Israel bombs Gaza again

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have been rising steadily for three weeks. The last bombardment came after the Qatar envoy met with Hamas and Israeli officials to try restoring calm.

Israek struck Hamas targets in Gaza on Friday morning after six rockets were launched from the enclave during the night, according to an Israelian statement. 

The rocket fire came after the army struck an underground facility and military post belonging to Hamas earlier in the night in response to the launching of incendiary balloons from the Strip on Thursday.

A statement issued by the military said a weapons manufacturing facility was targeted with the strike.  The statement added: "IDF fighter jets, aircraft and a tank attacked an underground infrastructure and a military post" belonging to Hamas."

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have been rising steadily for three weeks. The Israeli government hardened the blockade on the Gaza Strip, with a population of 2 million, half of whom live below the poverty line.

Kerem Shalom, the only gateway for goods, was closed and fuel shipment to Palestine stopped. This resulted in the shutdown of the only power station in Gaza.

The last bombardment came after the Qatar envoy met with Hamas and Israeli officials to try restoring calm.