Israeli Army destroys dozens of drone launch sites in Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces says it has struck dozens of drone launch sites in the Gaza Strip that were located on the roofs of residential buildings.

“This is another example of how the Hamas terror group uses the citizens of the Gaza Strip as a human shield,” the IDF says in a statement.

Hamas has claimed to have launched several drones at Israel since the fighting began last weekend.

“The IDF will continue its intense offensive activity, and will work to destroy the Hamas UAV array completely,” the military adds.

In the meantime, the militant wing of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, the Izz ed-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced on the Telegram channel that it had launched new rocket attacks on the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

“Al-Qassam Brigades are currently launching a major missile attack with 150 rockets on occupied Ashkelon in response to displacement and attacks on civilians,” the statement read.

In the same vein, the Israeli Defense Forces declared the city of Metula a restricted military zone, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reports with reference to the city administration.

An IDF spokesman confirmed that the town of Metula, located on the border with Lebanon, has been declared a restricted military zone.

According to the newspaper, residents of neighboring settlements are advised to refrain from traveling to the city and its environs. Local authorities are in constant contact with the military.