon by attacking three Hamas targets south of Rashidiya, from the area where the shooting at Israel was carried out during the holiday.
""In the Gaza Strip, we attacked about 10 targets with 50 tons of bombs, Hamas weapons production sites, a significant research and development target in Jabalia, and tunnels that approached the border fence. 44 rockets were fired from the Strip tonight - 12 of which were launched into the sea and eight were intercepted by Iron Dome. 14 fell in open areas.".
An IDF spokesman announced after 10:30 a.m. that, based on the assessment of the situation, residents of the Gaza perimeter settlements are no longer required to remain near a protected area. Upon receiving a warning, they must enter the protected area and remain there for ten minutes.
According to Channel 14's military correspondent, Hillel Biton Rosen, "This is the most significant attack against Hamas since 'Guardian of the Walls.' Hamas will lose a lot of assets tonight.".
The political-security cabinet convened last night for the first time in about two months, after the firing of 34 rockets from Lebanon into Israeli territory, the launching of mortar bombs into Metula, and in the wake of rocket fire launched from Gaza on Seder night. According to IDF estimates, Hamas is responsible for the rocket fire from Lebanon.
The meeting ended around 1:00 am.
At the beginning of the cabinet discussion, the Prime Minister said: "I have made it clear in recent days that our enemies will not deceive us. The internal debate in Israel will not prevent us from acting against them wherever and whenever necessary. All of us, without exception, are united in this.".
Netanyahu added: "As for aggression against us from various arenas - we will strike our enemies and they will pay a price for every act of aggression. Our enemies will discover once again that in moments of testing, the citizens of Israel stand united and cohesive and support the actions of the IDF and the other security forces to protect our state and our citizens.".
Regarding the clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Netanyahu said: "We have no interest in changing the status quo on the Temple Mount. We call for calm and will act firmly against extremists who resort to violence there.".
Heads of authorities in the north and south decided to open shelters in various cities following the security escalation, in coordination with the Home Front Command, and despite the fact that there are no special instructions for the public at this stage.
And these are the places that have opened shelters:
Northern Israel: Metula, Kiryat Shmona, Hatzor HaGlilit, Rosh HaPina, Safed, Afula, Tiberias, Migdal HaEmek, Nof HaGalil, Shlomi, Nahariya, Ma'alot, Acre, Karmiel, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Shmuel, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Yam, Nesher, Haifa.
South of the country: Beer Sheva, Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Yavne.
Central Israel: Rishon LeZion, Be'er Yaakov, Petah Tikva, Rosh HaAyin.
