5 may 2019
Ashkelon hospital also sustains direct hit; IDF deploys Armored Corps brigade 'preparing for escalation'; IAF striking homes of mid-level Hamas, Jihad commanders; IDF denies killing woman and baby, says deaths caused by Gaza rocket; some 450 rockets fired at Israeli communities since Saturday morning
Two people were killed Sunday when rockets fired from Gaza directly hit a factory in the southern city of Ashkelon, as a massive barrage against southern and central Israel continued for the second day. A third person sustained serious wounds.
A third man was killed near Sderot, when a rocket slammed into his vehicle. The 60-year-old was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The deaths came hours after an earlier rocket strike on Ashkelon claimed the life of 58-year-old father of four Moshe Agadi.
Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon also sustained a direct hit to its oncology unit, but there were no injuries.
Bracing for further escalation with Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces ordered the deployment of a brigade from the Armored Corps along the border on Sunday morning, after a weekend of violence in which 450 rockets were launched at Israel. The IDF retaliated with a wave of air strikes against terror targets that was still continuing Sunday.
"We are preparing for several days like this," said IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, several hours after 58-year-old Moshe Agadi was killed by a rocket in Ashkelon – the first Israeli fatality in rocket fire since the 2014 Gaza war.
"The enemy has fired about 450 rockets at Israel, mainly by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in a coordinated manner," said Manelis. "We have intercepted more than 150 rockets in several built-up areas. Civilians are required to act when the sirens sound as part of the layers of defense provided by the IDF. It has proven itself to save lives. More than 70% of the rocket fire (has hit) open areas. "
"We gave an order to deploy a brigade that will mobilize in the coming hours," Manelis said, adding that the brigade will join the Gaza Division "as an available offensive force and not to reinforce defenses."
Manelis said that the army was also targeting installations in Gaza, which he called "real estate targets with terrorist infrastructure, including high-rise buildings."
He said that the IDF had also struck "an underground site for the manufacture of weapons, as well as stores of small and specialist anti-tank and naval weaponry."
The general said that no civilians were harmed when the IDF took out weapon caches hidden in their homes.
Since the early hours of Sunday, the Israel Air Force has been striking the private homes of the mid-level Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders. According to the IDF, more than 30 houses were being targeted across the Strip, including in areas such as Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south and Shati in the north. Some of the houses contained weaponry, the army said.
The IDF said that it is taking the approach that those who command rocket fire against Israeli homes will not find a home of their own to return to.
Following Manelis' comments, Hamas hardened its own position, declaring itself "ready to fight until the last moment."
The Islamic Jihad also struck a defiant note, vowing that "the Palestinian resistance will not give up its right to respond to Israel's crimes and to protect our people - children, babies, women and old people - whose blood is spilled by terrorist murderers... We will resist forcefully until the aggression stops."
Two people were killed Sunday when rockets fired from Gaza directly hit a factory in the southern city of Ashkelon, as a massive barrage against southern and central Israel continued for the second day. A third person sustained serious wounds.
A third man was killed near Sderot, when a rocket slammed into his vehicle. The 60-year-old was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The deaths came hours after an earlier rocket strike on Ashkelon claimed the life of 58-year-old father of four Moshe Agadi.
Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon also sustained a direct hit to its oncology unit, but there were no injuries.
Bracing for further escalation with Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces ordered the deployment of a brigade from the Armored Corps along the border on Sunday morning, after a weekend of violence in which 450 rockets were launched at Israel. The IDF retaliated with a wave of air strikes against terror targets that was still continuing Sunday.
"We are preparing for several days like this," said IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, several hours after 58-year-old Moshe Agadi was killed by a rocket in Ashkelon – the first Israeli fatality in rocket fire since the 2014 Gaza war.
"The enemy has fired about 450 rockets at Israel, mainly by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in a coordinated manner," said Manelis. "We have intercepted more than 150 rockets in several built-up areas. Civilians are required to act when the sirens sound as part of the layers of defense provided by the IDF. It has proven itself to save lives. More than 70% of the rocket fire (has hit) open areas. "
"We gave an order to deploy a brigade that will mobilize in the coming hours," Manelis said, adding that the brigade will join the Gaza Division "as an available offensive force and not to reinforce defenses."
Manelis said that the army was also targeting installations in Gaza, which he called "real estate targets with terrorist infrastructure, including high-rise buildings."
He said that the IDF had also struck "an underground site for the manufacture of weapons, as well as stores of small and specialist anti-tank and naval weaponry."
The general said that no civilians were harmed when the IDF took out weapon caches hidden in their homes.
Since the early hours of Sunday, the Israel Air Force has been striking the private homes of the mid-level Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders. According to the IDF, more than 30 houses were being targeted across the Strip, including in areas such as Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south and Shati in the north. Some of the houses contained weaponry, the army said.
