Israel strikes Gaza Strip amid escalating cross-border fire

Israel on Friday launched airstrikes into the Gaza Strip amid a wider exchange of fire between Israel and its adversaries to the North and South.

The attacks follow rocket strikes from militants operating out of Lebanon and Gaza on the same day, Politico reported. Israel has stated that the attacks stemmed from tensions at the Al-Asqa Mosque in Jerusalem. The building maintains significance in the Islamic faith and is often a gathering point for anti-Israeli demonstrators.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "extract a heavy price from our enemies," in a statement on the exchanges, per the outlet.

Formerly under Israeli control, the Gaza strip has largely been governed by Hamas since the Israelis evacuated the region in 2005. Lebanon, meanwhile, plays host to militant group Hezbollah, which controls much of the nation's southern territory bordering Israel.

Israeli reportedly did not immediately retaliate in Lebanon.

Also on Friday, an Israeli Arab reportedly drove a vehicle into a group of tourists, wounding five. Authorities killed the driver during the incident.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.