The Israeli military announced that its aircraft targeted Hamas sites in Gaza late Saturday, marking an escalation in hostilities after gunfire from across the border earlier injured an Israeli soldier critically and 41 Palestinians, including two in serious condition. The violence erupted during a protest in Gaza organized by Hamas and other factions in support of Jerusalem, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police that triggered an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in May.
The Israeli army reported that hundreds of Palestinians gathered in a heavily fortified border area, with some attempting to scale the fence and others throwing explosive devices at Israeli soldiers. The military stated that its troops "responded with riot dispersal means, including live ammunition when necessary." The Gaza Health Ministry noted that a 13-year-old boy was in serious condition after being shot in the head, with most other injuries described as moderate, including gunshot wounds to limbs, back, and abdomen.
The Israeli army indicated that gunfire from Gaza resulted in a soldier sustaining serious injuries, and he is currently receiving hospital treatment. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet. In response to the gunfire directed at the soldier, the army stated that "Israeli fighter jets bombed four sites used for storing and manufacturing weapons belonging to" Hamas. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from these strikes.
In preparation for further combat operations, the military announced it had dispatched additional forces to the Gaza border area. Israeli media reported that the army had increased its deployment of the Iron Dome missile defense system.
These developments follow days after Israel announced the resumption of Qatari aid to Gaza, seen as support for a ceasefire mediated by Egypt to end the fighting that erupted in May. Just a few days prior to this announcement, militants from Gaza fired a rocket toward Israel, which was intercepted by the Iron Dome, marking the first such attack since the ceasefire. Palestinians have also intermittently launched incendiary balloons toward Israel since the conflict, prompting Israel to conduct strikes on Hamas sites.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum stated that the airstrikes carried out on Saturday demonstrate that Israel "is trying to cover up its failure and disappointment in the steadfastness of our people and their brave resistance." At least 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis lost their lives in the May conflict, during which militants from Gaza fired rockets at Israeli cities, and Israel conducted airstrikes across the coastal territory.
