An Israeli airstrike against a Gaza crew launching incendiary devices killed a member of the militant group Hamas and wounded three others, Israeli and Palestinian officials said Thursday, ABC News reported.
Palestinians launched mortars at Israel immediately after the strike and siren warnings of incoming rockets later wailed in parts of southern Israel close to the border. Israel deployed tank fire at Hamas positions in response, the military said.
Israel's military said it targeted militants "launching arson balloons." It said the military "will continue to operate decisively against Hamas led terror activities and views any kind of this activity with great severity."
Hamas said the man killed was a member of a "special force" tasked with monitoring the Gaza border fence. It did not elaborate or mention if he had participated in launching incendiary devices.
