Israel strikes Hamas military targets in Gaza Strip after projectile fired at Israel

JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli aircraft struck Friday overnight several military targets of Hamas in the Gaza Strip hours after a projectile was fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said early Saturday in a statement that "several military targets" in a Hamas compound in the southern Gaza Strip and "underground structures" in the northern Gaza Strip were struck.

The strike was conducted in response to the projectile that was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory on Friday evening and the continued violence, including the launching of balloons carrying explosive devices and attempts to damage security infrastructure over the last days, the IDF added.

No casualties were reported by the projectile attack which fell in an open field, according to Israeli media.

"The IDF views any attempt to harm Israeli civilians with great severity, and will continue to operate with determination against these acts," the Israeli military noted.

Two suspects who infiltrated into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip were apprehended, IDF said on Friday, adding that a grenade and a knife were found in their possession and the suspects were transferred to security forces for further questioning.

One Palestinian protester was shot dead and more than 40 injured during the Gaza border clashes on Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported.