The Israeli Air Force struck three suspected terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip early this morning in response to a rocket fired from the region, it has been confirmed.

According to the IDF, the airstrikes destroyed a weapons arsenal, a weapon-making facility, and a terrorist site. This took place after a Hamas-launched rocket exploded in an open area in the Sdot Negev region in southern Israel late Thursday night.

An army spokesperson said: “Direct hits were confirmed. Israelis cannot be held at the mercy of these hideous terrorists operating from Hamas Gaza strip.

“The bases of Gaza terrorism and its industry of death will not be immune while our citizens are being attacked.”

Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon added: “We will not tolerate rocket fire towards Israel or any attempt to return to the situation before Operation Pillar of Defence”, referring to events in 2012 that saw more than 100 rockets launched at Israel in a 24-hour period.