Israeli army bombs Hamas site after balloons start fires

The Israeli army said its fighter jets bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Friday in retaliation for balloon attacks launched from the Palestinian territory, casting further doubt on a recent cease-fire between the two sides.

“In response to the arson balloons launched from Gaza toward Israel today, IDF fighter jets struck a weapons manufacturing site used to research and develop weapons belonging to Hamas tonight,” the Israel Defense Forces tweeted. “The IDF will respond firmly against terror attempts from Gaza,” the army said. 

There were no reports of injuries or casualties from the bombing, which came a day after balloons sent from Gazan territory caused four fires along Israel’s southern border. 

Hamas, the militant Islamist group that rules Gaza, confirmed the bombing. Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, described Israel’s retaliatory strikes as a "showy reaction.”