Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes early Wednesday on positions in the Gaza Strip belonging to the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
The Israeli army said in a statement that it targeted Hamas compounds, including in the al-Yarmouk area east of Khan Younis city. It also bombed a position in the Zeitoun neighborhood.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has not provided any information on whether there are any casualties.
Read more: Israeli fighter jets bomb Syria, kill 11 troops
First attack since cease-fire
The Israeli army also said in its statement that the airstrike was carried out in response to the sending of incendiary balloons from Gaza into southern Israel.
The airstrikes were the first since a cease-fire was reached between Israel and Hamas on May 21.
#GazaUnderAttack again tonight
Israeli military air strikes taking place on Khan Younis city, in southern Gaza Strip.
Ceasefire…? pic.twitter.com/EWWlfh5Wi9
— Declan Kearney (@DeclanKearneySF) June 15, 2021
An Egyptian-brokered truce that took effect in the early hours of May 21 ended Israel’s 11-day bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank killed at least 289 people, including women and children, and left behind a trail of destruction. Health centers and media offices as well as schools were among the structures targeted.
Flag march protest
At least 33 Palestinians were wounded on Tuesday, June 15, in clashes with Israeli police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse Palestinians protesting against the far-right settlers’ flag march in the occupied East Jerusalem.
Police also detained some Palestinians as they dispersed the groups outside Damascus Gate of the occupied Jerusalem’s Old City.
A controversial flag march organized by Israeli far-right settlers reached the Damascus Gate earlier Tuesday, Israeli media reported.
Read more: Netanyahu removed as Israel marks end of an era
According to the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronoth, the march began from HaNevi’im street in West Jerusalem.
It said around 5,000 Israelis are participating in the march – including lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right extremist from the Religious Zionist Party.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk