Israel bombs Gaza in response to burning kites

Gaza:- Israeli warplanes on Monday conducted strikes in the northern Gaza Strip in response to incendiary kites being sent into Israeli territory, the army said.

The attacks targeted two Hamas military sites and a munitions manufacturing site, the military said in a statement, without specifying whether the raids had resulted in casualties.

Colourful kites decorated with flags, slogans and patterns have become a symbol of resistance in the face of overwhelming Israeli military force during weeks of demonstrations.

Some with flaming tails have also been flown towards Israeli territory, causing several fires in farmlands and forests adjacent to Gaza and prompting Israeli officials to warn that kite fliers risk being targeted by snipers.

The Israeli army on Saturday wounded two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip attempting to launch incendiary balloons across the border into Israel, officials said.

According to Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, 400 kites have been intercepted from some 600 launched since the start of the recent protests.

Fishing for drones: How Gaza's kite fliers are taking on Israel with nets 

At least 130 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire in the same time span. No Israelis have been killed.

Palestinians are calling to return to the homes their families fled or were forced from in 1948 during the war surrounding the creation of Israel.

The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Islamist movement Hamas which Israel considers its chief enemy.

The two sides have fought three wars since 2008 and observe a tense ceasefire.