Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza

Israeli warplanes last night carried out airstrikes in several sites across the Gaza Strip, local security sources said.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported no casualties, but farmers said the strikes caused much damage to their farms, particularly those in the eastern area of the Strip.

According to Israeli media, the occupation army claimed the strikes came in response to incendiary balloons being released from Gaza.

The Israeli occupation army also claimed that the airstrikes targeted a tunnel and a weapons factory in the coastal enclave which has been under a strict Israeli siege for 14 years.

READ: Israel attacks on high rises in Gaza violated international laws of war

This escalation came following an Israeli attack on a peaceful Palestinian demonstration organised on Friday in the east of the Gaza City to call for lifting the siege.

During the demonstration, Israeli occupation forces opened fire and wounded 41 Palestinians. A Palestinian security officer then opened fire at the Israeli occupation forces, shooting and injuring a soldier.