Israeli and Palestinian sources have confirmed to The Tower that Israeli Air Force jets last night struck Hamas-built tunnels in the Gaza Strip intended to be used in attacks on Israel.

Hamas announced Israel had struck “open areas” near the border – one east of Gaza City and the other in the northeast part of the coastal territory. But sources told The Tower that the Israeli aircraft struck two tunnels intended to be used against Israeli civilian or military targets in a future conflict.

Israel first targeted Gazan smuggling tunnels during Operation Cast Lead, a three-week conflict Israel fought to stop Hamas rocket fire during the winter of 2008-2009.

Over the past 24 hours Gazans have fired three Qassam rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. No organization has so far claimed responsibility. A Gaza-based Salafist group said it had been behind a mortar salvo – also fired today – that struck Israel’s western Negev area.

[Photo: JewishNewsOne / YouTube]