Top US diplomat Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a truce in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send troops into its far southern city of Rafah.

Washington has heightened pressure on all sides to reach a ceasefire -- a message pushed by Blinken, who was on his seventh regional tour since the Gaza war broke out in October.

An Israeli official told AFP that the government "will wait for answers until Wednesday night", and then "make a decision" whether to send a delegation to indirect talks being brokered by US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-police-enter-columbia-building-barricaded-by-students-as-protests-716835">NYPD removes pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University, arrests made</a>

The Palestinian militant group said it was considering a plan for a 40-day ceasefire and the exchange of scores of hostages for larger numbers of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas, whose envoys returned from Cairo talks to their base in Qatar, would "discuss the ideas and the proposal", said a Hamas source, adding: "We are keen to respond as quickly as possible."

Blinken put the ball squarely in Hamas's court.

"There is a very strong proposal on the table right now. Hamas needs to say yes, and needs to get this done," he said.

But analysts questioned whether Hamas would sign up to another temporary ceasefire like the week-long truce that saw more than 100 hostages released in November, knowing that Israeli troops could resume their onslaught as soon as it was over.

"I'm pessimistic about the option of Hamas agreeing to a deal that doesn't have a permanent&nbsp;ceasefire baked into it," said Mairav Zonszein, senior analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group.

Zonszein said the three countries brokering the truce talks had their own reasons for trying to bounce the warring parties into a deal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-will-enter-rafah-with-or-without-gaza-hostage-deal-says-netanyahu-716734" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-will-enter-rafah-with-or-without-gaza-hostage-deal-says-netanyahu-716734&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJlruhmeyFAxWlUGwGHU6fAH0QFnoECAUQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2EnvTW7xUlz5tSpCxBWH_L&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-will-enter-rafah-with-or-without-gaza-hostage-deal-says-netanyahu-716734" target="_blank">Israeli&nbsp;forces will enter Rafah 'with or without' Gaza hostage deal</a>

"The US and Egypt and Qatar all have very strong interests of their own, for various&nbsp; reasons, why they're trying very hard now to pressure both sides into agreeing to a deal."

"And I think they believe that if they're able to get an initial deal and a pause, that they can try to build on that," he said.

Rafah differences

Hours before Blinken landed in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu fired a shot across his bows, vowing to send Israeli ground troops into Rafah despite repeated US warnings of the potential for heavy casualties among the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in the city.

"We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there with or without a deal," the right-wing premier told hostage families, his office said.

Ahead of what promised to be a difficult meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Blinken too met privately with hostage relatives in Tel Aviv.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-air-strikes-on-rafah-killing-at-least-13-people-hours-before-ceasefire-talks-716049" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-air-strikes-on-rafah-killing-at-least-13-people-hours-before-ceasefire-talks-716049&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJlruhmeyFAxWlUGwGHU6fAH0QFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3udA0Zf4d_kiTMQ-wGZD4D&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-air-strikes-on-rafah-killing-at-least-13-people-hours-before-ceasefire-talks-716049" target="_blank">Israel&nbsp;launches air strikes on Rafah killing at least 13 people</a>

In rare scenes for the top US diplomat, who has faced furore at home and abroad over the administration's support for Israel in its campaign against Hamas, Blinken was greeted outside his Tel Aviv hotel by Israeli demonstrators waving US flags.&nbsp;

Blinken told them that freeing the hostages was "at the heart of everything we're trying to do".&nbsp;

As per estimates, 129 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, 34 of whom are presumed dead.

Many of their families have expressed hope that US pressure may force Netanyahu to agree to a deal for their release.

More routes for aid

On the previous leg of his regional tour in Jordan, Blinken said a Gaza truce and the redoubling of aid deliveries went hand in hand.

A truce is "the most effective way to relieve the suffering" of civilians in Gaza, he told reporters near Amman.

Blinken saw off a first Jordanian truck convoy of aid heading to Gaza through the Erez crossing reopened by Israel.

"It is real and important progress, but more still needs to be done," he said.

UN agencies have warned that without urgent intervention, famine looms in Gaza, particularly in northern areas which are hardest to reach.

A US-built floating pier on Gaza's coast is expected to be completed later this week, said Cyprus, the departure point for the planned "maritime corridor".

Blinken said the pier would "significantly increase the assistance" but was not "a substitute" for greater overland access.

In northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, across from Erez crossing, 24-year-old farmer Yussef Abu Rabih was replanting plots he said had been "completely destroyed" by the fighting.

"We decided to return to farming despite difficult conditions and scarce resources" after suffering "severe hunger", he told AFP.

'Unbearable escalation'

The war started after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,568 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Washington has strongly backed its ally Israel but also pressured it to refrain from a ground invasion of Rafah, which is packed with displaced civilians.

Calev Ben-Dor, a former analyst for the Israeli foreign ministry and now deputy editor for specialised review Fathom, told AFP that Netanyahu's "Rafah comments likely have more to do with trying to keep his coalition intact, rather than operational plans in the near term".

The prime minister "is feeling the squeeze between the Biden administration" and far-right members of his government who have vehemently opposed the proposed truce, Ben-Dor said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said an Israeli assault on Rafah would "be an unbearable escalation, killing thousands more civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee". 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a truce in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send troops into its far southern city of Rafah.

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a truce in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send troops into its far southern city of Rafah. Washington has heightened pressure on all sides to reach a ceasefire -- a message pushed by Blinken, who was on his seventh regional tour since the Gaza war broke out in October. An Israeli official told AFP that the government "will wait for answers until Wednesday night", and then "make a decision" whether to send a delegation to indirect talks being brokered by US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo. Also read: NYPD removes pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University, arrests made The Palestinian militant group said it was considering a plan for a 40-day ceasefire and the exchange of scores of hostages for larger numbers of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas, whose envoys returned from Cairo talks to their base in Qatar, would "discuss the ideas and the proposal", said a Hamas source, adding: "We are keen to respond as quickly as possible." Blinken put the ball squarely in Hamas's court. "There is a very strong proposal on the table right now. Hamas needs to say yes, and needs to get this done," he said. But analysts questioned whether Hamas would sign up to another temporary ceasefire like the week-long truce that saw more than 100 hostages released in November, knowing that Israeli troops could resume their onslaught as soon as it was over. "I'm pessimistic about the option of Hamas agreeing to a deal that doesn't have a permanent ceasefire baked into it," said Mairav Zonszein, senior analyst on Israel-Palestine at the International Crisis Group. Zonszein said the three countries brokering the truce talks had their own reasons for trying to bounce the warring parties into a deal. Also read: Israeli forces will enter Rafah 'with or without' Gaza hostage deal "The US and Egypt and Qatar all have very strong interests of their own, for various reasons, why they're trying very hard now to pressure both sides into agreeing to a deal." "And I think they believe that if they're able to get an initial deal and a pause, that they can try to build on that," he said. Rafah differences Hours before Blinken landed in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu fired a shot across his bows, vowing to send Israeli ground troops into Rafah despite repeated US warnings of the potential for heavy casualties among the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in the city. "We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there with or without a deal," the right-wing premier told hostage families, his office said. Ahead of what promised to be a difficult meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Blinken too met privately with hostage relatives in Tel Aviv. Also read: Israel launches air strikes on Rafah killing at least 13 people In rare scenes for the top US diplomat, who has faced furore at home and abroad over the administration's support for Israel in its campaign against Hamas, Blinken was greeted outside his Tel Aviv hotel by Israeli demonstrators waving US flags. Blinken told them that freeing the hostages was "at the heart of everything we're trying to do". As per estimates, 129 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, 34 of whom are presumed dead. Many of their families have expressed hope that US pressure may force Netanyahu to agree to a deal for their release. More routes for aid On the previous leg of his regional tour in Jordan, Blinken said a Gaza truce and the redoubling of aid deliveries went hand in hand. A truce is "the most effective way to relieve the suffering" of civilians in Gaza, he told reporters near Amman. Blinken saw off a first Jordanian truck convoy of aid heading to Gaza through the Erez crossing reopened by Israel. "It is real and important progress, but more still needs to be done," he said. UN agencies have warned that without urgent intervention, famine looms in Gaza, particularly in northern areas which are hardest to reach. A US-built floating pier on Gaza's coast is expected to be completed later this week, said Cyprus, the departure point for the planned "maritime corridor". Blinken said the pier would "significantly increase the assistance" but was not "a substitute" for greater overland access. In northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, across from Erez crossing, 24-year-old farmer Yussef Abu Rabih was replanting plots he said had been "completely destroyed" by the fighting. "We decided to return to farming despite difficult conditions and scarce resources" after suffering "severe hunger", he told AFP. 'Unbearable escalation' The war started after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,568 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Washington has strongly backed its ally Israel but also pressured it to refrain from a ground invasion of Rafah, which is packed with displaced civilians. Calev Ben-Dor, a former analyst for the Israeli foreign ministry and now deputy editor for specialised review Fathom, told AFP that Netanyahu's "Rafah comments likely have more to do with trying to keep his coalition intact, rather than operational plans in the near term". The prime minister "is feeling the squeeze between the Biden administration" and far-right members of his government who have vehemently opposed the proposed truce, Ben-Dor said. UN chief Antonio Guterres said an Israeli assault on Rafah would "be an unbearable escalation, killing thousands more civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee". (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken urges Hamas to accept Gaza truce as he meets Israel leaders

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened for the first time since the October 7 Hamas attacks, allowing hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded people&nbsp;to exit the war-torn territory on Wednesday (Nov 1).

The Rafah crossing had remained closed for weeks, with convoys of essential aid supplies being the primary items allowed to pass between Egypt and Gaza.

Notably, people had been barred from crossing during this time, contributing to the escalating humanitarian challenges.

Watch the video here:

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<h2>Ambulances cross the Rafah border</h2>

As the border crossing was reopened, queues formed early on Wednesday (Nov 1) at the terminal.

Approximately 545 foreigners and dual nationals, along with around 90 individuals who were sick or wounded, were expected to make their way through the border.

