Palestinian militants fired several rockets at Israel in a surprise attack. According to the Israeli army, several armed Palestinians entered Israeli territory.
Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip unexpectedly fired dozens of rockets at targets in Israel on Saturday morning. Warning sirens sounded in several cities across the country, the army said. A house was also hit in Tel Aviv. Israel is currently celebrating the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Joy of Torah). According to the Israeli army, several armed Palestinians also entered Israeli territory. Palestinian Hamas said it had launched a “military operation” against Israel. It was decided to put an end to Israeli “crimes”, said military chief Mohammed Deif.
The Israeli military said on Saturday that several terrorists were in Israeli territory and appealed to residents of border towns on the edge of the coastal strip to remain in their homes. Eyewitnesses reported exchanges of gunfire in the street. It was not clear how the attackers from the Gaza Strip managed to breach the tightly guarded border. Among other things, a video that circulated on social media showed a hang glider. However, this could not initially be independently verified.
The massive rocket attacks also hit a house in the Israeli coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv. An Israeli army spokesman confirmed this after warning sirens sounded in the Mediterranean city. A resident reported a serious explosion. It was initially unclear whether anyone was injured.
Tense situation in the West Bank
The massive attack from the Gaza Strip came as a surprise. However, the situation, especially in the occupied West Bank, has recently worsened again. Four Palestinians have been killed there since Thursday in their own attacks or in clashes with the army.
The security situation in Israel and the West Bank has long been tense. Since the beginning of the year, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian have been killed in attacks. During the same period, more than 200 Palestinians died in Israeli military operations, clashes or following their own attacks.
Dispute for the capital Jerusalem
Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Palestinians claim these areas for an independent state of Palestine, with Arab-dominated eastern Jerusalem as their capital.
There were several violent protests on the Gaza border last month. Explosive devices were also thrown at soldiers and several Palestinians were injured by gunfire. In light of the incidents, the Israeli air force has repeatedly attacked posts belonging to the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.
According to the UN, more than two million people live in very precarious conditions in the Gaza Strip. Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the EU, USA and Israel, violently seized exclusive power in 2007. Israel then strengthened the blockade of the coastal area, supported by Egypt. (APA)