The IDF said that it is taking the approach that those who command rocket fire against Israeli homes will not find a home of their own to return to.
Following Manelis' comments, Hamas hardened its own position, declaring itself "ready to fight until the last moment."
The Islamic Jihad also struck a defiant note, vowing that "the Palestinian resistance will not give up its right to respond to Israel's crimes and to protect our people - children, babies, women and old people - whose blood is spilled by terrorist murderers... We will resist forcefully until the aggression stops."
The Israeli army continued, on Sunday at dawn, the bombardment and shelling of several parts of the Gaza Strip, inflicting more injuries among the Palestinians, and serious property damage, just hours after the army killed four Palestinians, including a baby, and her mother who was also pregnant.
Media sources said the army fired missiles into many structures, homes and apartment buildings in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli missiles and shells targeted many areas in several parts of Gaza city, including the Shati’ refugee camp, in addition to Beit Lahia and Jabalia, in northern Gaza, Rafah and Khan Younis, in the southern part.
The Israeli missile also struck an apartment building in the Rimal neighborhood, in the center of Gaza Strip, and leveled it.
This attack came just short hours after the army fired missiles into two others residential buildings in the same neighborhood.
The army is still firing missiles and shells into several parts of the besieged Gaza Strip, while armed and surveillance drones are ongoing with their flights over the costal region.
Palestinian armed resistance factions in Gaza threatened to expand the firing of shells into Israeli areas if the army does not halt its military escalation on Gaza, and said that their missiles will be fired into areas that are even more than 40 kilometers away from the coastal region.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army has killed a pregnant Palestinian mother, identified as Falasteen Saleh Abu Arar, 37, and her baby girl, Saba Mahmoud Abu Arar, 14 months, after firing a missile at their home in Gaza city.
Furthermore, the soldiers killed another Palestinian, identified as Khaled Mohammad Abu Qleiq, 25, after the army fired several missiles into areas in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza.
Among the targeting buildings was “Abdullah al-Hourani Center for Studies and Documentation” which is run by Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), located in a residential building in Gaza city.
The Israeli bombardment also caused damage to several shops and stores, in addition to media agencies, including the Turkish Anadolu News Agency.
Armed resistance factions in Gaza said they retaliated to the Israeli escalation by firing shells into several Israeli areas, including Ofakim, Asqalan (Ashkelon), Be’er as-Sabe’ (Beersheba) and Keryat Gat.
Israeli sources said that two Israelis were injured, including one who suffered serious wounds, after a shell which was fired from Gaza struck a building in Asqalan (Ashkelon).
Earlier Saturday, the soldiers killed one Palestinian, identified as Emad Mohammad Nosseir, 22, from Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, the soldiers killed two Palestinians during the Great Return March processions, and later killed two members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
Besides killing the two four Palestinians, the soldiers also injured 82 Palestinians, including 34 children, two journalists and three medics.
Media sources said the army fired missiles into many structures, homes and apartment buildings in several parts of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli missiles and shells targeted many areas in several parts of Gaza city, including the Shati’ refugee camp, in addition to Beit Lahia and Jabalia, in northern Gaza, Rafah and Khan Younis, in the southern part.
The Israeli missile also struck an apartment building in the Rimal neighborhood, in the center of Gaza Strip, and leveled it.
This attack came just short hours after the army fired missiles into two others residential buildings in the same neighborhood.
The army is still firing missiles and shells into several parts of the besieged Gaza Strip, while armed and surveillance drones are ongoing with their flights over the costal region.
Palestinian armed resistance factions in Gaza threatened to expand the firing of shells into Israeli areas if the army does not halt its military escalation on Gaza, and said that their missiles will be fired into areas that are even more than 40 kilometers away from the coastal region.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli army has killed a pregnant Palestinian mother, identified as Falasteen Saleh Abu Arar, 37, and her baby girl, Saba Mahmoud Abu Arar, 14 months, after firing a missile at their home in Gaza city.
Furthermore, the soldiers killed another Palestinian, identified as Khaled Mohammad Abu Qleiq, 25, after the army fired several missiles into areas in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza.
Among the targeting buildings was “Abdullah al-Hourani Center for Studies and Documentation” which is run by Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), located in a residential building in Gaza city.
The Israeli bombardment also caused damage to several shops and stores, in addition to media agencies, including the Turkish Anadolu News Agency.
Armed resistance factions in Gaza said they retaliated to the Israeli escalation by firing shells into several Israeli areas, including Ofakim, Asqalan (Ashkelon), Be’er as-Sabe’ (Beersheba) and Keryat Gat.
Israeli sources said that two Israelis were injured, including one who suffered serious wounds, after a shell which was fired from Gaza struck a building in Asqalan (Ashkelon).