As per AFP reports, first ambulances carrying wounded Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

Live footage broadcast on television networks associated with Egyptian intelligence showed ambulances arriving on the Egyptian side of the Rafah terminal.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-is-the-rafah-border-crossing-the-last-hope-for-gaza-palestinians-647401">Also read |&nbsp;Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians?</a>

<h2>Impact of Israeli air raids&nbsp;</h2>

The reopening of the Rafah crossing came at a time when the region had already witnessed significant challenges.

The terminal area had been affected by Israeli air raids following the Hamas attacks on October 7. Israeli authorities reported that these attacks had resulted in 1,400 casualties, with the majority being civilians.

Additionally, the situation was complicated by the hostage-taking of 240 people.

<h2>Toll of the war</h2>

The retaliatory Israeli strikes after the October 7 Hamas attack has&nbsp;left more than 15,000 individuals wounded, according to reports.

The Hamas-run health ministry further reported that over 8,500 lives had been lost, with a significant proportion being women and children.

The Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Egypt under a 2007 agreement with Israel, serves as the primary exit point for Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians.

Leaving Gaza is challenging, and Egypt has kept the crossing closed during previous Israeli military operations. Fears of permanent resettlement in Sinai and economic pressures complicate the situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened for the first time since the October 7 Hamas attacks, allowing hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded people to exit the war-torn territory on Wednesday (Nov 1).

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was opened for the first time since the October 7 Hamas attacks, allowing hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded people to exit the war-torn territory on Wednesday (Nov 1). The Rafah crossing had remained closed for weeks, with convoys of essential aid supplies being the primary items allowed to pass between Egypt and Gaza. Notably, people had been barred from crossing during this time, contributing to the escalating humanitarian challenges. Watch the video here: Ambulances cross the Rafah border As the border crossing was reopened, queues formed early on Wednesday (Nov 1) at the terminal. Approximately 545 foreigners and dual nationals, along with around 90 individuals who were sick or wounded, were expected to make their way through the border. As per AFP reports, first ambulances carrying wounded Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Live footage broadcast on television networks associated with Egyptian intelligence showed ambulances arriving on the Egyptian side of the Rafah terminal. Also read | Explained: Is the Rafah border crossing the last hope for Gaza Palestinians? Impact of Israeli air raids The reopening of the Rafah crossing came at a time when the region had already witnessed significant challenges. The terminal area had been affected by Israeli air raids following the Hamas attacks on October 7. Israeli authorities reported that these attacks had resulted in 1,400 casualties, with the majority being civilians. Additionally, the situation was complicated by the hostage-taking of 240 people. Toll of the war The retaliatory Israeli strikes after the October 7 Hamas attack has left more than 15,000 individuals wounded, according to reports. The Hamas-run health ministry further reported that over 8,500 lives had been lost, with a significant proportion being women and children. The Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Egypt under a 2007 agreement with Israel, serves as the primary exit point for Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians. Leaving Gaza is challenging, and Egypt has kept the crossing closed during previous Israeli military operations. Fears of permanent resettlement in Sinai and economic pressures complicate the situation. (With inputs from agencies)

Foreigners, injured granted passage to escape war-torn Gaza via Rafah crossing. Watch

On the 19th day of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the toll on Palestinian lives surpasses the cumulative total of the past 15 years, marking a drastic escalation in casualties.

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<h2>700 killed in one day</h2>

The United Nations noted that the death toll on Wednesday (Oct 25), as reported by Gaza's health ministry, exceeded 700 people, marking the highest single-day count since the war began.&nbsp;

Overnight, at least 80 more people were killed, and hundreds sustained injuries, as stated by the ministry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/israel-hamas-war-ground-invasion-looming-israel-asks-google-to-disable-live-traffic-maps-in-gaza-651219">Also read |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Ground invasion looming? Israel asks Google to disable live traffic maps in Gaza</a>

In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority's health ministry reported 102 Palestinian fatalities since October 7, as violence with Israeli troops and settlers continues to escalate.

<h2>Gaza hospitals struggle to operate</h2>

Gaza's medical facilities are also on the brink of a "total collapse," according to Palestinian medics' warnings on Wednesday (Oct 25). The United Nations reported critically low supplies, while the Hamas-run health ministry documented 700 fatalities in Israeli airstrikes within a 24-hour period.

Concern is mounting over the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Israel initiated bombings on October 7 following an attack by Hamas militants who crossed the border, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,400 people, primarily civilians, and the kidnapping of over 220 others, as reported by Israeli officials.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Israel flood Hamas' underground tunnel network?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-israel-flood-hamas-underground-tunnel-network-651281/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

UN data reveals that more than a third of Gaza's 35 hospitals have closed due to damage or a lack of fuel, forcing some doctors to perform surgeries without anesthesia. Israel has disrupted the usual flow of water, food, and supplies to Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, fewer than 70 relief trucks have entered the impoverished territory, with none of them containing fuel, which Israel fears Hamas might repurpose for weapons and explosives.

During the session at the UN Security Council addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict on Tuesday (Oct 24), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the only path to long-lasting peace is the establishment of two separate states for two distinct peoples.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

On the 19th day of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the toll on Palestinian lives surpasses the cumulative total of the past 15 years, marking a drastic escalation in casualties.

On the 19th day of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the toll on Palestinian lives surpasses the cumulative total of the past 15 years, marking a drastic escalation in casualties. × 700 killed in one day The United Nations noted that the death toll on Wednesday (Oct 25), as reported by Gaza's health ministry, exceeded 700 people, marking the highest single-day count since the war began. Overnight, at least 80 more people were killed, and hundreds sustained injuries, as stated by the ministry. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Ground invasion looming? Israel asks Google to disable live traffic maps in Gaza In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority's health ministry reported 102 Palestinian fatalities since October 7, as violence with Israeli troops and settlers continues to escalate. Gaza hospitals struggle to operate Gaza's medical facilities are also on the brink of a "total collapse," according to Palestinian medics' warnings on Wednesday (Oct 25). The United Nations reported critically low supplies, while the Hamas-run health ministry documented 700 fatalities in Israeli airstrikes within a 24-hour period. Concern is mounting over the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Israel initiated bombings on October 7 following an attack by Hamas militants who crossed the border, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,400 people, primarily civilians, and the kidnapping of over 220 others, as reported by Israeli officials. Also watch | Gravitas: Will Israel flood Hamas' underground tunnel network? UN data reveals that more than a third of Gaza's 35 hospitals have closed due to damage or a lack of fuel, forcing some doctors to perform surgeries without anesthesia. Israel has disrupted the usual flow of water, food, and supplies to Gaza. Since the beginning of the conflict, fewer than 70 relief trucks have entered the impoverished territory, with none of them containing fuel, which Israel fears Hamas might repurpose for weapons and explosives. During the session at the UN Security Council addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict on Tuesday (Oct 24), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the only path to long-lasting peace is the establishment of two separate states for two distinct peoples. (With inputs from agencies)

Data Lab | 18 days of Israel-Hamas war sees more Palestinian deaths than 15 years of conflict combined

The Israeli military said on Saturday (Oct 21) that it will immediately step up its strikes in the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas. Speaking to reporters, military spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "We have to enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions, not according to what anyone tells us.

The Israeli military said on Saturday (Oct 21) that it will immediately step up its strikes in the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas. Speaking to reporters, military spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said, "We have to enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions, not according to what anyone tells us. From today, we are increasing the strikes and minimising the danger." Since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7, Israel struck back with devastating air and ground bombardments of Gaza. More than 1,400 people have died in Israel, and 4,385 people have died in Gaza. Israel is now preparing for a widely anticipated ground invasion, amassing tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks along the Gaza border. The military's announcement comes just hours after the first international aid to reach Gaza since October 7 crossed the border from Egypt into the territory. 'Israel army going into Gaza to destroy Hamas' On Saturday, Israel's Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi told troops that the army would go into Gaza to destroy Hamas. "We are going to go into the Gaza Strip, we will embark on a professional operational mission to destroy Hamas operatives and Hamas infrastructure and we will have in our mind the memories of the images and those who fell on Saturday two weeks ago," he said. Also read: UN chief Antonio Guterres urges ceasefire to end Gaza's 'godawful nightmare' A day back, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee that the initial and current phase of incessant strikes across the Palestinian territory would be followed by "neutralising terrorists and destroying Hamas infrastructure". The military campaign will "put in place a new security reality for the citizens of Israel", Gallant added. Turkey's Erdogan discusses Gaza with Hamas leader Also on Saturday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Erdogan told Haniyeh about Ankara's efforts for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and possible treatment of the wounded in Turkey. The Turkish president has called on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza, which he said amounted to genocide, and urged governments worldwide to work for a humanitarian ceasefire in the region. Also read: Israel-Hamas war: Lebanon families move into schools to take shelter from Israeli strikes "I repeat my call for the Israeli leadership to never expand the scope of its attacks on civilians and to immediately end its operations amounting to genocide," Erdogan said in a post on X on Friday. Turkey supports Palestinians, backs a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and hosts members of militant group Hamas. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli military to step up its strikes in Gaza

How the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has targeted Israel

Israeli planes targeted Gaza late on Saturday after clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters at&nbsp;the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-fires-on-protesting-palestinians-in-gaza-24-wounded-407504">Palestinians</a> hurled firebombs at Israeli troops as they fired in return as several were injured, reports said.

Gaza's health ministry said at least 41 civilians were wounded in clashes with Israeli troops as Palestinians tried to climb the Gaza Strip's northern border fence.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-conducts-air-raids-near-syrian-capital-of-damascus-407172/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"IDF (Israeli military) troops responded with riot dispersal means, including when necessary live fire," Israel said in a statement.

The Israeli military said its fighter jets had struck four weapons storage and manufacturing sites belonging to Hamas during the airstrikes.

The Israeli military said it had sent additional forces to the Gaza border area amid threat of retaliatory fire from Hamas and has reportedly deployed the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

The Israeli army alleged that &nbsp;"hundreds of rioters" had tried to scale the northern border and had hurled "explosive devices" as the army fired tear gas shells.

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The military said one police soldier was wounded during the clashes.&nbsp;

Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said its forces will continue to act firmly against the protesters. The latest clashes come as Hamas on Saturday called a protest to mark the burning of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque 52 years ago.

