After A Night Of Fighting With Palestinian Militants, Israel Shuts Gaza Fishing Zone

Israel shut down Gaza Strip¡¯s offshore fishing zone after a night of cross-border fighting with Palestinian militants, the most intense escalation of hostilities recently, according to AP.

Palestinian militants in Gaza shot two rockets into southern Israel. This was in retaliation to Israeli airstrikes on sites belonging to the territory¡¯s militant Hamas rulers.

AP (Representational)

The military said the Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted the two rockets that militants in Gaza launched at southern Israel. But police said rocket fallout caused damage to a house in the town of Sderot, and paramedics treated a 58-year-old man for minor wounds from exploding glass.

The Israeli army said the strikes were a response to explosive balloons launched by Hamas-affiliated group over the border, and attempts by Palestinian protesters to throw explosives at the Israel-Gaza perimeters fence and soldiers stationed along it.

AP (Representational)

Dozens of Palestinians took part in protests along the perimeter fence. The military said the protesters burned tires, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.

Israel holds Hamas, the Islamist militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, responsible for all attacks emanating from the Palestinian territory.

AP (Representational)

Incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip have caused extensive damage to Israeli fields in recent days. It comes as Hamas, like other Palestinian factions, denounced the United Arab Emirates for agreeing to formal ties with Israel.