Palestinian militants in Gaza continue to fire rockets at Israel while Israel’s air force bombs targets in the coastal enclave. Thousands attend an open-air concert in Tel Aviv despite the threat of a missile.
The hope of a ceasefire seems to be a long way off: fighting between militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli army is currently relentless. “We are in a war situation,” said an army spokesman on Thursday evening. The day before, there had been unconfirmed reports of a ceasefire agreement.
According to military sources, Israel’s air force has attacked more than 150 targets in the Gaza Strip in recent days, killing several high-ranking members of Islamic Jihad.
According to the Ministry of Health, 30 people have died in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli military offensive on Tuesday, including 6 children. More than 90 were injured. According to Palestinian information, at least 17 of the dead were civilians. Israel’s army said four civilian casualties were killed by misguided jihadi missiles. This could not initially be verified independently.
According to the army, militant Palestinians have so far fired more than 800 rockets and mortar shells towards Israel, 620 of which crossed the border. Sirens have also been heard several times in the Tel Aviv area in the past few days. According to rescue workers, one person was killed when a rocket hit a house in the Israeli city of Rehovot. Seven others were injured. Since the attacks began, 22 people have been injured in Israel.
In Tel Aviv, an open-air concert by the Israeli musician Aviv Geffen also caused dissatisfaction. The fans were therefore instructed to sit on the ground and protect their heads in the event of a missile alarm. They were asked not to run so as not to risk mass panic. The organizers were criticized for saying the event was “irresponsible”.
Islamic Jihad declared its readiness to expand the attacks. “No matter how long the fight lasts and whatever the cost to us.” In a propaganda video, the militant group also showed members preparing to launch rockets and threatening to “drown Israel with rockets.”
According to experts, the further course of the conflict depends above all on whether the Palestinian organization Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, also participates. This is currently not the case, said an army spokesman on Thursday evening. “We look at all fronts, but the focus is on jihad in the Gaza Strip.” Hamas is considered to be significantly stronger militarily.
Germany, France, Egypt and Jordan called for an immediate ceasefire on Thursday. “With every new day that people die, there will only be more losers and no winners,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens).
According to Egyptian sources, however, talks about a ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful. According to the Jihad, the talks broke down because Israel is said to have refused to end targeted killings.
Targeted killings are controversial among experts. The United Nations, for example, complain that legal boundaries would be blurred. They also speak of a violation of international law.
A spokesman for the Israeli army said there was a kind of ceasefire declaration on Wednesday, to which Israel adhered – until rockets were again flown out of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad are classified as terrorist organizations by the US, EU and Israel. Both groups have taken up the cause of the destruction of Israel.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
