Israel is mobilizing ground forces along the border with the Gaza Strip on Thursday as the Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, launched a barrage of rockets at southern Israel amid ongoing fierce fighting, the toughest in years without an end in sight. Sirens wailed in Tel Aviv overnight and the Israeli Iron Dome defense system was deployed, prompting thousands of Israelis to seek shelter. By dawn Thursday, Israel resumed its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, destroying a six-story residential building in downtown Gaza. Global powers renewed calls for a ceasefire as waves of violence between Jews and the Arab minority within Israel spread to several cities and towns, including attacks on Jewish synagogues and clashes in the streets. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported at least 67 people have been killed in the enclave since the violence escalated on Monday. In Israel, the army reported seven fatalities. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that combat forces are being deployed at the border with the Gaza Strip, and Israel is "in various stages of preparing for ground operations." This step recalls similar incursions that occurred during wars in 2008-2009 and 2014. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, added, "The Chief of Staff is overseeing those preparations and giving directions... We have a military unit headquarters and three maneuver battalions in Gaza preparing for this situation and other emergencies." Health authorities in the Gaza Strip reported investigating the deaths of several individuals overnight, suspected to be caused by inhaling toxic gas, with samples undergoing testing and no final results yet available.
Amid fears that the violence may spiral further out of control, Washington plans to send its envoy Hadi Amr for talks with Israel and the Palestinians. U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters after a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "I expect and hope that this will end soon, but Israel has the right to defend itself." Biden did not clarify what reasons he had for optimism. Netanyahu's office stated that he informed Biden that Israel "will continue to act to strike the military capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist groups operating in the Gaza Strip." On Wednesday, Israel killed a Hamas leader and bombed several buildings, including high-rise structures and a bank, which it said were linked to the movement's activities. Hamas raised the flag of defiance, with the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, stating, "The confrontation with the enemy is open."
### Tensions in Jerusalem
Israel began its military movements after Hamas launched rockets in response to clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at sites in East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. The tensions escalated before a court session, which was subsequently postponed, regarding a case that could potentially lead to the eviction of Palestinian families from homes in East Jerusalem claimed by Jewish settlers. For Israel, targeting the two major cities presents a new challenge in its confrontation with Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States. A Palestinian source noted that efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations to achieve a ceasefire have made no progress in stopping the violence. Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas, stating that Washington "is making efforts with all involved parties to achieve a ceasefire."
The fighting across the border has heightened tensions within Israel, where some members of the Arab minority have protested in solidarity with the Palestinians. Reports have emerged of widespread attacks by Jews on Arab pedestrians in mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhoods on Wednesday and into the early hours of Thursday. Residents of towns and cities, including the coastal city of Akka in northern Israel, reported fears of venturing outside their homes.
### Gaza's Collapse
In Gaza, two residential buildings and a tower housing media outlets, one associated with Hamas, collapsed after Israel had previously warned residents to evacuate the area. Another building suffered severe damage from the airstrikes. A man in a Gaza street described how people rushed out of their homes as explosions shook the buildings, stating, "Israel has gone mad." In Israel, many sought refuge in shelters as rockets targeted deep into the country, some intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Margot Aronovich, a 26-year-old student in Tel Aviv, said, "All of Israel is under attack. It's really a terrifying situation." Medical authorities reported that among the dead in Israel were a soldier killed during patrols on the Gaza border and six civilians, including two children and an Indian worker. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that among the dead in the enclave were 17 children and six women. The Israeli army reported on Thursday that nearly 400 of the approximately 1,600 rockets launched by Gaza factions did not reach their targets and may have caused civilian casualties among Palestinians.
The violence has led to a freeze in coalition talks among Netanyahu's opponents aimed at ousting him from office following inconclusive elections on March 23. Despite the recent events in Jerusalem igniting the escalation, Palestinians feel frustration over setbacks to their hopes for establishing an independent state in recent years, including Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a U.S. plan to resolve the conflict perceived as biased toward Israel, and the ongoing expansion of settlements.
