Israel responds to Gaza rockets with crossings closure and airstrike

Israel closed the crossings into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and carried out an airstrike on Gaza in retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Sunday.

The IDF said in accordance with a Defense Ministry directive and "in light of security assessments," the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip and the Erez Crossing in its north have been closed for the passage of people and materials, except in cases of "medical emergency and humanitarian aid" until further notice.

The Israeli Air Force also carried out an airstrike at an alleged terror infrastructure site in the northern Gaza Strip, the statement said. No injuries were reported.

The airstrike was conducted in response to the launch of a rocket on Saturday from the Gaza Strip to the vicinity of Ashkelon, 50 km south of Tel Aviv and 13 km north of the Gaza Strip, which hit an open area and no injuries or damages were reported.

Meanwhile, as tensions across the Gaza border are on the rise, the IDF deployed more batteries of Iron Dome anti-missile batteries around Ashkelon, according to a military source.

The Saturday's rocket attack on the southern Israeli community was the third of its kind in the past two weeks, while the Israeli overnight airstrike was the second one in three days, following rocket attacks.

A Salafist organization in Gaza called "Sheikh Amar Hadid Brigades," associated with the Islamic State (IS) group, claim responsibility for Saturday's rocket attack, adding that it would continue to launch rockets toward Israel. Salafists are Sunni Muslims adhering to a strict practice of Islamic rules.

Israeli media outlets reported recent fighting between Hamas, who wishes to continue and impose the August 26 cease-fire, brought about after 51 days of fighting against Israel, and the Salafist group, which does not acknowledge Hamas' ceasefire with Israel.

On Twitter, one of the Salafist organization's activists said they also demand the release of their organization members locked up by Hamas.

Nonetheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel views Hamas as responsible for any rocket fire from the strip, as it controls the enclave.

"Israel holds Hamas responsible for all firing from the Gaza Strip at our territory." Netanyahu said at the start of weekly cabinet meeting.

He also accused the international community of being silent over Gaza rocket attack.

"I have not heard anyone in the international community condemn this firing; neither has UN said a word," he said, adding that "It will be interesting if this silence continues when we use our full strength to uphold our right to defend ourselves."

More than 2,200 Palestinians were killed in last summer's 51-day war between Israel and Hamas, with over 10,000 Palestinians displaced. On the Israeli side, nearly 80 people died in the conflict.

According to a poll published by the Midgam Institute for the Institute of Policy and Strategy on Sunday, 82 percent of the respondents believe another round of fighting between Israel and Hamas will take place. Endit