Earlier Saturday, the soldiers killed one Palestinian, identified as Emad Mohammad Nosseir, 22, from Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, the soldiers killed two Palestinians during the Great Return March processions, and later killed two members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
Besides killing the two four Palestinians, the soldiers also injured 82 Palestinians, including 34 children, two journalists and three medics.
4 may 2019
Medical sources have reported that at least four Palestinians were injured, on Saturday morning, after the Israeli army fired several missiles into areas in northern Gaza.
They stated that the soldiers the soldiers injured four Palestinians, after some of the Israeli missiles struck agricultural lands, north of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip.
One of the Israeli missiles was fired into an agricultural area in Beit Hanoun, and exploded close to an occupied Palestinian car.
In addition, the army fired missiles into a site, run by an armed Palestinian resistance group in northern Gaza, causing damage.
The Israeli army said it fired the missiles after an armed group in Gaza reportedly fired missiles into Rehovot, Ashkelon, Sderot, Ashdod, and several areas in Sha’ar HaNegev and Eshkol Regional Councils, without causing injuries.
It added that more than 50 shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into several settlements near the Gaza Strip. One of the missiles reported landed near a home.
Furthermore, the army said it fired missiles into a lookout post, run by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
The Israeli army also closed several areas around the Gaza Strip, and restricted civilian access to them, due to the rising tension in the region, especially after two soldiers were injured, Friday, while the military killed four Palestinians.
Two of the slain Palestinians were killed during the Great Return March processions, and two members of the Al-Qassam Brigades were later killed by Israeli missiles.
In addition, Israeli sources said two soldiers were injured, one suffered mild wounds and the other was moderately wounded, Friday, from bullet fragments after Palestinian fighters fired rounds at them, and added that the army fired several tank shells.
It is worth mentioning that, during the Israeli excessive use of force against the Palestinian protesters, Friday, the army also injured 82 Palestinians, including 34 children, two journalists and three medics.
In a statement, Hamas said it will retaliate to the latest Israeli attacks, while Israeli sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to convene with security and military leaders to evaluate the situation and discuss possible further steps.
They stated that the soldiers the soldiers injured four Palestinians, after some of the Israeli missiles struck agricultural lands, north of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip.
One of the Israeli missiles was fired into an agricultural area in Beit Hanoun, and exploded close to an occupied Palestinian car.
In addition, the army fired missiles into a site, run by an armed Palestinian resistance group in northern Gaza, causing damage.
The Israeli army said it fired the missiles after an armed group in Gaza reportedly fired missiles into Rehovot, Ashkelon, Sderot, Ashdod, and several areas in Sha’ar HaNegev and Eshkol Regional Councils, without causing injuries.
It added that more than 50 shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into several settlements near the Gaza Strip. One of the missiles reported landed near a home.
Furthermore, the army said it fired missiles into a lookout post, run by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
The Israeli army also closed several areas around the Gaza Strip, and restricted civilian access to them, due to the rising tension in the region, especially after two soldiers were injured, Friday, while the military killed four Palestinians.
Two of the slain Palestinians were killed during the Great Return March processions, and two members of the Al-Qassam Brigades were later killed by Israeli missiles.
In addition, Israeli sources said two soldiers were injured, one suffered mild wounds and the other was moderately wounded, Friday, from bullet fragments after Palestinian fighters fired rounds at them, and added that the army fired several tank shells.
It is worth mentioning that, during the Israeli excessive use of force against the Palestinian protesters, Friday, the army also injured 82 Palestinians, including 34 children, two journalists and three medics.
In a statement, Hamas said it will retaliate to the latest Israeli attacks, while Israeli sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to convene with security and military leaders to evaluate the situation and discuss possible further steps.
The joint operations room of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza has called on all factions to put their armed units on full alert and get prepared to respond to Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.
“In view of the brute Israeli aggression against our people, the commandership of the joint room of the resistance factions calls on all military entities to raise the level of readiness and be geared up to respond to the enemy’s crimes,” the operations room said in a communique.
Three Palestinians were killed by the Israeli occupation forces on Friday evening, two of them in an artillery attack on a resistance post belonging to al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in central Gaza. The other was a civilian and shot dead during his participation in a March of Return rally in the east of Khan Younis.
Another young civilian, who suffered a serious bullet injury, was announce dead later on Saturday after midnight.
The Israeli occupation army claimed its attack on the resistance post was in response to the injury of two soldiers in sniper fire from Gaza.
“In view of the brute Israeli aggression against our people, the commandership of the joint room of the resistance factions calls on all military entities to raise the level of readiness and be geared up to respond to the enemy’s crimes,” the operations room said in a communique.
