Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warplanes, tanks and drones attacked Hamas targets in northern Gaza on the evening of Aug. 23, in response to repeated incendiary and explosive-laden balloon attacks launched into Israel. The Israeli army said it had struck “military posts and underground infrastructure of the Hamas terror group in southern Gaza.”

According to the Israeli authorities, Gaza incendiary balloons sparked 28 fires in the south of the country on Aug. 23. Hundreds of fires have been ignited near the Israel-Gaza border since the beginning of the month. A salvo of 12 rockets and projectiles was fired at Israel on Aug. 20, with one rocket hitting and severely damaging a home in the southern town of Sderot.

The Israel-Gaza border has been quiet for almost six months, up until the beginning of August. On Aug. 11, Israel closed the commercial Kerem Shalom crossing point to all goods excluding fuel, food and humanitarian aid. It also limited Gaza's fishing zone from 15 nautical miles to 8 miles. On Aug. 13, as launching of incendiary balloons continued, Defense Minister Benny Gantz decided to halt the import of fuel as well.

According to Aug. 23 reports, Israel now also intends to restrict imports through the Erez border crossing. A security source quoted in Israeli media said, “Following the continued violation of security stability, and following the decision to close the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing with the exception of humanitarian equipment, it will be noted that the import of vehicles, which has so far been carried out through the Erez crossing, was stopped as well starting today."