IDF said to strike Hamas border post after apparent balloon attack from Gaza

Young Palestinian men prepare a flammable object to be flown toward Israel, near the Israel-Gaza border east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 18, 2020.

Times of Israel reports, “The Israeli military fired a shell at a Hamas observation post along the Gaza border Sunday afternoon, apparently in response to the launching of a balloon-borne explosive device from the Strip, Palestinian media reported Sunday. There were no immediate reports of Palestinian injuries. An explosives-laden balloon had earlier detonated over Sderot in southern Israel, causing no injuries or damage, according to Israeli media reports. The Sderot municipality said it was aware of the reports regarding the explosion, but was unable to locate the source of the blast.”

“On Friday, police sappers were scrambled in the coastal city of Ashdod after an explosive device tied to a bunch of balloons was found near the town’s promenade.” (more…)