Benjamin Netanyahu threatens WAR with Hamas following fresh rocket attacks


Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened a war between Israel and Hamas after his country was hit by rockets fired from Gaza for the second straight day. 

The Israeli military said that 20 ‘projectiles’ were fired at its territory by the Islamic Jihad group on Monday, 18 of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome defences.

The clashes began on Sunday after a Palestinian militant was shot while trying to plant an explosive device along the Gaza border fence.

Israeli soldiers then used a bulldozer to move his body, prompting outrage from militants who fired missiles back. Israel also bombed militant targets in Gaza and Syria overnight.  

Israel was hit by around 20 rockets fired from Gaza (pictured) on Monday, the second straight day of attacks – prompting Benjamin Netanyahu to threaten war on Hamas

The Israeli military struck targets in Gaza in retaliation for the latest rocket barrage, including in the city of Khan Yunis (pictured)

The Israeli military struck targets in Gaza in retaliation for the latest rocket barrage, including in the city of Khan Yunis (pictured)

Smokes and flames rise after Israeli airstrikes hit Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Monday morning

Smokes and flames rise after Israeli airstrikes hit Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Monday morning

Pictures from Monday’s rocket attacks showed one had landed in an Israeli children’s playground, though no injuries were reported.

Videos meanwhile showed Israelis running into bomb shelters as sirens sounded. 

Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio, Netanyahu revealed he told Hamas that if it did not stop the militants behind the attacks, Israel would target Hamas directly.

‘If you don’t shoot them, we will shoot you. I’m talking about a war,’ he said. ‘I’m not looking for a war. But we have prepared something you can’t even imagine.’

Netanyahu’s interview was interrupted with news of fresh air raid sirens warning of incoming rockets, as Palestinian militant fire resumed midday after a morning lull.

Monday’s attacks came after the Islamic Jihad group fired at least 20 rockets on Sunday in retaliation for Israeli forces killed a Palestinian militant.

The attacker had been trying to place a bomb along the Israel-Gaza barrier fence, before his body was removed with a bulldozer. 

The clashes began on Sunday after a Palestinian militant was killed while trying to plant a bomb along the Gaza border fence and was shot dead

The clashes began on Sunday after a Palestinian militant was killed while trying to plant a bomb along the Gaza border fence and was shot dead

Israeli soldiers used a bulldozer to move the would-be bomber's body, prompting outrage and a volley of rocket fire in response

Israeli soldiers used a bulldozer to move the would-be bomber’s body, prompting outrage and a volley of rocket fire in response

Palestinians set fire to mounds of tyres as they protest along the Gaza border fence, shortly before the bomber was shot dead

Palestinians set fire to mounds of tyres as they protest along the Gaza border fence, shortly before the bomber was shot dead

The image outraged Palestinians who fired rockets. Israel responded by striking militants targets in Gaza and Syria.  

In a rare acknowledgement of operations in Syria, Israel said on Sunday that its warplanes attacked targets south of Damascus in addition to sites in the Gaza Strip. 

Syria reported an Israeli attack near Damascus International Airport and said its air defences confronted Israeli rockets coming from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 

It said the defenders intercepted or shot down most of them.

Residents said multiple explosions shook Damascus for about 15 minutes as air defences fired back. 

Israel said its strikes ‘were carried out in response to the attempted attack this morning on the security fence (in Gaza) and the launching of rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israel.’

It said the sites attacked were used for ‘research and development of armaments’ that are manufactured in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It said the sites also produce dozens of kilograms of rocket fuel each month. 

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian conflict, said the explosions resulted from Israeli bombing of suspected Iranian-backed militias in the vicinity of Damascus International Airport.

Israel said 18 out of 20 rockets fired on Monday were intercepted by its Iron Dome defences, while one landed in an empty children's playing area (pictured)

Israel said 18 out of 20 rockets fired on Monday were intercepted by its Iron Dome defences, while one landed in an empty children’s playing area (pictured)

People inspect damage at a kindergarten in the southern Israeli city of Sderot after it was hit by rockets fired from Gaza

People inspect damage at a kindergarten in the southern Israeli city of Sderot after it was hit by rockets fired from Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured on the West Bank today) threatened war with Hamas if the group, which controls Gaza, cannot stop the rocket attacks

Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured on the West Bank today) threatened war with Hamas if the group, which controls Gaza, cannot stop the rocket attacks

Israel frequently strikes at targets inside Syria, but has largely refrained from public admissions of its covert military operations there.

Iran is an ally of Damascus and has offered military advisers and sent militiamen and material support to help President Bashar Assad’s government forces in the nine-year civil war.

Israel considers Iran a national security threat and says it won’t tolerate Iran’s presence on its borders.

In November, Israel targeted two senior Islamic Jihad commanders in a simultaneous attack, killing one in the Gaza Strip and missing the second in Syria.

At the time, Israeli warplanes fired three missiles at the home of Akram al-Ajouri, a member of Islamic Jihad’s leadership living in exile.

He was not harmed, but his son and granddaughter were killed.

Sunday's rocket attacks on Israel prompted the state to strike targets in Gaza and Syria overnight which they said are linked to Palestinian militants

Sunday’s rocket attacks on Israel prompted the state to strike targets in Gaza and Syria overnight which they said are linked to Palestinian militants

The smoke trail of a rocket, fired by Palestinian militants, flying over the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants in Gaza pounded Israel with rockets Sunday after Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian suspected of placing a bomb near the border

The smoke trail of a rocket, fired by Palestinian militants, flying over the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants in Gaza pounded Israel with rockets Sunday after Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian suspected of placing a bomb near the border