Israeli air strikes on Gaza early Tuesday resulted in the deaths of three leaders of the Islamic Jihad militant group and 10 others, including children. The pre-dawn raid lasted almost two hours and involved more than 40 Israeli jets that targeted sites throughout the crowded coastal enclave. The Gaza health ministry confirmed that four children were among the dead and 20 people were wounded. Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate and warned that all Israeli cities and settlements were now under its fire.
Violence also broke out later in the West Bank when Israeli forces launched a raid in Nablus. At least a dozen people suffered bullet wounds, according to Palestinian medics.
Key Highlights:
- Three leaders of the Islamic Jihad militant group and 10 others, including children, were killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza early Tuesday.
- The Gaza health ministry confirmed four children were among the dead and 20 people were wounded in the pre-dawn raid that involved more than 40 Israeli jets.
- Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate and warned that all Israeli cities and settlements were now under its fire. Violence also broke out later in the West Bank when Israeli forces launched a raid in Nablus.
Retaliation Vowed by Islamic Jihad
Israel’s army spokesman, Richard Hecht, confirmed that the operation had achieved its objectives, but when asked about child casualties, he responded that they would investigate the matter. Islamic Jihad confirmed that three of its senior members were killed in the air strikes. The group vowed to retaliate and warned that all Israeli cities and settlements were now under its fire. The Israeli military described Ghannan as “one of the most senior members” of Islamic Jihad, who had coordinated weapons and money transfers with Hamas. Bahtini was “responsible for the rocket fire toward Israel in the past month,” and Ezzedine had been planning “multiple attacks against Israeli civilians in the West Bank,” it charged.
Escalation in Gaza Conflict
The latest deaths bring to 121 the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so far this year. Israel and Gaza militants have fought multiple wars since Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007. Last August, a three-day conflict in Gaza left 49 Palestinians and no Israelis dead, with Cairo playing a key role in securing a ceasefire. The escalation in violence is expected to strain the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant groups in the region.