According to Palestinian sources, at least eight people were killed in the attacks and another 55 people were injured.
(Photo: dpa)
Tel Aviv Violence in the Middle East has escalated again. After the targeted killing of a militant Palestinian leader and several Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, rockets rained down on Israel. Warning sirens could be heard in several southern towns on Saturday. According to reports from Gaza, there are said to be initial attempts at mediation by Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar.
Around 190 rockets have been fired at Israel by militant Palestinians since Friday, the Israeli military said on Saturday. They fell on open ground or were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Around 36 rockets fell within the Gaza Strip. Several cities, including the coastal city of Tel Aviv, opened public air raid shelters out of fear of further attacks.
Israel’s armed forces launched a large-scale military operation against the extremist Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad (PIJ) on Friday. Military chief Taisir al-Jabari was killed in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. According to the military, the senior commander was responsible for rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and planned attacks on civilians.
According to Palestinian sources, at least 12 people have died in the operation since Friday, including Al-Jabari, a five-year-old child and other PIJ members. 84 people were injured. The Israeli attacks also continued on Saturday.
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The Israeli military announced that in addition to military posts, two weapons production facilities and six rocket launchers had been attacked. In addition, 20 arrests were made in the West Bank during the night, 19 of which were said to be linked to Islamic Jihad.
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The group is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US. It is closely linked to Israel’s nemesis Iran and is the second-strongest military force in the coastal strip after Hamas.
No end of conflict in sight
“The fighters of Islamic Jihad are ready to continue the war,” the militant organization said on Saturday, according to media reports. 60 rockets alone have been fired at Israel since Saturday morning. They also targeted Ben-Gurion International Airport in central Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel’s army is preparing for a longer deployment. “The military is prepared for a week’s operational activity, as directed by the political level and the chief of staff,” the military said. Prime Minister Jair Lapid said on Friday: “Israel is not interested in a broad operation in Gaza, but it is not afraid of it either”. A security cabinet meeting was convened on Saturday evening.
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In 2019, Israel also specifically killed al-Jabari’s predecessor, jihadi military chief Baha Abu al-Ata. At that time there were massive rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on Israeli locations and counterattacks by the Israeli Air Force in the coastal strip. After a few days, a ceasefire was agreed with the help of Egyptian and United Nations negotiators.
Israel: There were concrete plans of attack
The escalation was preceded by the arrest on Monday of a leader of Islamic Jihad in the West Bank, Bassem Saadi. For several days, Israel cordoned off areas on the edge of the coastal strip and increased the state of alert. According to reports, there were concrete plans to attack Israeli civilians.
Israel’s armed forces fought an 11-day conflict with militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip last year. According to Palestinian information, 255 people died at the time, and 13 people died in Israel, according to Israeli authorities. According to Israeli sources, more than 4,000 rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Eventually, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israel and the ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel conquered the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, among other things. Hamas seized power by force in 2007. Israel then tightened a blockade of the area, supported by Egypt. Both countries justify the measure with security interests.
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