A new wave of violence between Palestinians and Israelis has begun after Israeli aircraft targeted leaders from the Islamic Jihad movement.
The Israeli Air Force continued to strike targets belonging to the Islamic Jihad in Gaza for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, as activists in the sector launched approximately 200 rockets toward Israel, prompting air raid sirens and forcing Israelis to seek shelter in various locations, including Tel Aviv. In Gaza, shops and schools remained closed, while Israel continued to shut down two crossings for goods and people with Gaza. This step will halt the entry of goods, fuel, and humanitarian aid, as well as the transfer of patients to receive treatment in hospitals in the West Bank and Israel. Smoke could be seen in the sky due to the rocket launches, with explosions occurring in the air as a result of the Iron Dome defense system intercepting rockets.
Notably, in today’s escalation, it appears that the Islamic Jihad will not fight alone, as the launching of rockets was followed by the announcement of a joint operations room for Palestinian factions in Gaza, which adopted the rocket launches toward Israel. The factions stated: "The joint operations room of the Palestinian resistance factions announces the implementation of the operation 'Revenge of the Free', which entailed a large missile strike of hundreds of rockets targeting the enemy's sites, settlements, and objectives, starting from what is known as the 'Gaza Envelope' to 'Tel Aviv', in response to the crime of assassinating the leaders of the Al-Quds Brigades: Jihad al-Ghannam, Khalil Bahitini, and Tarek Iz al-Din, through an inhumane and treacherous bombardment of civilian homes that also resulted in a number of innocent civilian martyrs who were safe in their homes."
The statement added: "The room announces this heroic operation coinciding with the anniversary of the immortal battle of 'Sword of Jerusalem' to emphasize the following: First, targeting civilian homes and assassinating our men and heroes is a red line that will be faced with all strength. Second, the resistance is ready for all options, and if the occupation continues its aggression and arrogance, dark days await it. Third, the resistance will remain united in all fronts of the homeland, a sword and shield for our people, land, and sanctities."
Health Sector
The Palestinian news agency "Wafa" announced that the death toll among Palestinians has risen to 20, with approximately 40 injuries.
Minutes after the Israeli strikes, air raid sirens sounded warning of rocket impacts in residential areas in Israel, initially near Gaza, but soon after in areas within and around Tel Aviv, which is located 60 kilometers north of the sector. Local Israeli media reported that some of the recent rocket barrages from Gaza fell on houses in Sderot, Ashkelon, and other areas, with reports of injuries.
Arab League
The Arab League condemned the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and Gaza. They stated: "We express full solidarity with the Palestinian people and support their steadfastness against Israeli aggression. We also call on the Security Council to bear its responsibilities in preserving international peace and security and to exert necessary pressure on Israel." They urged the International Criminal Court to complete investigations into the war crimes committed by and currently being committed by Israel. They emphasized appreciation for the continuing Egyptian, Jordanian, and Arab efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against Palestinians. They requested the Secretary-General to call on the Arab League missions and councils of Arab ambassadors around the world to act on the contents of the statement.
Islamic Jihad
No party has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's rockets. The Islamic Jihad movement has vowed to respond to the Israeli strikes. Daoud Shehab, the movement's media office head, stated, "The resistance determines the timing of the response according to its tactics and calculations. We see that the response should be proportional to the crime."
Israeli Response
Avi Dichter, a member of the Israeli Security Cabinet, stated on public broadcaster Kan that following the renewed strikes on Gaza, "we have no intention of waiting for them to launch rockets." He added, "If it is possible to prevent launches or disrupt them, and if it is possible to target those behind the launch, then all of this ultimately leads to deterrence." Later, Israeli broadcasting authority announced that "the Security Cabinet will meet tonight, Wednesday, to discuss developments in the military operation in the Gaza Strip."
Suspension of Studies
Israeli authorities announced the decision to suspend education and gatherings until next Friday.
Evacuation
An Israeli official told Radio Kan that authorities have evacuated up to 30 percent of the population from areas bordering Gaza as a precaution. A video circulated of the Israeli Transportation Minister descending into a shelter after hearing the air raid sirens.
Israeli Military
The Israeli military announced that it has bombed 53 targets in Gaza since beginning Operation "Protective Arrow," noting that 270 rockets were launched from the strip toward Israel. Military spokesperson Avichai Adraee stated that 270 rockets and missile shells were launched from Gaza toward Israel, of which approximately 205 crossed into Israeli territory, while 56 rockets fell inside the Gaza Strip, and 62 rocket shells were intercepted. He confirmed that Israeli aircraft attacked "104 sites and 53 terrorist targets." He said that "the Israeli Iron Dome intercepted 65 rockets out of a total of 205."
The military clarified that it targeted launch sites belonging to the Islamic Jihad movement. A series of explosions shook various regions, including what witnesses reported to be a training camp in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and an open area in the south.
