GAZA: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a number of military sites belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night in response to 20 fires sparked by incendiary balloons earlier in the day.

In a statement, the IDF said its fighter jets had hit military compounds operated by Hamas in Khan Yunis and Gaza City.

Several balloons were sent from Gaza into Israel earlier on Tuesday, which caused multiple fires, according to the Israeli fire service, the BBC reports.  It is the first major flare-up since 11 days of fighting between the two sides ended in a ceasefire on 21 May. It followed a march by Jewish nationalists in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, which had drawn threats from Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza.

It said "terrorist activity" took place in the compound, and that the IDF was "prepared for all scenarios, including the resumption of hostilities, in the face of continued terror acts from the Gaza Strip".

A Hamas spokesperson said in a statement on Twitter that Palestinians would continue their "valiant resistance" and defend their rights "until the occupier is expelled from our entire land". Israel's fire service said the incendiary balloons launched earlier from Gaza had caused at least 20 fires in fields by communities in southern Israel.

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