Israel Air Force retaliating to dozens of rocket attacks; One Israeli severely injured; Two Palestinians reported dead in strikes; IDF: Terrorists in Gaza are targeting Israeli civilians. We are targeting the terrorists.
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A barrage of over 200 rockets was fired at Israel’s south from the Gaza Strip Monday evening into the night, the Israel Air Force responding with airstrikes.
The IDF initially reported 80 rockets, the number quickly rising to 200. The Iron Dome intercepted over 60 of the rockets, the IDF confirming “80+ rockets fired from Gaza at innocent Israelis. The Iron Dome intercepted several of them. We are currently striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip.” It added “Terrorists in Gaza are targeting Israeli civilians. We are targeting the terrorists.”
The IDF Spokespersons Unit later confirmed it hit over 20 targets, both Hamas and Islamic Jihad. It confirmed “We have struck 20+ Hamas & Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets throughout Gaza, including terror compounds, observation posts, rocket launching squad and additional terror targets.” The number of strikes increased to over 60 within hours.
Code Red sirens were heard though dozens of southern communities Sunday, the IDF and Homefront Command placing communities on high alert and instructed them to remain in their shelters and indoors. The IDF released footage of damages from the attacks on Israel’s southern region. On Sunday afternoon, mortar fire from the Gaza Strip hit a bus in the Sha’ar Hanegev severely injuring a 19-year old man and bus driver.
Palestinian media reported numerous strikes throughout the Strip on Monday evening with reports of two deaths.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered an emergency security meeting with Israel’s defense and military officials in Tel Aviv.
The escalation follows the death of an IDF elite unit officer who was killed in a raid in southern Gaza on Sunday. The officer’s identity has been kept classified and the IDF has provided limited details on the mission. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed the soldier’s death overnight Sunday, releasing the statement “During IDF special forces’ operational activity in Gaza, an exchange of fire broke out, during which an IDF officer was killed and an additional IDF officer was moderately injured.”
The IDF carried out strikes on multiple sites in the Gaza Strip ahead of a raid on Sunday. Six Palestinians were killed, including the deputy commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Nur Barakeh, and his aid. Rocket attacks followed the events into Monday evening.
Photo: Andrey 69/Shutterstock.com
