Israel pounds Gaza, halts fuel supply

Israel attacked targets of Islamist group Hamas in Gaza and halted fuel supplies to the enclave yesterday in the latest retaliation against fire bombs suspended from balloons that have been released from the Palestinian territory.

Israeli warplanes and tanks struck overnight in the fourth military attack over the past week, causing no reported casualties but leaving one unexploded missile inside a UN-run school's compound in Gaza's Shati refugee camp.

Adnan Abu Hasna, spokesman for UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinians, also told AFP the missile had come down in one of its schools, where children had just returned Sunday after a five-month suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The latest round of hostilities has seen firebombs attached to bunches of balloons floating into Israel, setting agricultural fields and scrubland ablaze. Sometimes kites are used in the makeshift attacks. Israeli fire services in the south of the country reported 60 fires caused by balloons on Tuesday, and 24 on Wednesday, without recording any casualties.

In response, Israel has closed its cargo crossing with Gaza and also reduced the territory's permitted coastal fishing zone.

Hamas yesterday condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza and its sanctions as "dangerous and aggressive behaviour".

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.