Israeli air strikes counter militant rocket fire as the cycle of violence escalates
- 10 years ago
Israeli air strikes have killed at least 27 people across Gaza since the launch of its offensive to stop Hamas-led rocket attacks.
The toll includes the death of a top local jihadist leader as well as some of his family according to Palestinian neighbours. Several children are also said to have died in Israeli drone strikes.
In the continuing cycle of violence Hamas militants fired yet more rockets at Israeli cities targeting Jerusalem late on Tuesday night.
Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system has been in action, intercepting 29 rockets although over a hundred more have struck Israel according to its military.
Tensions spiked last week with the murder of three young Israelis in the occupied West Bank and a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem.
Israel says Hamas was behind the abductions and murder of the Israeli youths – a claim it denies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned he may send ground troops into Gaza to stop the rocket fire. Forty-thousand military reservists are being called up to add to hundreds already drafted.
The Israeli leader blamed the militant wing of Hamas for any civilian deaths, accusing them of hiding among innocent citizens.
With attack and counter attack showing no signs of stopping Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded Israel immediately stop any further strikes and has appealed for calm.
The toll includes the death of a top local jihadist leader as well as some of his family according to Palestinian neighbours. Several children are also said to have died in Israeli drone strikes.
In the continuing cycle of violence Hamas militants fired yet more rockets at Israeli cities targeting Jerusalem late on Tuesday night.
Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system has been in action, intercepting 29 rockets although over a hundred more have struck Israel according to its military.
Tensions spiked last week with the murder of three young Israelis in the occupied West Bank and a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem.
Israel says Hamas was behind the abductions and murder of the Israeli youths – a claim it denies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned he may send ground troops into Gaza to stop the rocket fire. Forty-thousand military reservists are being called up to add to hundreds already drafted.
The Israeli leader blamed the militant wing of Hamas for any civilian deaths, accusing them of hiding among innocent citizens.
With attack and counter attack showing no signs of stopping Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded Israel immediately stop any further strikes and has appealed for calm.