IDF strikes over 130 targets in Gaza as 250 rockets pound Israel

IDF strikes over 130 targets in Gaza as 250 rockets pound Israel

ANNA AHRONHEIM, TZVI JOFFRE, IDAN ZONSHINE


A number of roads and train lines in southern Israel were closed due to security concerns.

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Israel was bombarded by over 200 rockets from the Gaza Strip since Monday as terror groups sent barrages of rockets, injuring at least seven Israeli civilians.

In retaliation for the rocket-fire, the IDF carried out waves of airstrikes against 130 terror targets in Gaza, in an operation called “Guardians of the Wall.”

The targets hit by Israel included the home of a Hamas battalion commander in a multi-story building, the organization’s military intelligence headquarters, munition manufacturing sites, military complexes belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as two terror tunnels that were close to the border fence. The strikes were said to have killed at least 15 Hamas terrorists.

Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that a total of 24 people including children were killed in the strikes and another 103 were injured.
The wave of airstrikes began after the security cabinet authorized “significant airstrikes” in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad releases footage of a ATGM strike on a civilian vehicle

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IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman warned on Tuesday that the military is “prepared for a variety of scenarios” including an escalation and said that the operation would last “several days” and would deal a hard blow to Hamas.

As such, the IDF has deployed additional Iron Dome batteries to the southern Gush Dan region.

“We will continue to act vigorously against Hamas and other terror organizations,” he said, adding that Hamas is responsible for “what is happening and will bear the consequences.”

Referring to the casualties in Gaza, Zilberman said that while Israel “takes precautions” to minimize possible harm to civilians during its military operations, Hamas “deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population in Gaza.”

The IDF spokesman stressed that while 200 rockets were fired towards Israel, a third of the rockets fell inside Gaza. The Iron Dome, he said, had a 90% success rate in intercepting dozens of rockets fired from the Strip.

Hamas had threatened Israel on Monday that it would launch the rockets due to the ongoing clashes in Jerusalem and shortly after 6 p.m. seven rockets were fired towards the capital.

The IDF warned Hamas that all options, including a ground operation, were on the table after the Monday rocket fire that marred Jerusalem Day with sirens going off in the capital as thousands of people were parading through downtown to celebrate the holiday.

Following the rocket fire, the Israel Air Force carried out several strikes in Gaza, killing at least 8 Hamas militants and targeting rocket launchers and two military positions. Palestinian media reported that 22 people had been killed – including nine children – and another 95 wounded.

Three children were killed in Beit Hanoun but it is unclear if it was due to an Israeli Air Force strike or the failure of a rocket launched from Gaza.

One rocket struck an empty house in a community near Jerusalem. Dozens of rockets were also fired towards Sderot, Ashkelon and neighboring communities as well.

Another rocket hit a house in Nir Am, in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, shortly after midnight on Monday night. No injuries were reported.
On Tuesday morning, around 6 a.m., a wave of rockets hit two residences in Ashkelon. One rocket hit a family home, moderately injuring the parents and lightly injuring the children. The rocket which hit the second home lightly injured two people. All six were evacuated to Barzilay Medical Center in Ashkelon.

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