Jerusalem, Jul 14 (IANS): The Israeli army said on Saturday that it has bombed Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, including two tunnels, in response to the launch of 31 projectiles.

From Friday night till early Saturday morning, anti-aircraft alarms were sounded intermittently in Sdot HaNegev, Hof Ashkelon, Eshkol and Shaar HaNeguev due to shelling from the coastal enclave, six of which were intercepted by the Israeli anti-missile system Iron Dome, reports Efe news.

"The strike was conducted in response to the terror acts instigated during the violent riots along the security fence yesterday, in addition to the continuous arson attacks damaging Israeli land on a daily basis," said the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

At around 1.30 a.m., and after the firing of 17 shells, the Israeli army reported the destruction of a tunnel in southern Gaza in addition to several military positions, including a complex allegedly used to prepare incendiary attacks and a training facility.

The alarms sounded again in Shaar HaNegev between 2-3 a.m. due to the launch of 14 other missiles to which Israeli planes responded by bombing a second tunnel north of the enclave.

The IDF added that "Hamas is responsible for all events transpiring in and emanating from the Gaza Strip and will bear the consequences for the terror it has waged against Israeli civilians".