Israel says strikes Hamas' sites after explosive balloons attacks from Gaza

Israel said on Thursday that it had struck Hamas' sites in the Gaza Strip after militants in the Palestinian enclave launched explosive balloons into southern Israel.

The attack was carried out overnight by Israeli war jets and tanks, the army said in a short notice.

"The targets of the strike included a military compound used by the Hamas naval force, underground infrastructure and observation posts," the statement read.

The army warned that it holds Hamas, ruler of Gaza, "responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it."

Dozens of balloons carrying explosive or incendiary materials have been flown into southern Israel over the past days, causing local fires.

In response, Israel also closed Kerem Shalom, Gaza's main goods crossing, halted fuel supply and reduced Gaza's fishing zone.

Commentators on Palestinian and Israeli media said the balloons often aim to pressure Israel to allow the transfer of Qatari money to Gaza amid an escalating financial and humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israel and Hamas had fought three rounds of war with occasional bursts of violence between them. Over the past months, both sides kept an unofficial cease-fire.

(CGTN)