For the first time since the armistice concluded 11 days of cross-border battle in May, Israel released airstrikes on the Gaza Strips, responding to the combustion balloons sent out from the Palestinian territory.
The conflict was a challenge to the three-day newly-installed government of Israel. It came after the Jewish nationalist’s march in East Jerusalem on Tuesday which gathered Hamas’ threats of actions.
According to Israeli military, its aircraft launched an attack against the armed site of Hamas in Gaza City as well as in the Khon Younis town early on Wednesday. It said that it was “ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from Gaza”.
The military said that the strikes were launched to retaliate the release of balloons, which, according to the Israeli fire brigade, has triggered 20 blazes in open spaces in districts close to the Gaza border.
Palestines will resume to push for their “brave resistance and defend their rights and sacred sites” in Jerusalem, according to a Hamas spokesperson who also confirmed the recent attack.
Before the violence, the Israeli’s police force attacked Palestinian protested with rubber-tipped bullets. The protesters voiced their opposition to Jewish ultranationalists through Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem — a march that made threats to destroy the Gaza ceasefire.
During the march, there were even multiple young people jumping and chanting “Death to Arabs!”. The protest has left more than 30 protesters protesting against the parade, the Palestinian medics said.
Rallies were also conducted by Palestinians along the boundary inside Gaza. There was even an unverified report regarding a person who was hit in the leg by an Israeli sniper. The dozens of blaze were caused by the incendiary devices attached to the balloons, which are believed to have been done by the militants.