Israel strikes targets in Lebanon and Gaza amid heightened tensions
Israeli fighter jets bombed the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon early Friday morning, amid a sharp escalation in violence after militants fired rockets into Israel.
The Israeli military said it struck targets in Gaza belonging to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls a blocked coastal enclave, including two weapons manufacturing sites and two tunnels. Air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel. Hours later, Israel also hit Hamas targets in southern Lebanon.
The exchange of fire followed two days of tension at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli police forced Palestinian worshipers out of the site on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Lebanese militants fired 34 rockets into Israel on Thursday afternoon amid growing anger over the al-Aqsa scene in the Arab world. Israeli media said it was the largest barrage from the country since 2006, when Hezbollah militant groups and Israel fought his 34-day war.
Air defenses intercepted 25 rockets, but at least five landed in Israel, and paramedics said two people were injured.
A spokesman for the Israeli military said it believes Palestinian militants in Lebanon — affiliated with either Hamas or Islamic Jihad — launched the rockets. But he added that he also assumes that Hezbollah, which has developed increasingly close ties with Palestinian groups inside and outside Lebanon in recent years, was aware of the attack.
“The context is Palestine,” he said.
On Thursday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired seven surface-to-air rockets that exploded in flight, but no one was injured.
Escalation is a major security challenge for Israel’s hardline government, which took office last year with ultranationalist security personnel promising a tougher stance on Palestinians. After a meeting of security ministers early on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s response “will pay a heavy price tonight and in the future.”
No one was quick to claim responsibility for the rocket launches from Lebanon. Both Hezbollah, whose Iran-backed paramilitary group is Lebanon’s most powerful group, and Lebanese Palestinian groups are suspected of being behind previous cross-border incidents.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who visited Lebanon on Thursday, where officials told local media it was a “personal visit”, met with leaders of Palestinian groups in the country. He called on the factions to “unite and escalate” resistance to defend al-Aqsa “by whatever means necessary”.
After the attack on Gaza, Lebanese TV station Al Mayadeen TV, which is close to Iran and Hezbollah, said the militant group had put its long-range missile forces on high alert. Meanwhile, several Israeli cities have announced the opening of public air raid shelters.
A salvo of rockets followed a second night of tension at Al-Aqsa, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, as Israeli police fired to eliminate Muslim worshipers who tried to stay overnight in the mosque. has invaded the hill.
Six people were injured on the premises and two were hospitalized, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. One was injured by a rubber bullet and the other had blunt force trauma. Police said they responded to youths throwing fireworks and stones.
Shortly before the rocket launches from Lebanon, Hezbollah condemned the treatment of Palestinians at al-Aqsa, calling it a “flag violation against the followers of Jerusalem.” It said it supported “all movements by the Palestinian people and resistance to protect their worshippers and deter Israeli aggression.”
The third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism, the Al-Aqsa complex is one of the most sensitive sites in the world. Israeli-Palestinian conflictClashes there sparked wider conflagration, including the 11-day war between Israel and militants in Gaza two years ago.
Since 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the Old City, where the Al-Aqsa complex is located.
Under the so-called status quo agreement, both Muslims and non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site, but only Muslims are allowed to pray there. , fueling fears among Muslims that the status quo is being eroded.
These fears are exacerbated by the ultranationalist presence in Israel’s hardline new government. Among them is Itamar Ben Gubir, a settler who has long sought Jewish prayers in Al-Aqsa. Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Thursday that the status quo would not change and called for calm on the ground.
Wednesday night mayhem the night beforefootage of heavily armed Israeli forces invading a mosque and beating Palestinians with rifle butts and batons sparked outrage in the Arab world, sparking an exchange of fire between Gaza and Israeli militants.
Violence that erupted as Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan and Jews began the week-long Passover festival follows a year of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestine and fears of a wider conflict. .
Last year, Israeli forces killed more than 250 Palestinians in the West Bank, and Palestinians killed more than 40 Israelis.
