IAF Counterstrike (Gaza)
IAF Counterstrike (Gaza)Israel news photo: Flash 90

Over the course of Friday afternoon and early evening (Israel time), IAF aircraft targeted terrorists as they were preparing to launch rockets at Israel from three separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesperson said.

According to the statement, direct hits were confirmed at the targets. Military sources said, however, that moments after one of the incidents, a rocket was fired at Israel from the location that was targeted.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel,” the IDF’s statement said. “The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.”

Meanwhile, terrorists continued to launch rockets and missiles at southern Israel throughout the day. Army Radio is reporting that at least 22 rockets and missiles were fired at Israel on Friday, with the latest Grad missiles having exploded near Moshav Be’er Tuvia. Two other rockets exploded in open areas near Ashdod.

There were no reports of physical injuries or damage in these attacks.

Earlier on Friday, IAF warplanes targeted two weapons manufacturing sites in central Gaza, and 'terror activity' sites in both northern and southern Gaza. Hits were confirmed.

These attacks were launched in response to the terror attacks executed against Israel in the last 24 hours, which have claimed 9 lives -- 8 in Thursday's successive attacks and 1 in Friday’s Ashdod rocket attacks.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)