Hamas and Israeli troops were involved in a 11-day conflict in May as Israeli aircraft carried out multiple strikes on&nbsp;Gaza as&nbsp;rockets were fired by militants from the enclave.&nbsp;

A ceasefire was struck later brokered by Egypt&nbsp;however reconstruction activities in Gaza has been stalled even as &nbsp;Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach&nbsp;Palestinians in Gaza, however, other restrictions remain.

On Monday, the Israeli military had said its Iron Dome missile defence system had intercepted a rocket fired by militants in Gaza amid tensions in the area.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Israeli planes targeted Gaza late on Saturday after clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters at the border. Palestinians hurled firebombs at Israeli troops as they fired in return as several were injured, reports said.

Israeli planes targeted Gaza late on Saturday after clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters at the border. Palestinians hurled firebombs at Israeli troops as they fired in return as several were injured, reports said. Gaza's health ministry said at least 41 civilians were wounded in clashes with Israeli troops as Palestinians tried to climb the Gaza Strip's northern border fence. Watch: "IDF (Israeli military) troops responded with riot dispersal means, including when necessary live fire," Israel said in a statement. The Israeli military said its fighter jets had struck four weapons storage and manufacturing sites belonging to Hamas during the airstrikes. The Israeli military said it had sent additional forces to the Gaza border area amid threat of retaliatory fire from Hamas and has reportedly deployed the Iron Dome anti-missile system. The Israeli army alleged that "hundreds of rioters" had tried to scale the northern border and had hurled "explosive devices" as the army fired tear gas shells. The military said one police soldier was wounded during the clashes. Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said its forces will continue to act firmly against the protesters. The latest clashes come as Hamas on Saturday called a protest to mark the burning of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque 52 years ago. Hamas and Israeli troops were involved in a 11-day conflict in May as Israeli aircraft carried out multiple strikes on Gaza as rockets were fired by militants from the enclave. A ceasefire was struck later brokered by Egypt however reconstruction activities in Gaza has been stalled even as Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach Palestinians in Gaza, however, other restrictions remain. On Monday, the Israeli military had said its Iron Dome missile defence system had intercepted a rocket fired by militants in Gaza amid tensions in the area. (With inputs from Agencies)

Israeli jets conduct airstrikes on Gaza after border clashes

Amid tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday a Palestinian woman assailant tried to ram her car and engage in stabbing in the West Bank region, but was killed.

The Army said the incident occurred in the Palestinian town of Hizme near Jerusalem.

Watch:

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“A terrorist tried to ram soldiers near Hizme and then attempted to carry out a stabbing,” the IDF said. "The soldiers responded with fire towards the assailant and neutralised her," the Israeli military said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/explosions-light-up-night-sky-in-gaza-city-391847">In Pics:&nbsp;Explosions light up night sky in Gaza city&nbsp;</a>

The latest incident comes just hours after Israeli jets launched airstrikes on Gaza after accusing the Palestinians of launching incendiary balloons from their territory.

The Israeli military said it targeted a compound belonging to Hamas.&nbsp;The airstrikes come in less than a month after the Israeli government and Hamas had reached a ceasefire after both sides engaged in strikes over each other's territories.

Tuesday's tensions were sparked as Israeli's took out a flag procession in Jerusalem's Old City to celebrate the anniversary of the 1967 war in which Israel captured east Jerusalem.

The march led to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces as&nbsp;Jordan condemned the Jerusalem march.

Palestinian PM Mohamamd Shtayyeh&nbsp;had said the march was a "provocation and aggression against our people".

The Hamas spokesman earlier warned Israeli "not to engage in a military escalation on the basis of the march" however Israeli jets carried out airstrikes as tensions continue to simmer between the two sides.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday a Palestinian woman assailant tried to ram her car and engage in stabbing in the West Bank region, but was killed.

Amid tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday a Palestinian woman assailant tried to ram her car and engage in stabbing in the West Bank region, but was killed. The Army said the incident occurred in the Palestinian town of Hizme near Jerusalem. Watch: “A terrorist tried to ram soldiers near Hizme and then attempted to carry out a stabbing,” the IDF said. "The soldiers responded with fire towards the assailant and neutralised her," the Israeli military said. In Pics: Explosions light up night sky in Gaza city The latest incident comes just hours after Israeli jets launched airstrikes on Gaza after accusing the Palestinians of launching incendiary balloons from their territory. The Israeli military said it targeted a compound belonging to Hamas. The airstrikes come in less than a month after the Israeli government and Hamas had reached a ceasefire after both sides engaged in strikes over each other's territories. Tuesday's tensions were sparked as Israeli's took out a flag procession in Jerusalem's Old City to celebrate the anniversary of the 1967 war in which Israel captured east Jerusalem. The march led to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces as Jordan condemned the Jerusalem march. Palestinian PM Mohamamd Shtayyeh had said the march was a "provocation and aggression against our people". The Hamas spokesman earlier warned Israeli "not to engage in a military escalation on the basis of the march" however Israeli jets carried out airstrikes as tensions continue to simmer between the two sides. (With inputs from Agencies)

Palestinian woman shot dead by Israelis in West Bank over attempted attack

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken who is on a trip to the Middle East in order to ensure peace after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-how-different-is-israel-hamas-ceasefire-this-time-386584">Israeli-Hamas </a>conflict said that a lot of "hard work" was required to restore "hope, respect and some trust" after the clash in Gaza.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-secy-of-state-to-meet-his-israeli-and-palestinian-counterpart-as-for-truce-efforts-387187/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We've seen the alternative and I think that should cause all of us to redouble our efforts to preserve the peace and improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike," Blinken said after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Blinken asserted that Hamas should not benefit from the reconstruction assistance and that the Biden administration will ensure international aid towards rebuilding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypts-sisi-biden-discuss-gaza-ceasefire-reconstruction-387222">Gaza</a>.

Israel's defence ministry had earlier said that the aid meant for Gaza to bypass Hamas and steps to&nbsp;be taken in a way that it does not flow through any international "mechanism" and&nbsp;reaches people directly.

Egypt which helped broker the peace deal has pledged $500 million to the rebuilding effort in Gaza and the UN has said it will release $18.5 million towards humanitarian aid in Gaza.

US President Joe Biden had said that Blinken's visit will ensure&nbsp;"the coordinated international effort to ensure immediate assistance reaches Gaza in a way that benefits the people there and not Hamas".

Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "if Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel, our response will be very powerful."

Hamas and Israel were involved in a raging conflict which lasted for 11 days from May 10 to 21 leading to large scale destruction&nbsp;of Gaza's infrastructure as Israeli jets pounded Hamas targets bringing down several buildings even as Hamas hit back with large scale rocket fire.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken who is on a trip to the Middle East in order to ensure peace after the Israeli-Hamas conflict said that a lot of "hard work" was required to restore "hope, respect and some trust" after the clash in Gaza.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken who is on a trip to the Middle East in order to ensure peace after the Israeli-Hamas conflict said that a lot of "hard work" was required to restore "hope, respect and some trust" after the clash in Gaza. Watch: "We've seen the alternative and I think that should cause all of us to redouble our efforts to preserve the peace and improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike," Blinken said after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Blinken asserted that Hamas should not benefit from the reconstruction assistance and that the Biden administration will ensure international aid towards rebuilding Gaza. Israel's defence ministry had earlier said that the aid meant for Gaza to bypass Hamas and steps to be taken in a way that it does not flow through any international "mechanism" and reaches people directly. Egypt which helped broker the peace deal has pledged $500 million to the rebuilding effort in Gaza and the UN has said it will release $18.5 million towards humanitarian aid in Gaza. US President Joe Biden had said that Blinken's visit will ensure "the coordinated international effort to ensure immediate assistance reaches Gaza in a way that benefits the people there and not Hamas". Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "if Hamas breaks the calm and attacks Israel, our response will be very powerful." Hamas and Israel were involved in a raging conflict which lasted for 11 days from May 10 to 21 leading to large scale destruction of Gaza's infrastructure as Israeli jets pounded Hamas targets bringing down several buildings even as Hamas hit back with large scale rocket fire. (With inputs from agencies)

Have to ensure Hamas does not benefit from reconstruction assistance in Gaza: Blinken

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians escalated two Fridays ago. On May 7 to be precise. However, before one could take stock, fighting broke out which was the worst since 2014.

The conflict lasted 11 days and killed at least 255 people while keeping the world on its toes.

In total, over 4,300 rockets were fired from Gaza.&nbsp;Israel, in turn, bombarded Gaza Strip as 243 people died and more than 100 were women and children.

In Israel, 12 people died including an Indian woman and two Thai nationals. At one point, an all-out war seemed inevitable.

But 11 days of non-stop violence later, the exchange of fire has finally ended after Israel and Gaza agreed to a ceasefire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-clashes-break-out-at-al-aqsa-again-386623">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-clashes-break-out-at-al-aqsa-again-386623/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

An emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly was called. On the agenda was the Israel-Gaza violence.

As countries called for an immediate ceasefire, Israel equated Hamas to the Nazis.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki addressed the assembly. He questioned Israel's use of force and called it a colonising power.

A little later, Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his security cabinet has approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal to end violence.

Hamas quickly responded and said it would honour the deal and a ceasefire was announced even as celebrations broke out in Gaza, Jerusalem and as far away as New York.

The ceasefire came into effect at 2:00 am (local time).

As the fighting ended, a narrative war began and it began with one question - who won this battle?

Both Israel and Gaza are claiming victory. In Gaza, there were cheers and whistles last night as residents took to the streets and they were joined by senior Hamas officials.

"We are celebrating this victory now so let the world listen why we are celebrating. Why we are coming out happily? Because many factors have emerged," Khalil al-Hayya, senior Hamas official, said.

"The Zionist enemy wanted to impose new facts in Jerusalem and Sheikh Jarrah and in our homeland Palestine. So Palestine rose up from its sea to the river, from its north to south to be like one castle, one people in the face of this occupier and say all of us are sacrifice for Palestine, all of us are sacrifice for Jerusalem al-Aqsa," Khalil al-Hayya added.

However, Israeli PM Netanyahu said: "To the citizens of Israel, at the beginning of my speech I would like to thank you for standing strong and for the outstanding strength that you showed during the 11-day campaign that allowed us to accomplish the goals of the campaign with outstanding success.

