According to the London-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Israel conducted an aerial strike against Islamic State targets, in what was said to be a response for two rockets launched from the Egyptian territory toward Israel’s southern communities. The report cited tribal factions from the northern Sinai Peninsula claiming, “Israeli jets were seen flying in the area shortly after the missile launches.” The report further stated that the Israeli fighter-jets conducted retaliation strikes only after the Egyptian air force completed its own sorties in the area of Rafah, which is located adjacent to the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip.
The Sinai branch of the Islamic State, Willayat Sinai, claimed responsibility for the rocket launches toward Israel’s south, yet made no mention of any Israeli retaliation strikes. Israeli and Egyptian defense officials declined to comment on the matter.