(IDF Spokesperson)

On Friday, December 19, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel, the third projectile launched at Israel since the IDF’s most recent operation. The rocket hit an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council, which suffered loss of civilian life during Operation Protective Edge. In response, the Israeli Air Force hit a Hamas terror site in southern Gaza.

During Operation Protective Edge, the IDF took action in Gaza to stop incessant rocket attacks from Gaza and stop the threat posed by underground terror tunnels. As a part of the battles that took place across Gaza, civilian structures were targeted because they were used by the terrorists to attack IDF troops.

In order to aid in the reconstruction of the coastal enclave, Israel began to facilitate the transport of construction materials into the Gaza Strip in mid-October. Only two months later, reports indicate that Hamas has resumed investment in its terror infrastructure. Israeli media report that Hamas has started to take advantage of the import of iron and other “dual-use” materials to rebuild its rocket and missile arsenal, as well as its terror tunnel system.


  Inside a Hamas terror tunnel
  Copyright: IDF Spokesperson

As a part of Operation Protective Edge, 32 Hamas terror tunnels were discovered and destroyed by the IDF. According to Palestinian sources published in the Israeli media, the Hamas terrorist organization has diverted some of these materials imported from Israel - along with other black market materials - to rehabilitate the destroyed terror tunnels. Furthermore, Hamas recently launched a series of rocket and missile tests and has reportedly begun manufacturing new rockets.