"Not everything is known to the public by the way, not everything is known to Hamas but our overall achievements will become known over time. Hamas received 11 days and nights of big blows that changed the rules of the game. I want to emphasise that more than anything else, we changed the equation not only for the days of the campaign, we changed the equation for the future," the Israeli PM asserted.

Netanyahu's message was loud and clear - he says Israel won.

Meanwhile a Hamas leader told the media that Israel has made a concession. It's a promise to "lift their hand off Sheikh Jarrah and al-Aqsa mosque".

However, Israel has denied it. Both Israel and Gaza have been trying to tell the world that they have won.

It's a war of narratives and it is being fought on numerous fronts and social media is one of them. It has been quite a lethal battle in the last couple of weeks. Israel has tried to capitalise on its widely-followed handles online. It has fired rockets on Twitter, put up emotionally charged messages.

Palestinians, on the other hand, have been capitalising on the momentum gained from a viral campaign with #SaveSheikhJarrah.

The narrative war is also being fought on the streets. over the weeks, there have been pro-Israel, and pro-Palestine rallies in countries across the world.

One such rally turned deadly today.

In Pakistan, six people were killed in an explosion. Reports say the target was a local leader who was on his way to attend a pro-Palestine rally.

Another weapon in the narrative war are speeches by leaders on what each side have been telling the world.

Israel continues to maintain that it is a nation under attack - a nation that's being forced to defend itself. As for Hamas, it claims to have exposed Israel and shown the world how Israel does not mind killing women and children.

It was the fourth time that the violence between Hamas and Israel escalated to such deadly heights.

While a ceasefire is a start, it is not a solution to a problem that is intertwined in history, geography, identity and religion. The region needs a resolution and unless there is one, West Asia will continue to be hit by repeated waves of violence.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians escalated two Fridays ago. On May 7 to be precise. However, before one could take stock, fighting broke out which was the worst since 2014.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians escalated two Fridays ago. On May 7 to be precise. However, before one could take stock, fighting broke out which was the worst since 2014. The conflict lasted 11 days and killed at least 255 people while keeping the world on its toes. In total, over 4,300 rockets were fired from Gaza. Israel, in turn, bombarded Gaza Strip as 243 people died and more than 100 were women and children. In Israel, 12 people died including an Indian woman and two Thai nationals. At one point, an all-out war seemed inevitable. But 11 days of non-stop violence later, the exchange of fire has finally ended after Israel and Gaza agreed to a ceasefire. Watch | An emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly was called. On the agenda was the Israel-Gaza violence. As countries called for an immediate ceasefire, Israel equated Hamas to the Nazis. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki addressed the assembly. He questioned Israel's use of force and called it a colonising power. A little later, Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his security cabinet has approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal to end violence. Hamas quickly responded and said it would honour the deal and a ceasefire was announced even as celebrations broke out in Gaza, Jerusalem and as far away as New York. The ceasefire came into effect at 2:00 am (local time). As the fighting ended, a narrative war began and it began with one question - who won this battle? Both Israel and Gaza are claiming victory. In Gaza, there were cheers and whistles last night as residents took to the streets and they were joined by senior Hamas officials. "We are celebrating this victory now so let the world listen why we are celebrating. Why we are coming out happily? Because many factors have emerged," Khalil al-Hayya, senior Hamas official, said. "The Zionist enemy wanted to impose new facts in Jerusalem and Sheikh Jarrah and in our homeland Palestine. So Palestine rose up from its sea to the river, from its north to south to be like one castle, one people in the face of this occupier and say all of us are sacrifice for Palestine, all of us are sacrifice for Jerusalem al-Aqsa," Khalil al-Hayya added. However, Israeli PM Netanyahu said: "To the citizens of Israel, at the beginning of my speech I would like to thank you for standing strong and for the outstanding strength that you showed during the 11-day campaign that allowed us to accomplish the goals of the campaign with outstanding success. "Not everything is known to the public by the way, not everything is known to Hamas but our overall achievements will become known over time. Hamas received 11 days and nights of big blows that changed the rules of the game. I want to emphasise that more than anything else, we changed the equation not only for the days of the campaign, we changed the equation for the future," the Israeli PM asserted. Netanyahu's message was loud and clear - he says Israel won. Meanwhile a Hamas leader told the media that Israel has made a concession. It's a promise to "lift their hand off Sheikh Jarrah and al-Aqsa mosque". However, Israel has denied it. Both Israel and Gaza have been trying to tell the world that they have won. It's a war of narratives and it is being fought on numerous fronts and social media is one of them. It has been quite a lethal battle in the last couple of weeks. Israel has tried to capitalise on its widely-followed handles online. It has fired rockets on Twitter, put up emotionally charged messages. Palestinians, on the other hand, have been capitalising on the momentum gained from a viral campaign with #SaveSheikhJarrah. The narrative war is also being fought on the streets. over the weeks, there have been pro-Israel, and pro-Palestine rallies in countries across the world. One such rally turned deadly today. In Pakistan, six people were killed in an explosion. Reports say the target was a local leader who was on his way to attend a pro-Palestine rally. Another weapon in the narrative war are speeches by leaders on what each side have been telling the world. Israel continues to maintain that it is a nation under attack - a nation that's being forced to defend itself. As for Hamas, it claims to have exposed Israel and shown the world how Israel does not mind killing women and children. It was the fourth time that the violence between Hamas and Israel escalated to such deadly heights. While a ceasefire is a start, it is not a solution to a problem that is intertwined in history, geography, identity and religion. The region needs a resolution and unless there is one, West Asia will continue to be hit by repeated waves of violence.

Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire

On May 12, a message appeared in a new WhatsApp channel called “Death to the Arabs.” The message urged Israelis to join a mass street brawl against Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Within hours, dozens of other new WhatsApp groups popped up with variations of the same name and message. The groups soon organized a 6 p.m. start time for a clash in Bat Yam, a town on Israel’s coast.

“Together we organize and together we act,” read a message in one of the WhatsApp groups. “Tell your friends to join the group, because here we know how to defend Jewish honour.”

That evening, live scenes aired of black-clad Israelis smashing car windows and roaming the streets of Bat Yam. The mob pulled one man they presumed to be Arab from his car and beat him unconscious. He was hospitalized in serious condition.

The episode was one of dozens across Israel that the authorities have linked to a surge of activity by Jewish extremists on WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service owned by Facebook.

Since violence between Israelis and Palestinians escalated last week, at least 100 new WhatsApp groups have been formed for the express purpose of committing violence against Palestinians, according to an analysis by The New York Times and FakeReporter, an Israeli watchdog group that studies misinformation.

The WhatsApp groups, with names like “The Jewish Guard” and “The Revenge Troops,” have added hundreds of members a day over the past week, according to The Times’ analysis. The groups, which are in Hebrew, have also been featured on email lists and online message boards used by far-right extremists in Israel.

While social media and messaging apps have been used in the past to spread hate speech and inspire violence, these WhatsApp groups go further, researchers said. That’s because the groups are explicitly planning and executing violent acts against Palestinian citizens of Israel, who make up roughly 20% of the population and live largely integrated lives with Jewish neighbours.

That is far more specific than past WhatsApp-fueled mob attacks in India, where calls for violence were vague and generally not targeted at individuals or businesses, the researchers said.

Even the Stop the Steal groups in the United States that organized the Jan. 6 protests in Washington did not openly direct attacks using social media or messaging apps, they said.

The proliferation of these WhatsApp groups has alarmed Israeli security officials and disinformation researchers. In the groups, attacks have been carefully documented, with members often gloating about taking part in the violence, according to The Times’ review.

Some said they were taking revenge for rockets being fired onto Israel from militants in the Gaza Strip, while others cited different grievances. Many solicited names of Arab-owned businesses they could target next.

“It is a perfect storm of people empowered to use their own names and phone numbers to openly call for violence, and having a tool like WhatsApp to organize themselves into mobs,” said Achiya Schatz, director of FakeReporter.

He said his organization had reported many of the new WhatsApp groups to Israeli police, who initially took no action “but now are starting to act and try to prevent the violence.”

Micky Rosenfeld, a spokesman for the Israeli police, said, “Police are tracking social media and monitoring movements on the ground.” He said that while Israelis have been involved in some attacks, they were largely “protecting themselves” against attacks by Palestinian citizens of Israel. He added, “Police investigations are continuing.”

Israeli security officials said law enforcement authorities began monitoring the WhatsApp groups after being alerted by FakeReporter. The police, Schatz said, believed attacks by the Jewish extremists were inflamed by and organized on the WhatsApp groups.

One official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that the police had not seen similar WhatsApp groups forming among Palestinians. Islamic movements, including Hamas, the militant Palestinian organization that controls the Gaza Strip, have long organized and recruited followers on social media but do not plan attacks on the services for fear of being discovered.

A WhatsApp spokeswoman said the messaging service was concerned by the activity from Israeli extremists. She said the company had removed some accounts of people who participated in the groups. WhatsApp cannot read the encrypted messages on its service, she added, but it has acted when accounts were reported to it for violating its terms of service.

“We take action to ban accounts we believe may be involved in causing imminent harm,” she said.

In Israel, WhatsApp has long been used to form groups so people can communicate and share interests or plan school activities. As violence soared between Israel’s military and Palestinian militants in Gaza over the past week, WhatsApp was also one of the platforms where false information about the conflict has spread.

Tensions in the area ran so high that new groups calling for revenge against Palestinians began emerging on WhatsApp and on other messaging services like Telegram. The first WhatsApp groups appeared May 11, Schatz said. By May 12, his organization had found dozens of the groups.

People can join the groups through a link, many of which are shared within existing WhatsApp groups. Once they have joined one group, other groups are advertised to them.

The groups have since grown steadily in size, Schatz said. Some have become so big that they have branched off into local chapters that are dedicated to certain cities and towns. To evade detection by WhatsApp, organizers of the groups are urging people to vet new members, he said.

On Telegram, Israelis have formed roughly 20 channels to commit and plan violence against Palestinians, according to FakeReporter. Much of the content and messaging in those groups imitates what is in the WhatsApp channels.

