JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's military retaliated to rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on Friday with strikes on posts used by the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules the territory. The exchange caused no casualties on either side.
The Israeli military said tanks and aircraft fired at Hamas posts soon after its Iron Dome missile defense system downed two rockets fired from Gaza en-route to the south of the country. Police said another rocket exploded in a populated area damaging a building but causing no injuries.
Hamas said there were no injuries in the strikes.
Israel holds Hamas for all attacks emanating from the territory regardless to which gunmen fire the rockets.
There has been an uptick in Gaza rocket fire since President Donald Trump on Dec. 6 abandoned decades of American policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and saying he would move the U.S. Embassy to the holy city.
Palestinians were enraged by Trump's declaration viewing it as siding with Israel on the most sensitive issue in the conflict. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said Trump's move disqualified the U.S. from continuing in its role as the traditional mediator of peace talks.
Trump said his decision merely recognizes the fact that Jerusalem already serves as Israel's capital and is not meant to prejudge the final borders of the city.