In a shocking turn of events, Palestinian militants carried out an unprecedented infiltration into Israel, launching dozens of rockets early on Saturday. This incident has escalated tensions in the region and prompted Israel to declare a ‘state of war.’ The series of infiltrations and rocket attacks have left one woman dead and several others injured. The situation is fraught with danger, raising concerns about further escalations in hostilities.
Escalating Tensions
The Israeli military reported that “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory.” In response, they initiated strikes on targets within the Gaza Strip, as air raid sirens blared across Jerusalem. Amateur videos posted on social media depicted uniformed gunmen within the Israeli border town of Sderot, with the sounds of gunfire echoing in the background.
During the early morning barrage that lasted more than 30 minutes, sounds of outgoing rockets whooshing through the air were heard in Gaza. Sirens wailed as far away as Tel Aviv, which is approximately 70 kilometers north of Gaza. Amid this chaos, Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue agency reported that a 70-year-old woman was critically injured when a rocket hit a building in southern Israel. Additionally, a 20-year-old man sustained moderate injuries from rocket shrapnel.
In an unusual public statement, Mohammed Deif, the elusive leader of Hamas’ military wing, announced the launch of a new military operation against Israel. Deif claimed that 5,000 rockets had been fired into Israel as part of “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.” He called on all Palestinians to confront Israel, stating, “We’ve decided to say enough is enough.”
Deif, who has survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts, typically avoids public appearances. His message was delivered via a recording, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
Roots of the Conflict
The recent rocket launches followed weeks of heightened tensions along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza and heavy fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, leading to devastating economic consequences. The blockade restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, causing severe hardships for its residents. While Israel argues that the blockade is necessary to prevent militant groups from building up their arsenals, Palestinians view it as collective punishment.
The situation has been further complicated by clashes in the West Bank, where nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military raids this year. The raids, while aimed at militants, have resulted in casualties among stone-throwing protesters and uninvolved individuals. Simultaneously, Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets have claimed over 30 lives.
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