Status: 06.08.2022 00:06
Numerous rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Earlier, Israel had attacked targets in the Gaza Strip with a large-scale military operation – and killed a militant Palestinian leader.
Palestinian militants have fired rockets at Israel after the targeted killing of their leader. Sirens could be heard in several towns as far south as the coastal city of Tel Aviv in the evening. According to Israeli media reports, the rockets landed in open areas or were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. According to media reports, the city of Tel Aviv opened public air raid shelters out of fear of further attacks.
The military arm of the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad (PIJ) declared late in the evening: “We are attacking Tel Aviv and the cities of the center and the surrounding area with more than 100 rockets.” This is the answer to the assassination of their leader Taisir al-Jabari.
Israeli forces had previously killed him after threats from the organization in a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. According to the army, the senior commander was responsible for numerous rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and planned attacks on civilians. Islamic Jihad is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the US.
Israel mobilizes 25,000 reservists
According to Palestinian information, at least ten people were killed in the large-scale military action by Israel with several airstrikes, including Al-Jabari and a five-year-old child. At least 75 people were injured.
Israeli Prime Minister Jair Lapid called the attack a “precise anti-terrorist operation” to ward off an “imminent threat”. And: “Israel is not interested in a broad operation in the Gaza Strip, but it is not afraid of it either.” The Israeli government will not allow terrorist organizations to set the agenda in the Gaza border towns and threaten Israeli citizens. “Anyone who wants to attack Israel must know that we will get to them,” said Lapid.
Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister, Benny Gantz, approved the mobilization of 25,000 reservists. According to the military, the decision was made after assessing the security situation.
Similar incident already in 2019
In 2019, Israel had already specifically killed jihadi military chief Baha Abu al-Ata. This was followed 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 Egypt and the United Nations.
Around two million people live in the Gaza Strip. 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.