Israel Air Force helicopter on maneuvers (Illustration) Photo: Dave Bender

Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip reported Tuesday that they fired a ground-to-air missile at an Israel Air Force helicopter over the coastal enclave.

The shoulder-fired weapon missed its intended target, an Apache flying over the northern end of the area in the early-morning hours, the sources said, according to Israel’s Ma’ariv daily.

However, the aircraft abruptly changed course and left the area in the wake of the attempted hit, according to the report. Palestinian eyewitnesses on the ground said they saw the smoke trail the missile left in the air.

Hamas terror operatives later on warned that the act would provoke an Israeli retaliation, and instructed people to seek shelter, according to the report.

Palestinians on Wednesday fired five rockets and mortar shells into Israel since midnight, according to an Israel army spokesman. There were no reports of physical injuries or damage.

Earlier unconfirmed Palestinian reports said the air force struck dozens of targets across the Strip.