On one new WhatsApp group that The Times reviewed, “The Revenge Troops,” people recently shared instructions for how to build Molotov cocktails and makeshift explosives. The group asked its 400 members to also provide addresses of Arab-owned businesses that could be targeted.

In another group with just under 100 members, people shared photos of guns, knives and other weapons as they discussed engaging in street combat in mixed Jewish-Arab cities. Another new WhatsApp group was named “The unapologetic right-wing group.”

After participating in attacks, members of the groups posted photos of their exploits and encouraged others to mimic them.

“We destroyed them, we left them in pieces,” said one person in “The Revenge Troops” WhatsApp group, alongside a photo showing smashed car windows. In a different group, a video was uploaded of black-clad Jewish youths stopping cars on an unnamed street and asking drivers if they were Jewish or Arab.

We beat “the enemy car-by-car,” said a comment posted underneath the video, using an expletive.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel visited Lod, a mixed Jewish-Arab city in central Israel that has been the scene of recent clashes.

“There is no greater threat now than these riots, and it is essential to bring back law and order,” said Netanyahu.

Within some of the WhatsApp groups, Netanyahu’s calls for peace were ridiculed.

“Our government is too weak to do what is necessary, so we take it into our own hands,” wrote one person in a WhatsApp group dedicated to city of Ramle in central Israel. “Now that we have organized, they can’t stop us.”

On May 12, a message appeared in a new WhatsApp channel called “Death to the Arabs.” The message urged Israelis to join a mass street brawl against Palestinian citizens of Israel.

On May 12, a message appeared in a new WhatsApp channel called “Death to the Arabs.” The message urged Israelis to join a mass street brawl against Palestinian citizens of Israel. Within hours, dozens of other new WhatsApp groups popped up with variations of the same name and message. The groups soon organized a 6 p.m. start time for a clash in Bat Yam, a town on Israel’s coast. “Together we organize and together we act,” read a message in one of the WhatsApp groups. “Tell your friends to join the group, because here we know how to defend Jewish honour.” That evening, live scenes aired of black-clad Israelis smashing car windows and roaming the streets of Bat Yam. The mob pulled one man they presumed to be Arab from his car and beat him unconscious. He was hospitalized in serious condition. The episode was one of dozens across Israel that the authorities have linked to a surge of activity by Jewish extremists on WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service owned by Facebook. Since violence between Israelis and Palestinians escalated last week, at least 100 new WhatsApp groups have been formed for the express purpose of committing violence against Palestinians, according to an analysis by The New York Times and FakeReporter, an Israeli watchdog group that studies misinformation. The WhatsApp groups, with names like “The Jewish Guard” and “The Revenge Troops,” have added hundreds of members a day over the past week, according to The Times’ analysis. The groups, which are in Hebrew, have also been featured on email lists and online message boards used by far-right extremists in Israel. While social media and messaging apps have been used in the past to spread hate speech and inspire violence, these WhatsApp groups go further, researchers said. That’s because the groups are explicitly planning and executing violent acts against Palestinian citizens of Israel, who make up roughly 20% of the population and live largely integrated lives with Jewish neighbours. That is far more specific than past WhatsApp-fueled mob attacks in India, where calls for violence were vague and generally not targeted at individuals or businesses, the researchers said. Even the Stop the Steal groups in the United States that organized the Jan. 6 protests in Washington did not openly direct attacks using social media or messaging apps, they said. The proliferation of these WhatsApp groups has alarmed Israeli security officials and disinformation researchers. In the groups, attacks have been carefully documented, with members often gloating about taking part in the violence, according to The Times’ review. Some said they were taking revenge for rockets being fired onto Israel from militants in the Gaza Strip, while others cited different grievances. Many solicited names of Arab-owned businesses they could target next. “It is a perfect storm of people empowered to use their own names and phone numbers to openly call for violence, and having a tool like WhatsApp to organize themselves into mobs,” said Achiya Schatz, director of FakeReporter. He said his organization had reported many of the new WhatsApp groups to Israeli police, who initially took no action “but now are starting to act and try to prevent the violence.” Micky Rosenfeld, a spokesman for the Israeli police, said, “Police are tracking social media and monitoring movements on the ground.” He said that while Israelis have been involved in some attacks, they were largely “protecting themselves” against attacks by Palestinian citizens of Israel. He added, “Police investigations are continuing.” Israeli security officials said law enforcement authorities began monitoring the WhatsApp groups after being alerted by FakeReporter. The police, Schatz said, believed attacks by the Jewish extremists were inflamed by and organized on the WhatsApp groups. One official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that the police had not seen similar WhatsApp groups forming among Palestinians. Islamic movements, including Hamas, the militant Palestinian organization that controls the Gaza Strip, have long organized and recruited followers on social media but do not plan attacks on the services for fear of being discovered. A WhatsApp spokeswoman said the messaging service was concerned by the activity from Israeli extremists. She said the company had removed some accounts of people who participated in the groups. WhatsApp cannot read the encrypted messages on its service, she added, but it has acted when accounts were reported to it for violating its terms of service. “We take action to ban accounts we believe may be involved in causing imminent harm,” she said. In Israel, WhatsApp has long been used to form groups so people can communicate and share interests or plan school activities. As violence soared between Israel’s military and Palestinian militants in Gaza over the past week, WhatsApp was also one of the platforms where false information about the conflict has spread. Tensions in the area ran so high that new groups calling for revenge against Palestinians began emerging on WhatsApp and on other messaging services like Telegram. The first WhatsApp groups appeared May 11, Schatz said. By May 12, his organization had found dozens of the groups. People can join the groups through a link, many of which are shared within existing WhatsApp groups. Once they have joined one group, other groups are advertised to them. The groups have since grown steadily in size, Schatz said. Some have become so big that they have branched off into local chapters that are dedicated to certain cities and towns. To evade detection by WhatsApp, organizers of the groups are urging people to vet new members, he said. On Telegram, Israelis have formed roughly 20 channels to commit and plan violence against Palestinians, according to FakeReporter. Much of the content and messaging in those groups imitates what is in the WhatsApp channels. On one new WhatsApp group that The Times reviewed, “The Revenge Troops,” people recently shared instructions for how to build Molotov cocktails and makeshift explosives. The group asked its 400 members to also provide addresses of Arab-owned businesses that could be targeted. In another group with just under 100 members, people shared photos of guns, knives and other weapons as they discussed engaging in street combat in mixed Jewish-Arab cities. Another new WhatsApp group was named “The unapologetic right-wing group.” After participating in attacks, members of the groups posted photos of their exploits and encouraged others to mimic them. “We destroyed them, we left them in pieces,” said one person in “The Revenge Troops” WhatsApp group, alongside a photo showing smashed car windows. In a different group, a video was uploaded of black-clad Jewish youths stopping cars on an unnamed street and asking drivers if they were Jewish or Arab. We beat “the enemy car-by-car,” said a comment posted underneath the video, using an expletive. Over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel visited Lod, a mixed Jewish-Arab city in central Israel that has been the scene of recent clashes. “There is no greater threat now than these riots, and it is essential to bring back law and order,” said Netanyahu. Within some of the WhatsApp groups, Netanyahu’s calls for peace were ridiculed. “Our government is too weak to do what is necessary, so we take it into our own hands,” wrote one person in a WhatsApp group dedicated to city of Ramle in central Israel. “Now that we have organized, they can’t stop us.”

Mob violence against Palestinians in Israel is fueled by groups on WhatsApp

Amid continued fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, US secretary of state Anthony Blinken on Monday asked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-conflict-idf-strikes-hamas-tunnels-in-gaza-world-leaders-call-for-de-escalation-385580">Israel</a> to provide "justification"&nbsp;for the strike on media building&nbsp;while asking for details.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaza-six-year-old-survives-airstrike-385587/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Israel on Saturday had attacked the AP news agency and Al Jazeera offices and PM<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-defends-media-house-attack-says-building-was-legitimate-target-385466"> Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;had asserted that it hosted a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-palestine-conflict-gaza-fighting-enters-second-week-death-toll-nears-200-385493">Palestinian</a> "terrorist&nbsp;intelligence office", while stating that "it was a perfectly legitimate target".

Israel's army informed that Palestinian militants had fired 60 rockets overnight as Israel continued its airstrikes with at least three Palestinians killed in the latest strikes.&nbsp;

Blinken on Monday urged Israel and Palestinians to "protect civilians, especially children" with the fighting showing no signs of abating.

"We'll continue to conduct intensive diplomacy to bring this current cycle of violence to an end" and "we are ready to lend support, if the parties seek a ceasefire", the US secretary of state said.

Meanwhile, Israel continued to bomb Gaza with Palestinian militants reportedly firing&nbsp;several rockets towards Israel as the conflict entered its second week.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-3000-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel-army-claims-385423"> Israeli</a> army said it was targeting "high-ranking" Hamas commanders pointing their missiles towards their homes including Hamas underground tunnels.

At least 42 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to officials with the death toll rising to 198 including 58 children, the officials added that 1,200 people have been wounded.

In Israel, officials said 10 people have been killed and 294 injured after Hamas fired rockets at the country.

PM Netanyahu said "campaign against the terrorist organisations is continuing with full force" and "would take time to finish".

Amid continued fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, US secretary of state Anthony Blinken on Monday asked Israel to provide "justification" for the strike on media building while asking for details.

Amid continued fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, US secretary of state Anthony Blinken on Monday asked Israel to provide "justification" for the strike on media building while asking for details. Watch: Israel on Saturday had attacked the AP news agency and Al Jazeera offices and PM Netanyahu had asserted that it hosted a Palestinian "terrorist intelligence office", while stating that "it was a perfectly legitimate target". Israel's army informed that Palestinian militants had fired 60 rockets overnight as Israel continued its airstrikes with at least three Palestinians killed in the latest strikes. Blinken on Monday urged Israel and Palestinians to "protect civilians, especially children" with the fighting showing no signs of abating. "We'll continue to conduct intensive diplomacy to bring this current cycle of violence to an end" and "we are ready to lend support, if the parties seek a ceasefire", the US secretary of state said. Meanwhile, Israel continued to bomb Gaza with Palestinian militants reportedly firing several rockets towards Israel as the conflict entered its second week. The Israeli army said it was targeting "high-ranking" Hamas commanders pointing their missiles towards their homes including Hamas underground tunnels. At least 42 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to officials with the death toll rising to 198 including 58 children, the officials added that 1,200 people have been wounded. In Israel, officials said 10 people have been killed and 294 injured after Hamas fired rockets at the country. PM Netanyahu said "campaign against the terrorist organisations is continuing with full force" and "would take time to finish".

