Israeli aircraft and tanks hit targets throughout the Gaza Strip Friday after shots were fired at troops along the border, the army said, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting three Palestinians killed.
An army statement said shots were fired at troops during renewed protests along the Gaza-Israel frontier and “in response, (Israeli) aircraft and tanks targeted military targets throughout the Gaza Strip.”
Two people were killed in a strike east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, the health ministry said.
A security source and eyewitnesses said the strike targeted an observation point of Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Gaza.
A third was killed by Israeli fire east of Rafah, also in southern Gaza, the health ministry said.
Such Hamas posts are often close to where young Palestinians attach incendiary devices to kites and balloons and fly them over the border into Israel, seeking to start fires.
Israel has pledged a tougher response to the border protests, including balloons and kites, which have been going on for months.
Last weekend saw the most severe exchange of fire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war, razing fears of another round of confrontation.
Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.
