Israeli jets retaliate in Gaza strike

CITY: Israeli fighter planes launched more air strikes on Gaza after militants in the Palestinian territory again set off incendiary balloons into southern Israel.

The fire balloons and air strikes are the latest violence heaping pressure on a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers that came into place on May 21, ending 11 days of heavy fighting.

“Over the past day, arson balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory,” Israel’s military said.

“In response … fighter jets struck military compounds and a rocket launch site belonging to the Hamas terror organisation.”

After the air strikes, Hamas militants opened fire with machine guns as Israeli warning air raid sirens rang out.

Palestinian militants in Gaza launched balloons for a third day running, according to Israeli firefighters battling the blazes sparked by the devices.

The balloons are basic devices intended to set fire to farmland surrounding Gaza.