Need details, justification from Israel for strikes on media outlets in Gaza: US

The Israeli army said it launched artillery towards Lebanon on Monday in response to rocket fire from the neighbouring country that failed to hit the Jewish state.

"Six failed launch attempts were identified from Lebanon that did not cross into Israeli territory," the army said in a statement. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/need-details-justification-from-israel-for-strikes-on-media-outlets-in-gaza-us-385646">Also read | Need details, justification from Israel for strikes on media outlets in Gaza: US</a> 
 
"Artillery forces fired toward the sources of the launches."

A Lebanese military source told AFP three rockets had been fired from Southern Lebanon towards Israel.

"Three Grad-type rockets were fired from the Shebaa Farms area," not far from the Israeli border, the Lebanese military source said.

"The situation in the area is now calm," tweeted the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, which is in contact with both countries, several hours after the rocket fire.

It is the second time rockets have been launched from Lebanese territory towards Israel since hostilities flared between the Jewish state and armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip last week.

Last Thursday, three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon near the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyeh toward Israel, a Lebanese military source said. Israel's army said those rockets had landed in the sea.

A source close to Israel's arch-enemy Hezbollah said the Lebanese Shiite group had no link to the incident.

Protests have also been held against Israel's air campaign on Gaza, with a Lebanese demonstrator killed by Israeli fire last week during a rally in the border area.

That came after a number of young demonstrators had tried to cross into the northern Israeli border town of Metula, according to Lebanese state media.

The Israeli army said Monday that in recent days it had "spotted a number of Lebanese suspects approaching the security fence" and damaging it.

"The IDF views any attempt to breach Israel's sovereignty with great severity, and will continue to operate in both overt and covert ways in the area," it said in a statement.

Over 200 people have been killed in the exchange of fire between Israel and armed groups in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave controlled by Islamists Hamas.

Israel launched airstrikes last Monday in response to rocket fire from Hamas towards Jerusalem.

That was in response to bloody Israeli police action at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, as well as a crackdown on protests against the planned Israeli expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in annexed east Jerusalem.

The Israeli army said it launched artillery towards Lebanon on Monday in response to rocket fire from the neighbouring country that failed to hit the Jewish state.

The Israeli army said it launched artillery towards Lebanon on Monday in response to rocket fire from the neighbouring country that failed to hit the Jewish state. "Six failed launch attempts were identified from Lebanon that did not cross into Israeli territory," the army said in a statement. Also read | Need details, justification from Israel for strikes on media outlets in Gaza: US "Artillery forces fired toward the sources of the launches." A Lebanese military source told AFP three rockets had been fired from Southern Lebanon towards Israel. "Three Grad-type rockets were fired from the Shebaa Farms area," not far from the Israeli border, the Lebanese military source said. "The situation in the area is now calm," tweeted the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, which is in contact with both countries, several hours after the rocket fire. It is the second time rockets have been launched from Lebanese territory towards Israel since hostilities flared between the Jewish state and armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip last week. Last Thursday, three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon near the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyeh toward Israel, a Lebanese military source said. Israel's army said those rockets had landed in the sea. A source close to Israel's arch-enemy Hezbollah said the Lebanese Shiite group had no link to the incident. Protests have also been held against Israel's air campaign on Gaza, with a Lebanese demonstrator killed by Israeli fire last week during a rally in the border area. That came after a number of young demonstrators had tried to cross into the northern Israeli border town of Metula, according to Lebanese state media. The Israeli army said Monday that in recent days it had "spotted a number of Lebanese suspects approaching the security fence" and damaging it. "The IDF views any attempt to breach Israel's sovereignty with great severity, and will continue to operate in both overt and covert ways in the area," it said in a statement. Over 200 people have been killed in the exchange of fire between Israel and armed groups in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave controlled by Islamists Hamas. Israel launched airstrikes last Monday in response to rocket fire from Hamas towards Jerusalem. That was in response to bloody Israeli police action at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, as well as a crackdown on protests against the planned Israeli expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in annexed east Jerusalem.

Israeli army says fires artillery at Lebanon after rocket fire

Why Israeli fighter jets are targeting buildings in Gaza

They smuggle the parts or make their own, aided with know-how from Iran. They repurpose plumbing pipes scavenged from abandoned Israeli settlements and components culled from dud Israeli bombs. They assemble the rockets underground or in dense neighbourhoods that the Israelis are reluctant to strike.

Despite Israel’s vaunted surveillance capability and overwhelming military firepower next door, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have managed to amass a large arsenal of rockets with an enhanced range in the 16 years since Israel vacated the coastal enclave it had occupied after the 1967 war.

Hamas, the militant group that has run Gaza since 2007 and does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, has parlayed the arsenal into an increasingly lethal threat, as seen in the most recent upsurge of hostilities with the Israeli military. By Thursday, Israeli officials said, the militants had fired about 1,800 rockets.

The arsenal pales in comparison to the vast destructive powers of Israel’s air force. But to Israelis, the rockets are the tools of what their country and many others including the United States regard as a terrorist organization, embedded among the nearly 2 million Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza.

To many Palestinians, the rockets symbolize their rightful resistance to Israeli dominance and occupation.

How many rockets have been amassed by Hamas and its allies?

Israeli intelligence has estimated that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups have about 30,000 rockets and mortar projectiles stashed in Gaza. The rockets are of widely varying ranges and lack guidance systems, but the militants have been able to improve their accuracy.

What is new about the latest volleys launched from Gaza?

The number of rockets fired each day in the most recent spate of hostilities is unprecedented. And while the majority of the rockets appear to be aimed at population centres across southern and central Israel, longer-range rockets were launched at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This is a sign, experts say, that Hamas has not only managed to replenish its arsenal but has improved its capabilities.

Some Israeli commanders have expressed surprise at both the intensity and range of the Gaza rockets.

An analysis by Michael Armstrong, an associate professor of operations research at Brock University in Canada, found a significant increase in the rate of fire. Using numbers from the Israel Defense Forces, Armstrong, who studies these weapons, cited 470 rockets fired from Gaza during the first 24 hours of the most recent escalation compared to a peak of 192 rockets per day in 2014 and 312 in 2012.

Hamas, he says, also launched more long-range attacks with 130 rockets fired at Tel Aviv late Tuesday, representing close to 17% of all fired until that point. In 2014, that rate was at 8% and in 2012 at less than 1%.

“We still don’t know if Hamas has more long-range rockets, or if they are choosing to use their best stuff first,” Armstrong said.

Why can’t Israel’s military destroy all the rockets in flight?

Israel has successfully thwarted many of the rockets fired with its Iron Dome antimissile defence system, destroying them before they land. But an increasing number of rockets have slammed into Israeli territory, some with deadly effect. Experts say the militants now know that the intensity of the barrages — and the multiple directions from which they launch — have exposed vulnerabilities in the Israeli defence.

“It seems they’re looking to overload or saturate Israel’s interceptive system, which can only handle a certain number of attacks at once,” Armstrong said.

What are the ranges of these rockets?

A sizable portion of the arsenal is believed to be short-range rockets, known as Qassams, named after the Hamas military wing, which has a range of roughly 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) and is more easily and cheaply produced than longer-range weapons. They have unpredictable trajectories and some land inside Gaza.

The arsenal’s medium-range rockets, based on Iranian and Russian design, can reach targets up to 25 miles, making Israeli targets as far as the Tel Aviv suburbs vulnerable. Versions of these weapons are believed to be produced inside Gaza.

The longest-range rockets can travel much farther and can hit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion Airport. They include the M-75, a locally made rocket with technology supplied by Iran, and the J-80, a locally made rocket named after a famous Hamas military commander, Ahmed al-Jabari, killed by an Israeli airstrike in 2012. The numbers refer to their estimated ranges in kilometres.

On Thursday, Hamas claimed in a statement that it has a missile with a range of 250 kilometres (about 155 miles) that can hit anywhere in Israel.

How have Gaza militants preserved or even grown their arsenal?

In the past, medium- and longer-range rockets were typically smuggled through tunnels along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, and in some cases smuggled in parts, then assembled in Gaza. But in recent years, with Egypt making a more concerted effort to block and destroy the tunnels, smuggling whole rockets has become far more problematic. So Hamas and its affiliates in Gaza have developed their production skills.

Michael Herzog, an Israel-based international fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a retired brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces, said Israeli military and intelligence officials are now far more concerned about the abilities of the militants to produce rockets they once had to import.

“The focus of IDF targeting now is on the production facilities so that when this round of fighting ends, there will not only be fewer rockets but also fewer production capabilities for making them,” Herzog said.

Who has helped Hamas and its allies achieve this capability?

The Gaza militants have openly attributed their success to help supplied by Iran, which Israel regards as its most potent foreign adversary. Iranian officials, too, are not shy about their relationship with Hamas.

Speaking to a large gathering in May 2019, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, could not have been more explicit in acknowledging Iran’s critical role in assisting Hamas.

“If it wasn’t for Iran’s support,” he said, “we would not have had these capabilities.”

Along with providing smuggled weapons and equipment, Iran has been focused on training to help Hamas upgrade local production, extend the range of rockets and improve their accuracy, according to both Palestinian and Israeli officials and experts.

“It is a huge improvement going from firing one or two rockets at a time to launching 130 rockets in five minutes,” said Rami Abu Zubaydah, a Gaza-based military expert, referring to the frequency of fire seen in the past few days.

“Most weapons are now manufactured in Gaza, using technical expertise from Iran,” he said.

How else have Gaza’s rocket makers skirted the blockade?

While still having to rely on smuggling parts and raw materials, Hamas leaders say the group has engineered creative workarounds to overcome tighter border controls and surveillance.

A 50-minute documentary broadcast by the Qatari-owned television channel Al-Jazeera in September showed rare scenes of Hamas militants recovering dozens of Israeli missiles that had not detonated in previous strikes on Gaza.

