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AFP
Upcoming balloons launched from Gaza have caused dozens of fires in Israel in recent days
Israeli leaders have warned Hamas that it risks a major escalation in the Gaza Strip by unstoppable border rockets and incendiary balloon attacks.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the Palestinian group, which controls Gaza, would suffer “a very heavy blow”.
However, a Hamas spokesman promised that he would “not hesitate to fight if the attacks and siege of Israel continue”.
During the day, militants fired 12 rockets at Israel and Israeli war plans carried out three rounds of air strikes.
Since last week, a number of rockets have been launched from Gaza along with hundreds of balloons containing explosives and incendiary devices that have caused dozens of fires in southern Israel.
Israel has responded by bombing what it says are Hamas’ military targets in Gaza.
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Reuters
Israel has responded to the attacks by bombing what it says are militant targets
Israel has also banned fishing boats from going to sea and only allows humanitarian goods through one commercial crossing of Gaza.
With no fuel supplies, the only power plant in Gaza is closed.
That left the population of the territory of 1.9 million with about four hours of electricity per day, from eight hours down.
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EPA
The only energy installation in Gaza was forced to shut down earlier this week
The number of rockets fired from Gaza from Thursday night and early Friday was the largest in 24 hours since the last round of violence began.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said nine of the 12 projectiles were intercepted.
Israeli media quoted emergency services as saying that three people were treated for shock after a house in Sderot was damaged by an unexploded rocket while a woman was injured while walking to safety.
The IDF said it was responding to a blow from a Hamas military compound used to launch missile munitions and “underground terrorism infrastructure” in Gaza.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Health on the ground did not report any casualties.
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AFP
A house in the Israeli city of Sderot was damaged, following an unexploded ordnance.
After being informed by Israeli commanders on Friday, Mr Gantz said: “The IDF is ready, defending and will continue to protect the inhabitants of the south, attack those who attack us, and cause them great harm. . “
“The people of Gaza,” he added, “are suffering because of Hamas.”
Armed Palestinian factions in Gaza, of which Hamas is a part, took joint responsibility for the rocket fire, saying they “respond and will respond to any attack on the Palestinian people.”
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Reuters
Israel’s Iron Dome anti – missile system intercepted missiles at Ashkelon on Sunday
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the group “will not dare to fight a battle with the enemy as the escalation continues, as the bombings and blockades continue”.
“If the Israeli occupation continues its aggression … it will have to pay the price,” he added.
Egyptian mediators have held talks in Gaza and Israel has repaid rest.
Analysts say Hamas is trying to pressure Israel to ease its blockade of Gaza and secure more financial aid from Qatar.
Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on land, sea and air in Gaza when Hamas strengthened its power over the territory in 2007 by expelling its rivals, a year after winning legislative elections. The two countries say the blockade is for self-defense.