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Israeli fighter jets bombed the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon early Friday morning, amid a sharp escalation in violence after militants fired rockets into Israel.The Israeli military said it struck targets in Gaza belonging to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls a blocked coastal enclave, including two weapons manufacturing sites and two tunnels. Air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel. Hours later, Israel also hit Hamas targets in southern Lebanon.The exchange of fire followed two days of tension at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli police forced Palestinian worshipers out of the site on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.Lebanese militants fired 34 rockets into Israel on Thursday afternoon amid growing anger over the al-Aqsa scene in the Arab world. Israeli media said it was the largest barrage from the country since 2006, when Hezbollah militant groups and Israel fought his 34-day war. Air defenses intercepted 25 rockets, but at least five landed in Israel, and paramedics said two people were injured. A spokesman for the Israeli military said it believes Palestinian militants in Lebanon — affiliated with either Hamas or Islamic Jihad — launched the rockets. But he added that he also assumes that Hezbollah, which has developed increasingly close ties with Palestinian groups inside and outside Lebanon in recent years, was aware of the attack. “The context is Palestine,” he said.On Thursday, Palestinian militants in Gaza fired seven surface-to-air rockets that exploded in flight, but no one was injured.Escalation is a major security challenge for Israel’s hardline government, which took office last year with ultranationalist security personnel promising a tougher stance on Palestinians. After a meeting of security ministers early on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s response “will pay a heavy price tonight and in the future.”No one was quick to claim responsibility for the rocket launches from Lebanon. Both Hezbollah, whose Iran-backed paramilitary group is Lebanon’s most powerful group, and Lebanese Palestinian groups are suspected of being behind previous cross-border incidents.
A rocket fired from Lebanon hit a building in the northern Israeli town of Bezet on Thursday © Fadi Amun/AP
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who visited Lebanon on Thursday, where officials told local media it was a “personal visit”, met with leaders of Palestinian groups in the country. He called on the factions to “unite and escalate” resistance to defend al-Aqsa “by whatever means necessary”.After the attack on Gaza, Lebanese TV station Al Mayadeen TV, which is close to Iran and Hezbollah, said the militant group had put its long-range missile forces on high alert. Meanwhile, several Israeli cities have announced the opening of public air raid shelters.A salvo of rockets followed a second night of tension at Al-Aqsa, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, as Israeli police fired to eliminate Muslim worshipers who tried to stay overnight in the mosque. has invaded the hill.Six people were injured on the premises and two were hospitalized, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. One was injured by a rubber bullet and the other had blunt force trauma. Police said they responded to youths throwing fireworks and stones.Shortly before the rocket launches from Lebanon, Hezbollah condemned the treatment of Palestinians at al-Aqsa, calling it a “flag violation against the followers of Jerusalem.” It said it supported “all movements by the Palestinian people and resistance to protect their worshippers and deter Israeli aggression.”The third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism, the Al-Aqsa complex is one of the most sensitive sites in the world. Israeli-Palestinian conflictClashes there sparked wider conflagration, including the 11-day war between Israel and militants in Gaza two years ago.Since 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the Old City, where the Al-Aqsa complex is located. Under the so-called status quo agreement, both Muslims and non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site, but only Muslims are allowed to pray there. , fueling fears among Muslims that the status quo is being eroded.These fears are exacerbated by the ultranationalist presence in Israel’s hardline new government. Among them is Itamar Ben Gubir, a settler who has long sought Jewish prayers in Al-Aqsa. Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Thursday that the status quo would not change and called for calm on the ground.Wednesday night mayhem the night beforefootage of heavily armed Israeli forces invading a mosque and beating Palestinians with rifle butts and batons sparked outrage in the Arab world, sparking an exchange of fire between Gaza and Israeli militants.Violence that erupted as Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan and Jews began the week-long Passover festival follows a year of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestine and fears of a wider conflict. .Last year, Israeli forces killed more than 250 Palestinians in the West Bank, and Palestinians killed more than 40 Israelis.
https://www.ft.com/content/1272b11f-0dcf-4e4c-ac1d-829fca5b5e2f Israel strikes targets in Lebanon and Gaza amid heightened tensions