They brought the remnants into what looked like a hidden manufacturing facility, carefully extracted the explosives packed inside and recycled some of the parts. The same documentary also showed militants digging up old water pipes from where Israeli settlements used to sit and repurposing the empty cylinders in the production of new rockets.

Referring to the repurposed plumbing pipes, while speaking in another gathering in 2019, Sinwar said, “There is enough there to manufacture rockets for the coming 10 years.”

They smuggle the parts or make their own, aided with know-how from Iran. They repurpose plumbing pipes scavenged from abandoned Israeli settlements and components culled from dud Israeli bombs.

They smuggle the parts or make their own, aided with know-how from Iran. They repurpose plumbing pipes scavenged from abandoned Israeli settlements and components culled from dud Israeli bombs. They assemble the rockets underground or in dense neighbourhoods that the Israelis are reluctant to strike. Despite Israel’s vaunted surveillance capability and overwhelming military firepower next door, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have managed to amass a large arsenal of rockets with an enhanced range in the 16 years since Israel vacated the coastal enclave it had occupied after the 1967 war. Hamas, the militant group that has run Gaza since 2007 and does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, has parlayed the arsenal into an increasingly lethal threat, as seen in the most recent upsurge of hostilities with the Israeli military. By Thursday, Israeli officials said, the militants had fired about 1,800 rockets. The arsenal pales in comparison to the vast destructive powers of Israel’s air force. But to Israelis, the rockets are the tools of what their country and many others including the United States regard as a terrorist organization, embedded among the nearly 2 million Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza. To many Palestinians, the rockets symbolize their rightful resistance to Israeli dominance and occupation. How many rockets have been amassed by Hamas and its allies? Israeli intelligence has estimated that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups have about 30,000 rockets and mortar projectiles stashed in Gaza. The rockets are of widely varying ranges and lack guidance systems, but the militants have been able to improve their accuracy. What is new about the latest volleys launched from Gaza? The number of rockets fired each day in the most recent spate of hostilities is unprecedented. And while the majority of the rockets appear to be aimed at population centres across southern and central Israel, longer-range rockets were launched at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This is a sign, experts say, that Hamas has not only managed to replenish its arsenal but has improved its capabilities. Some Israeli commanders have expressed surprise at both the intensity and range of the Gaza rockets. An analysis by Michael Armstrong, an associate professor of operations research at Brock University in Canada, found a significant increase in the rate of fire. Using numbers from the Israel Defense Forces, Armstrong, who studies these weapons, cited 470 rockets fired from Gaza during the first 24 hours of the most recent escalation compared to a peak of 192 rockets per day in 2014 and 312 in 2012. Hamas, he says, also launched more long-range attacks with 130 rockets fired at Tel Aviv late Tuesday, representing close to 17% of all fired until that point. In 2014, that rate was at 8% and in 2012 at less than 1%. “We still don’t know if Hamas has more long-range rockets, or if they are choosing to use their best stuff first,” Armstrong said. Why can’t Israel’s military destroy all the rockets in flight? Israel has successfully thwarted many of the rockets fired with its Iron Dome antimissile defence system, destroying them before they land. But an increasing number of rockets have slammed into Israeli territory, some with deadly effect. Experts say the militants now know that the intensity of the barrages — and the multiple directions from which they launch — have exposed vulnerabilities in the Israeli defence. “It seems they’re looking to overload or saturate Israel’s interceptive system, which can only handle a certain number of attacks at once,” Armstrong said. What are the ranges of these rockets? A sizable portion of the arsenal is believed to be short-range rockets, known as Qassams, named after the Hamas military wing, which has a range of roughly 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) and is more easily and cheaply produced than longer-range weapons. They have unpredictable trajectories and some land inside Gaza. The arsenal’s medium-range rockets, based on Iranian and Russian design, can reach targets up to 25 miles, making Israeli targets as far as the Tel Aviv suburbs vulnerable. Versions of these weapons are believed to be produced inside Gaza. The longest-range rockets can travel much farther and can hit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion Airport. They include the M-75, a locally made rocket with technology supplied by Iran, and the J-80, a locally made rocket named after a famous Hamas military commander, Ahmed al-Jabari, killed by an Israeli airstrike in 2012. The numbers refer to their estimated ranges in kilometres. On Thursday, Hamas claimed in a statement that it has a missile with a range of 250 kilometres (about 155 miles) that can hit anywhere in Israel. How have Gaza militants preserved or even grown their arsenal? In the past, medium- and longer-range rockets were typically smuggled through tunnels along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, and in some cases smuggled in parts, then assembled in Gaza. But in recent years, with Egypt making a more concerted effort to block and destroy the tunnels, smuggling whole rockets has become far more problematic. So Hamas and its affiliates in Gaza have developed their production skills. Michael Herzog, an Israel-based international fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a retired brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces, said Israeli military and intelligence officials are now far more concerned about the abilities of the militants to produce rockets they once had to import. “The focus of IDF targeting now is on the production facilities so that when this round of fighting ends, there will not only be fewer rockets but also fewer production capabilities for making them,” Herzog said. Who has helped Hamas and its allies achieve this capability? The Gaza militants have openly attributed their success to help supplied by Iran, which Israel regards as its most potent foreign adversary. Iranian officials, too, are not shy about their relationship with Hamas. Speaking to a large gathering in May 2019, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, could not have been more explicit in acknowledging Iran’s critical role in assisting Hamas. “If it wasn’t for Iran’s support,” he said, “we would not have had these capabilities.” Along with providing smuggled weapons and equipment, Iran has been focused on training to help Hamas upgrade local production, extend the range of rockets and improve their accuracy, according to both Palestinian and Israeli officials and experts. “It is a huge improvement going from firing one or two rockets at a time to launching 130 rockets in five minutes,” said Rami Abu Zubaydah, a Gaza-based military expert, referring to the frequency of fire seen in the past few days. “Most weapons are now manufactured in Gaza, using technical expertise from Iran,” he said. How else have Gaza’s rocket makers skirted the blockade? While still having to rely on smuggling parts and raw materials, Hamas leaders say the group has engineered creative workarounds to overcome tighter border controls and surveillance. A 50-minute documentary broadcast by the Qatari-owned television channel Al-Jazeera in September showed rare scenes of Hamas militants recovering dozens of Israeli missiles that had not detonated in previous strikes on Gaza. They brought the remnants into what looked like a hidden manufacturing facility, carefully extracted the explosives packed inside and recycled some of the parts. The same documentary also showed militants digging up old water pipes from where Israeli settlements used to sit and repurposing the empty cylinders in the production of new rockets. Referring to the repurposed plumbing pipes, while speaking in another gathering in 2019, Sinwar said, “There is enough there to manufacture rockets for the coming 10 years.”

Gaza’s rockets: A replenished arsenal that vexes Israel

Israel's Gaza offensive: How 160 jets pounded 150 targets in 40 minutes with 450 missiles

Defending the Netanyahu government’s response to Palestinian rocket attacks, US President Joe Biden has said on Thursday that he has not seen a “significant overreaction” from Israel in response to rocket fire from Gaza amid the latest regional flare-up.

"One of the things that I have seen thus far is that there has not been a significant over-reaction," Biden said at the White House.&nbsp;

"The question is how we get to a point where, how they get to a point where there is a significant reduction in the attacks, particularly the rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired into population centres." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-rocket-attack-israeli-energy-pipeline-hit-as-iron-dome-fails-to-intercept-missile-384683">Also read | Gaza rocket attack: Israeli energy pipeline hit as Iron Dome fails to intercept missile</a> 
 
On Wednesday, US President Biden had said&nbsp;“My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later," Biden told reporters at the White House. “But Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory." 
 
Watch | Israel-Palestine clashes: What is happening in Gaza?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-clashes-what-is-happening-in-gaza-384844/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The U.S. strategy has been a basic one: Get the violence to stop, and restore what officials called a sustainable calm, but even that has been elusive.

Amid calls for the United States to do more and for Biden to step in more directly, it is unclear how the president could prevail on both sides in the protracted conflict he has tracked for decades as a US&nbsp;senator and then vice president. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-gal-gadot-expresses-concern-over-israel-palestine-conflict-my-country-is-at-war-worry-for-my-family-and-friends-384679">Also read | Gal Gadot expresses concern over Israel-Palestine conflict: My country is at war, worry for my family and friends</a>

Biden shifted US&nbsp;policy sharply in taking over from Republican Donald Trump, waiting weeks to talk to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time and re-emphasizing the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a major bombardment of the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land as Netanyahu vows to extract a ‘heavy price’ from Hamas.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, over 1,050 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the outbreak of fighting on Monday evening, with 200 failing to clear the border and landing inside the enclave.

IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman says the Iron Dome air defence system had an interception rate between 85 and 90 per cent of rockets heading toward populated areas.

(With inputs from agencies)

Defending the Netanyahu government’s response to Palestinian rocket attacks, US President Joe Biden has said on Thursday that he has not seen a “significant overreaction” from Israel in response to rocket fire from Gaza amid the latest regional flare-up.

Defending the Netanyahu government’s response to Palestinian rocket attacks, US President Joe Biden has said on Thursday that he has not seen a “significant overreaction” from Israel in response to rocket fire from Gaza amid the latest regional flare-up. "One of the things that I have seen thus far is that there has not been a significant over-reaction," Biden said at the White House. "The question is how we get to a point where, how they get to a point where there is a significant reduction in the attacks, particularly the rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired into population centres." Also read | Gaza rocket attack: Israeli energy pipeline hit as Iron Dome fails to intercept missile On Wednesday, US President Biden had said “My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later," Biden told reporters at the White House. “But Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory." Watch | Israel-Palestine clashes: What is happening in Gaza? The U.S. strategy has been a basic one: Get the violence to stop, and restore what officials called a sustainable calm, but even that has been elusive. Amid calls for the United States to do more and for Biden to step in more directly, it is unclear how the president could prevail on both sides in the protracted conflict he has tracked for decades as a US senator and then vice president. Also read | Gal Gadot expresses concern over Israel-Palestine conflict: My country is at war, worry for my family and friends Biden shifted US policy sharply in taking over from Republican Donald Trump, waiting weeks to talk to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time and re-emphasizing the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a major bombardment of the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land as Netanyahu vows to extract a ‘heavy price’ from Hamas. According to a report by The Times of Israel, over 1,050 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the outbreak of fighting on Monday evening, with 200 failing to clear the border and landing inside the enclave. IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman says the Iron Dome air defence system had an interception rate between 85 and 90 per cent of rockets heading toward populated areas. (With inputs from agencies)

Airstrikes on Gaza not an 'overreaction', Israel has a right to defend: Biden

Israel&nbsp;bombarded Gaza with artillery and airstrikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave but stopped short of a ground offensive in the conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives.

