According to the service, upon further investigation, officials detected a total of five rockets that were reportedly launched from the Gaza Strip and into Israeli territory.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 6, 2019
Officials have not yet offered any details on whether the incident has resulted in any injuries or deaths; however, social media posts suggest that a fire did break out as a result of the rocket launch.
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) September 6, 2019
Shortly after acknowledging that five rockets were launched toward Israeli territory, the IDF issued an update, revealing that Israeli officials retaliated against the strike by targeting multiple Hamas locations in northern Gaza.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 6, 2019
The rocket deployment comes hours after two Palestinian teenagers were reportedly killed Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers along the Gaza border. According to the Times of Israel, the teens, aged 17 and 14, died as a result of fatal shots to the neck and stomach, respectively. An estimated 66 individuals were injured in the latest "March of Return" demonstrations. Thirty-three of the participants received injuries as a result of live fire.
In a statement to the outlet, IDF officials described the demonstrations as being "especially violent," noting that they saw a "large number of explosive devices, hand grenades and fire bombs" being thrown toward the border fence and at IDF soldiers.
Following news of the teenagers' deaths, Hamas, the militant organization that governs Gaza, issued a release blaming Israel for the shootings. The Kan public broadcaster quoted Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem as saying that "Israel will bear the consequences of this crime."
