Reported by AFP on Friday (2/7/2021), security sources with Hamas said the attacks hit training sites. No casualties were reported as a result of the Israeli attack.
The Israeli army said the attack was carried out in retaliation for the fire balloons. Israel claims their attacks targeted Hamas weapons manufacturing sites.
"In response to arson balloons fired into Israeli territory today, fighter jets attacked a weapons manufacturing site belonging to the Hamas terror organization," an Israeli statement said.
On Thursday, Israel's fire service said the balloon launch from Gaza had sparked four small fires in the southern Eshkol region, on the Gaza border.
"The fire was small and harmless and was quickly brought under control," said a statement from the fire service.
"A fire investigator determined that all fires were caused by fire balloons."
There was no immediate indication of the Gaza-based group responsible for the balloon launch.
Eleven days of deadly fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and other Palestinian armed groups based in the area ended on May 21 with a ceasefire declaration.
There has been some turmoil since the ceasefire, including a series of balloon launches last month. Israel retaliated with air strikes. Following a firefight on June 18, Israel's army chief ordered troops to be prepared for a variety of scenarios, including a resumption of hostilities.
The conflict killed 260 Palestinians including several fighters, according to Gaza authorities. In Israel, 13 people were killed, including a soldier, by rockets fired from Gaza.
Israel has maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007 or since Hamas took power. This was done by Israel to detain armed groups in Gaza.
