Israel's military confirmed on Sunday that it had struck a military base of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip, hours after arson balloons were launched into southern Israel.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that Israeli war jets attacked a Hamas base which contained "infrastructure and means used for terror activity."

The base was located near civilian sites, including a school, the spokesperson said.

"The strikes were made in response to the arson balloons fired toward Israeli territory," the statement read. 

Israel's Fire Department said in a statement that the balloons, which were attached with incendiary materials, sparked three fires in southern Israel, causing no injuries. 

The Israeli military warned it will "continue to respond firmly against terror attempts from the Gaza Strip." 

The latest violence came amid the Egyptian-brokered efforts to establish a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which clashed for 11 days May 10-21, during which 256 Palestinians in Gaza and 13 people in Israel were killed. 

Also on Sunday, Israel reduced the fishing zone offshore Gaza from 12 nautical miles to 6. 

Hamas warning about escalation of tension

The Hamas warned on Sunday that Israel's tightening of its blockade on the Gaza Strip will only lead to rising tension. 

"More Israeli restrictions and tightening the siege on Gaza will only generate an explosion in the face of the occupant," said Hamas' spokesperson in Gaza Abdulatif al-Qanou'a. 

"Ending and defying the siege that has been imposed on the Gaza Strip for about 15 years is a natural right for the Palestinian people," he said. 

The spokesperson urged Israel to end the blockade of the Palestinian enclave and respect the previous understandings that Egypt brokered between Israel and Palestinian factions, including Hamas. 

The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007, when the Hamas took over control of the coastal enclave. 

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(With input from Xinhua)