Israel bombed five targets in Gaza after Hamas fired more than five mortar rounds into Israel in 24 hours - an escalation attributed to Israel’s intensified efforts to detect and destroy Hamas’ underground tunnels toward and across its border. Israel’s warplanes struck five targets near the town of Rafah on Wednesday evening. No injuries have been reported yet. An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman, Lt Col Peter Lerner, said that Israel ‘will continue to operate in order to protect the civilians of Israel from all Hamas’ terrorist threats above and beneath ground. Our efforts to destroy Hamas terror tunnel networks, a grave violation of Israel’s sovereignty, will not be deterred.’ Shortly before launching the strikes, Israeli officials warned Hamas to cease firing mortars at its troops on the Gaza border or face a strong military retaliation.