Palestinian fighters shoot rockets at Israel, increasing the chance of intense fighting.
A man sets up caution tape following rocket launches from Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel on October 7, 2023. (Reuters)
On Saturday, militants from Gaza fired over 5,000 rockets at Israel. This triggered air raid alerts throughout the country, increasing the possibility of intense clashes.
The loud noise from the early morning attack lasted for over 30 minutes. It reached Haza, and alarms were sounding even in Tel Aviv, as per a report from The Associated Press.
A 70-year-old lady suffered severe injuries in a rocket strike on a building in southern Israel. Additionally, a 20-year-old man sustained moderate injuries from shrapnel, as reported by Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue agency.
The Defense Minister of Israel approved a request to mobilize reserve military personnel, as reported by Reuters.
The Israeli military has stated that it is targeting specific sites in the Gaza Strip. This action follows the sounding of air raid sirens in Jerusalem, prompted by the Hamas militant group announcing a new operation against Israel.
Hamas’ armed wing named this operation “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” They expressed the decision to halt what they see as Israel’s unaccountable actions and crimes. They stated, “We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel).”
It’s important to note that usually, the Israeli military responds to rocket attacks with airstrikes, which could escalate the conflict. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks.
These rocket launches happened after a period of increased tensions along Israel’s sensitive border with Gaza and intense fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to AP.
Israel has upheld a blockade over Gaza since Hamas, an Islamic militant group opposed to Israel, took control of the area in 2007. Since then, these adversaries have engaged in four wars.
The blockade has badly hurt the area’s economy. Israel claims it’s necessary to prevent militant groups from stockpiling weapons. Palestinians argue it’s punishing everyone.
The rocket attacks happened during a time of intense conflict in the West Bank, where about 200 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military actions this year, according to AP reports.
Israel says the actions target militants, but there have been civilian casualties, including innocent protesters. Palestinian assaults on Israeli targets have resulted in 30+ casualties.
Tensions have extended to Gaza, where activists linked to Hamas staged violent protests along the Israeli border recently. These protests were stopped in late September with the help of international mediation.