Three Palestinians were killed by the Israeli occupation forces on Friday evening, two of them in an artillery attack on a resistance post belonging to al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in central Gaza. The other was a civilian and shot dead during his participation in a March of Return rally in the east of Khan Younis.
Another young civilian, who suffered a serious bullet injury, was announce dead later on Saturday after midnight.
The Israeli occupation army claimed its attack on the resistance post was in response to the injury of two soldiers in sniper fire from Gaza.
3 may 2019
Egyptian mediators urgently summoned senior Hamas movement officials, including Yahya Sinwar, the head of its politburo in Gaza, and senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, to the Egyptian capital of Cairo, on Friday.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, Egyptian mediators summoned senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials to Cairo, in an attempt to prevent an escalation along the Gaza border with Israel.
Sources added that the summon came after Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes, targeting a number of Hamas sites in northern Gaza, "in response" to the launching of incendiary balloons and explosive objetcs by Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, Egyptian mediators summoned senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials to Cairo, in an attempt to prevent an escalation along the Gaza border with Israel.
Sources added that the summon came after Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes, targeting a number of Hamas sites in northern Gaza, "in response" to the launching of incendiary balloons and explosive objetcs by Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
2 may 2019
The Islamic Jihad movement fired two missiles towards Israeli communities surrounding Gaza, on predawn Thursday.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that following Israeli airstrikes across northern Gaza, the Islamic Jihad fired two missiles towards southern Israel.
One missile was fired towards Sderot, while the other was fired at Hanegev.
Sources confirmed no injuries nor material damages were reported.
Earlier, Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes “in response” to alleged incendiary balloon launches by Palestinians from Gaza towards southern Israel.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that following Israeli airstrikes across northern Gaza, the Islamic Jihad fired two missiles towards southern Israel.
One missile was fired towards Sderot, while the other was fired at Hanegev.
Sources confirmed no injuries nor material damages were reported.
Earlier, Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes “in response” to alleged incendiary balloon launches by Palestinians from Gaza towards southern Israel.
The Israeli Air Force fired, on Thursday at dawn, several missiles targeting a few areas in the besieged Gaza Strip, causing damage, after the army alleged a rocket was fired from Gaza.
Media sources said the Israeli missiles struck several sites, run by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in the northern part of the Gaza.
The missiles caused damage to the targeted areas, but did not lead to casualties, the sources added.
The Israeli army claimed that fighters of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, fired a rocket, on Monday evening, and added that it exploded off the coast.
Initially, Israel claimed that the alleged rocket was fired as a test, by members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and apparently landed in water.
Senior leaders of both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad denied any relation to the reported rocket fire, and said that they aren’t interested in escalation in the region.
However, the Israeli army said Hamas, as the movement that “controls” the Gaza Strip, is responsible for any escalation even if it wasn’t behind any firing of shells, and added that Hamas is also accountable for flammable balloons launched from the coastal region.
Media sources said the Israeli missiles struck several sites, run by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in the northern part of the Gaza.
The missiles caused damage to the targeted areas, but did not lead to casualties, the sources added.
The Israeli army claimed that fighters of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, fired a rocket, on Monday evening, and added that it exploded off the coast.
Initially, Israel claimed that the alleged rocket was fired as a test, by members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, and apparently landed in water.
Senior leaders of both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad denied any relation to the reported rocket fire, and said that they aren’t interested in escalation in the region.
However, the Israeli army said Hamas, as the movement that “controls” the Gaza Strip, is responsible for any escalation even if it wasn’t behind any firing of shells, and added that Hamas is also accountable for flammable balloons launched from the coastal region.
30 apr 2019
One rocket, launched from the besieged Gaza Strip, landed near the coast of Ashdod City, in southern Israel, overnight Monday.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, an Israeli army spokesperson said that a rocket landed off the coast of Ashdod and was allegedly launched from Gaza.
No injuries nor damages were reported.
Sources pointed out that prior to the incident, the Hamas movement, which is the de-facto ruler in Gaza since 2007, fired five rockets from northern Gaza towards the sea.
Sources added that the five rockets were launched for test fire.
Additionally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad denied, on Tuesday, the claims made by the Israeli army that the movement's military wing is responsible for launching the rocket into Israeli territory.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, an Israeli army spokesperson said that a rocket landed off the coast of Ashdod and was allegedly launched from Gaza.
No injuries nor damages were reported.
Sources pointed out that prior to the incident, the Hamas movement, which is the de-facto ruler in Gaza since 2007, fired five rockets from northern Gaza towards the sea.
Sources added that the five rockets were launched for test fire.
Additionally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad denied, on Tuesday, the claims made by the Israeli army that the movement's military wing is responsible for launching the rocket into Israeli territory.
