Rocket launchers in Gaza. Photot: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The Israeli military hit what it described as “key terror infrastructure” in the Gaza Strip on Thursday in response to three mortar shells fired from the coastal territory at Israel the previous day. No casualties were reported in either incident.

Southern Israel has seen increased rocket and mortar fire from Gaza since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last month, infuriating the Palestinians, who envision eastern Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

After its latest retaliatory strike, the IDF stated that it “will continue to use all available means above and below ground to thwart efforts to harm the citizens of Israel.”

“We are prepared for a variety of scenarios and we will take action against every attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty,” the military added.

The IDF’s statement prompted speculation that the infrastructure targeted by Israel was a cross-border attack tunnel stretching from Gaza into Israeli territory. Israeli forces discovered and destroyed Hamas terror tunnels last December and October.

Israel holds Gaza-ruling Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from the territory, regardless of who fires the rockets. Israel typically responds to each attack.