- According to Palestinian sources, several people have been killed and dozens injured in attacks by the Israeli military on the Gaza Strip.
- In addition, a military chief of the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is said to have been killed.
- The Israeli military had previously attacked several targets in the coastal strip after threats from the militant Palestinian organization.
The Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, citing the military, reported that 15 terrorists had been killed in the operation. A five-year-old child was also among the dead. According to Palestinian information, a military chief of the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Taisir al-Jabari, died in the attack, the extremist Palestinian organization said. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed his death, citing security sources.
Legend:
An injured Palestinian stands at the site hit by Israeli attacks.
EPO/MOHAMMED SABER/Keystone
The Israeli military has confirmed the attack. The Israeli military reported via the short message service Twitter that it was a reaction to threats made by the group Islamic Jihad.
On Monday, the leader of the PIJ in the West Bank, Bassem Saadi, was arrested during an Israeli anti-terrorist operation. The organisation’s military arm, Saraja al-Quds, then threatened to attack. The PIJ is closely linked to Israel’s arch-enemy Iran and regularly carries out rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military cordoned off areas on the edge of the coastal strip for several days and increased the alert.
A jihadi military chief was also killed in 2019
In 2019, Israel had already specifically killed the jihadi military chief, Baha Abu al-Ata. This was followed at the time by 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.
Around two million people live in the Gaza Strip under very poor conditions. Hamas, classified by the EU as a terrorist organization, violently seized power in 2007. Israel then tightened a blockade of the area, supported by Egypt. Both countries justify the measure with security interests.