Status: 07.08.2022 1:57 p.m
The mutual shelling by Israel and Islamic Jihad continues. Jerusalem was also the target of an attack for the first time. Developments on the Temple Mount are also viewed with concern.
After a five-hour ceasefire during the night, rockets started flying again at dawn. For the first time since the attacks began, Jerusalem became a target of Islamic Jihad.
Several rockets were intercepted by the Israeli anti-aircraft shield – the so-called Iron Dome – in suburbs of the country’s capital. In other places, however, rockets fell with full force. The residents were mostly unharmed, they had sought refuge in the protective bunker after the rocket alarm.
Israel also continues shelling
The Israeli military has also continued shelling Gaza since the morning. Above all, targets in the north of the Gaza Strip were shelled. According to the Palestinian Authority, there were two more fatalities in detonations. Israeli authorities believe both were killed by a misguided Islamic Jihad missile. Which does not appear to be an isolated case, as Israel’s military spokesman Richard Hecht points out:
Islamic Jihad completely disregards its own people. About a third of the rockets they launch end up inside the Gaza Strip and threaten their own people.
You don’t want the situation to escalate. The safety of the population is the most important thing, added Hecht.
Relatives mourn the death of a young Palestinian man who was killed in the northern Gaza Strip overnight.
Image: AFP
Death toll continues to rise
Overall, the death toll since the fighting began on Friday has risen to around 30, including some children. More than 250 people were injured.
Prime Minister Jair Lapid commented on the current situation in the morning. He again stressed to continue military action for as long as necessary. Israel is acting responsibly in order to minimize the damage to bystanders.
Lapid and Netanyahu clarify security issues
Lapid also met with opposition leader and ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the morning. During the conversation, the two politicians discussed key security issues. In a statement, Netanyahu said he fully supports the country’s government and military leadership.
And: He also gave the prime minister a lot of advice based on his political experience – a sensitive statement that doesn’t make the prime minister look good. Both – Netanyahu and Lapid – are the main contenders in the parliamentary elections on November 1st.
National religious Jews on the Temple Mount
The development on the Temple Mount is currently also being observed with interest: on today’s Jewish holiday, which commemorates the destruction of the two Jewish temples, national religious Jews traditionally go to the Temple Mount, which represents a provocation for the Muslim population.
Amid the protests of Muslim residents of Jerusalem, the controversial right-wing MP Ben Gvir also took part in the march across the Temple Mount. It is currently unclear how the Islamist Hamas will react to this – from its point of view – provocation.
Jews pray near the door of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City during the Jewish day of fasting and mourning, Tisha B’Av.
Image: dpa
Hamas continues to stay out
Hamas, which controls Gaza, has not yet taken part in combat operations. Last but not least, it depends on whether this conflict between Israel and Islamic Jihad could escalate further.
In the background, Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations in particular are trying to end the hostilities. The UN Security Council is due to deal with the crisis in New York tomorrow.
Fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad continues
Julio Segador, ARD Tel Aviv, 08/07/2022 12:42 p.m