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Hamas Launches 45 Rockets and Mortars at Israel Overnight

Hamas launched 45 rockets and mortar shells into Israel overnight, prompting retaliatory strikes targeting the terror group’s infrastructure, The Times of Israel reported Wednesday.

At least six of the rockets were reported to have landed in Israeli communities bordering the Gaza Strip. One landed near a kindergarten, with most of the others reportedly landing in nearby open fields. Seven of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system, and three were reported to have fallen short and landed in Gaza.

The IDF said that it struck 25 Hamas targets, including “targets in Hamas-owned military compounds and a Hamas underground training facility.”

“Another one of Hamas’ rockets hit another Israeli kindergarten. Luckily, again, no kids were there at the time and there were no casualties,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, Head of the International and Social Media Branch. He noted that it was the second time recently that a Hamas rocket landed near a kindergarten. Last month, a rocket that was part of an unusually heavy barrage landed near a kindergarten. No one was in the building at the time.

The Times said that though there were no reported injuries, residents of the communities bordering on Gaza spoke of damage to “a number of buildings and cars.”

On Tuesday, Gazans attempted to fly incendiary kites and balloons into Israel, starting roughly 20 brush fires.

The IDF reported, “Over the last 75 days Hamas has flown approximately 700 arson kites and incendiary balloons towards Israeli civilians. In the process, they have started more than 400 fires and burned 6100 acres of land, jeopardizing Israeli livelihoods and targeting Israel’s food supply. However, it’s more than that. These kites and balloons have cost Israelis millions of dollars and could have cost Israeli lives.”

[Photo: Noticias de Israel / YouTube]