It is now war between Israel and Hamas. During the night, the Islamist movement announced the launch of another 110 rockets on Tel Aviv and another 100 on the southern part of the Jewish state, in Beersheva. Five Israelis have died since Monday from rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, including two this morning in Lod; at least 35 Palestinians killed in Israeli raids on the Palestinian enclave, including 10 children. Among them are also two Hamas military leaders: the brigade commander in Khan Yunes (south of Gaza) Rafah Salameh and the head of military intelligence Muhammed Yazuri. In a previous attack, two other executives had lost their lives. Hamas rockets hit an oil pipeline in Ashkelon, causing a vast fire. In Tel Aviv the alarm sirens rang for a long time and last night Ben Gurion airport was closed for about an hour. In the morning the attacks at the Ben Gurion airport are resumed. Tensions also extend to the West Bank, where a Palestinian was killed in clashes with soldiers. An urgent meeting of the UN Security Council is scheduled today.
Dead and wounded among civilians: total war between Israel and Hamas
by Sharon Nizza
Hamas: “More than 200 rockets fired in the last hours”
Hamas announced that it has fired over 200 rockets at Israel in response to actions in Gaza. In a statement, the Palestinian organization said that 100 missiles were fired at the city of Tel Aviv, and about 110 at Beersheva, “in retaliation for the resumption of attacks on buildings inhabited by the civilian population”. Ben Gurion airport is also among the objectives. The alarm sirens sounded at 6 o’clock (5 in Italy) in Tel Aviv and in the nearby towns, forcing the population to run into the protected rooms. Other attacks have been reported in southern Israel. Schools in these locations are kept closed, rail traffic to Ashkelon and southern Israel is cut off.
Rockets and explosions in the sky of Tel Aviv
Tensions also in the West Bank: one dead
The fighting between Israel and Hamas has also raised tensions in the West Bank. According to the official Wafa news agency, in the al-Fawar refugee camp (Hebron) there were clashes between the inhabitants and units of the army, and a young man (Hussein al-Titi) was killed. The agency adds that the military prevented an ambulance from rescuing him. The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident. A few hours earlier, another Palestinian had been shot dead at the Zaatra (Nablus) checkpoint.
State of emergency in Lod, reinforcements in other cities
“I spoke to Lod Mayor Yair Revivo and updated him on the decision to immediately strengthen surveillance with border police forces,” Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a tweet. The government had been harshly criticized by the mayor of the city, hit by the revolt of a part of the Arab population. “In the situation we have arrived at – he added -, we must act firmly against criminals, cool spirits and maintain public order. As public leaders, we have a responsibility to calm the situation, and this is how we will act” . Gantz did not rule out “imposing a curfew if necessary”. According to the media, extraordinary measures will be extended to other cities.
The spokesman for Islamic Jihad speaks: “A deluge of fire on the Zionist enemy to liberate Jerusalem”
by Sharon Nizza
The alarm from the UN envoy: “Israel and Hamas towards war, ceasefire immediately”
Israel and Hamas are moving towards a “full-scale war,” warns United Nations envoy for the Middle East Tor Wennesland on Twitter, calling on the parties to end the fighting “immediately”. “Stop shooting immediately. This escalation is moving towards a full-scale war. Leaders on all sides must engage in de-escalation. A war in Gaza would be devastating and ordinary people would pay the price,” Wennesland wrote. Secretary General Antonio Guterres comments on Twitter: “I am very worried about what is happening in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The UN works for an urgent de-escalation.” The UN Security Council has been convened for an emergency meeting for today. This is the second emergency meeting in three days, convened at the request of Tunisia, Norway and China.
Israel, escalation and pressure on Biden: the Iran dossier is also at risk
by our correspondent Federico Rampini
The United States with Israel: “Firm support”
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he had spoken with Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat. The main body that assists the US president on foreign policy has condemned the ongoing missile attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He also expressed “the President’s firm support for the security of Israel and its legitimate right to defend himself and his people, protecting civilians”. Sullivan also conveyed “the encouragement of the United States to take steps towards restoring a sustainable calm”. Sullivan also spoke to the Egyptian government about the situation in Gaza and Jerusalem and the steps needed to restore calm in the coming days.
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