The Israel Air Force struck a rocket launching site in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip overnight Wednesday. Israeli daily (The Jerusalem post) quoted a spokesman of Israeli occupation forces Office as saying that direct hits were recorded on both targets and the aircraft involved in the strikes returned peacefully to their bases. The spokesman added that it was prepared to defend Israel\'s citizens and respond forcefully to all attempts to carry out any activity against them, according to the Israeli daily. The statement reiterated that the Israeli occupation forces holds Hamas responsible for all the activity emanating from Gaza, the Israeli daily added.