TEL AVIV, November 11. /TASS/. Planes of the Israeli Air Force have struck almost 5,000 targets during the ground military operation in the Gaza Strip against the radical Palestinian organization Hamas, the army press service reported.

"Since the beginning of ground operations in Gaza, the Air Force, with the assistance and direction of the ground forces, has struck approximately 5,000 targets in the Gaza Strip to eliminate threats in real time," the statement said.

This figure includes some 3,300 strikes carried out by fighter jets, 860 strikes by combat helicopter and more than 570 strikes involving drones, the army added.

"These strikes assist the ground forces in dealing with threats and coordinating firepower in a short time, with the shortest time measured being six minutes from the moment of the call to the strike," the military said.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.