Jerusalem – Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile shield shot down a barrage of mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after sirens sounded in southern of Occupied Palestine, warning residents to find shelter.
“A barrage of 25 mortar shells were launched towards several sites in Israeli territory. Most of the launches were intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces Iron Dome aerial defense system,” the military said in a statement.
Tensions have been high along the border between the Israelis and Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas.
On Monday, a tank targeted an Islamic Jihad observation point in response to an explosive device being placed on the border fence.
Also a Palestinian who approached the border fence with what the Israeli army said an “intention of carrying out an attack” was killed by tank fire.
A day earlier, three members of Hamas were killed, and Israeli media said the Tuesday projectiles were a response to the attack.
At least 121 Palestinians have been killed during weeks of unrest since March 30, when Palestinians began calling to be allowed to return to their historic homelands inside Occupied Palestine.
The majority were killed during protests along the fence, including at least 61 on May 14.
Others have been killed in air strikes.
Also on Tuesday, a group of activist Palestinians were due to set sail to breach Israel's naval blockade by boat.
The destination of the boat, carrying patients needing medical care, students and job-seeking university graduates, was not announced.
The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade for more than a decade, with Israel saying it is necessary to prevent the Palestinian Hamas rulers from obtaining means to attack. Gulfnews.