As the violence intensified,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;said it was carrying out an attack "in the Gaza Strip" although it later clarified there were no boots on the ground.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-violence-escalates-between-israel-gaza-384636/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Israeli security forces have also been scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, and projectiles have been fired on&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;from Lebanon.

The United Nations said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the conflict, while the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of&nbsp;Israel".

"We believe that Israelis and Palestinians deserve equal measures of freedom, security, dignity and prosperity," Blinken said.

The Israeli army clarified early Friday that its troops had not entered the Gaza Strip as it had earlier stated, blaming an "internal communication" problem for the confusion.&nbsp;

The sound of artillery fire and explosions echoed across northern and eastern parts of Gaza into early Friday morning. Witnesses said many families living in areas near the border quit their homes, some seeking shelter at United Nations-run schools.

Violence also spread to mixed communities of Jews and Arabs in&nbsp;Israel, a new front in the long conflict. Synagogues were attacked and fighting broke out on the streets of some towns, prompting&nbsp;Israel's president to warn of civil war.

At least 109 people were killed in Gaza, including 29 children, over the previous four days, Palestinian medical officials said. On Thursday alone, 52 Palestinians were killed in the enclave, the highest single-day figure since Monday.

Seven people were killed in&nbsp;Israel: a soldier patrolling the Gaza border, five&nbsp;Israeli civilians, including two children, and an Indian worker,&nbsp;Israeli authorities said.

Israel&nbsp;launched its offensive after Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in retaliation for&nbsp;Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman, the&nbsp;Israeli military's chief spokesman, said attacks on militants' rocket production and launching sites were "disrupting Hamas' activities", but still not to the point of stopping the barrages.

He said between 80 and 90 militants had been killed in&nbsp;Israeli attacks.

Zilberman said&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;was "building up forces on the Gaza border", a deployment that raised speculation about a possible ground invasion, a move that would recall similar incursions during&nbsp;Israel-Gaza wars in 2014 and in 2009.

Israeli military affairs correspondents, have said however that a major ground incursion is unlikely, citing high casualties among the risks.

Hamas armed wing spokesman Abu Ubaida responded to the troop buildup with defiance, urging Palestinians to rise up.

"Mass up as you wish, from the sea, land and sky. We have prepared for your kinds of deaths that would make you curse yourselves," he said.

So far some 1,750 rockets have been fired at&nbsp;Israel, of which 300 fell short in the Gaza Strip, the&nbsp;Israeli military said.

The hostilities have fuelled tension between&nbsp;Israeli Jews and the country's 21 per cent&nbsp;Arab minority who live alongside them in some communities. Jewish and Arab groups attacked people and damaged shops, hotels and cars overnight.

Although the unrest in Jerusalem was the trigger for hostilities, Palestinians are frustrated by setbacks to their aspirations for an independent state in recent years, including Washington's recognition of disputed Jerusalem as&nbsp;Israel's capital.

On the&nbsp;Israeli political front, Netanyahu's chances to remain in power after an inconclusive March 23 election appeared to improve significantly after his main rival, centrist Yair Lapid, suffered a major setback in efforts to form a government.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and airstrikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave but stopped short of a ground offensive in the conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives.

Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and airstrikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave but stopped short of a ground offensive in the conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives. As the violence intensified, Israel said it was carrying out an attack "in the Gaza Strip" although it later clarified there were no boots on the ground. Israeli security forces have also been scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, and projectiles have been fired on Israel from Lebanon. The United Nations said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the conflict, while the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of Israel". "We believe that Israelis and Palestinians deserve equal measures of freedom, security, dignity and prosperity," Blinken said. The Israeli army clarified early Friday that its troops had not entered the Gaza Strip as it had earlier stated, blaming an "internal communication" problem for the confusion. The sound of artillery fire and explosions echoed across northern and eastern parts of Gaza into early Friday morning. Witnesses said many families living in areas near the border quit their homes, some seeking shelter at United Nations-run schools. Violence also spread to mixed communities of Jews and Arabs in Israel, a new front in the long conflict. Synagogues were attacked and fighting broke out on the streets of some towns, prompting Israel's president to warn of civil war. At least 109 people were killed in Gaza, including 29 children, over the previous four days, Palestinian medical officials said. On Thursday alone, 52 Palestinians were killed in the enclave, the highest single-day figure since Monday. Seven people were killed in Israel: a soldier patrolling the Gaza border, five Israeli civilians, including two children, and an Indian worker, Israeli authorities said. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman, the Israeli military's chief spokesman, said attacks on militants' rocket production and launching sites were "disrupting Hamas' activities", but still not to the point of stopping the barrages. He said between 80 and 90 militants had been killed in Israeli attacks. Zilberman said Israel was "building up forces on the Gaza border", a deployment that raised speculation about a possible ground invasion, a move that would recall similar incursions during Israel-Gaza wars in 2014 and in 2009. Israeli military affairs correspondents, have said however that a major ground incursion is unlikely, citing high casualties among the risks. Hamas armed wing spokesman Abu Ubaida responded to the troop buildup with defiance, urging Palestinians to rise up. "Mass up as you wish, from the sea, land and sky. We have prepared for your kinds of deaths that would make you curse yourselves," he said. So far some 1,750 rockets have been fired at Israel, of which 300 fell short in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said. The hostilities have fuelled tension between Israeli Jews and the country's 21 per cent Arab minority who live alongside them in some communities. Jewish and Arab groups attacked people and damaged shops, hotels and cars overnight. Although the unrest in Jerusalem was the trigger for hostilities, Palestinians are frustrated by setbacks to their aspirations for an independent state in recent years, including Washington's recognition of disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital. On the Israeli political front, Netanyahu's chances to remain in power after an inconclusive March 23 election appeared to improve significantly after his main rival, centrist Yair Lapid, suffered a major setback in efforts to form a government. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza conflict intensifies with rocket barrages and air strikes

Israel PM Netanyahu on Thursday said his government is massing troops along the Gaza frontier ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory, as the two bitter enemies plunged closer to all-out war.&nbsp;

"Citizens of Israel, we are dealing with a campaign on two fronts. The first front – Gaza. I said that we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations. We are doing so and we will continue to do so with great force. The last word has not been saying and this operation will continue as long as necessary to restore the quiet and security to the State of Israel," said Netanyahu.

"The second front – Israel's cities. I repeat what I said earlier today: We give 100% backing to the police, to the soldiers of the Border Police and to other security forces to restore law and order to Israel's cities. We will not tolerate anarchy," he added.

"We back the police in using all means with full powers, including in conjunction with the IDF and the ISA. We have given powers for an emergency here. These measures are important, legitimate and necessary to heartlessness in the State of Israel."

"I again call on the citizens of Israel not to take the law into their own hands; whoever does so will be punished severely. I would like to participate in the sorrow of the families that have lost their dear ones – the families of five-year-old Ido Avigal and soldier Omer Tabib and five other families of five citizens who unfortunately lost their lives. We will act with full force against enemies from outside and law-breakers from inside to rest too the State of Israel."

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has launched a major bombardment of the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land as Netanyahu vowed to extract a ‘heavy price’ from Hamas.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, over 1,050 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the outbreak of fighting on Monday evening, with 200 failing to clear the border and landing inside the enclave.

IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman says the Iron Dome air defence system had an interception rate between 85 and 90 per cent of rockets heading toward populated areas.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel PM Netanyahu on Thursday said his government is massing troops along the Gaza frontier ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory, as the two bitter enemies plunged closer to all-out war.

Israel PM Netanyahu on Thursday said his government is massing troops along the Gaza frontier ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory, as the two bitter enemies plunged closer to all-out war. "Citizens of Israel, we are dealing with a campaign on two fronts. The first front – Gaza. I said that we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations. We are doing so and we will continue to do so with great force. The last word has not been saying and this operation will continue as long as necessary to restore the quiet and security to the State of Israel," said Netanyahu. "The second front – Israel's cities. I repeat what I said earlier today: We give 100% backing to the police, to the soldiers of the Border Police and to other security forces to restore law and order to Israel's cities. We will not tolerate anarchy," he added. "We back the police in using all means with full powers, including in conjunction with the IDF and the ISA. We have given powers for an emergency here. These measures are important, legitimate and necessary to heartlessness in the State of Israel." "I again call on the citizens of Israel not to take the law into their own hands; whoever does so will be punished severely. I would like to participate in the sorrow of the families that have lost their dear ones – the families of five-year-old Ido Avigal and soldier Omer Tabib and five other families of five citizens who unfortunately lost their lives. We will act with full force against enemies from outside and law-breakers from inside to rest too the State of Israel." The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has launched a major bombardment of the Gaza Strip from air, sea and land as Netanyahu vowed to extract a ‘heavy price’ from Hamas. According to a report by The Times of Israel, over 1,050 rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the outbreak of fighting on Monday evening, with 200 failing to clear the border and landing inside the enclave. IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman says the Iron Dome air defence system had an interception rate between 85 and 90 per cent of rockets heading toward populated areas. (With inputs from agencies)

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The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days.

The strikes hit what the military described as "terror targets" operated by Gaza's Islamist ruling party Hamas. They included a "training facility, an anti-aircraft missile launcher post, a concrete production plant &amp; terror tunnel infrastructure".

Witnesses and security sources said the strikes hit two militant "training sites" in southern Gaza and another target in central Gaza.A Hamas spokesman said that despite the Israeli action, "Gaza still fights and doesn't break."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/nighttime-clashes-in-east-jerusalem-flare-palestine-israel-tensions-379636">Nighttime clashes in East Jerusalem flare Palestine-Israel tensions</a>

The strikes came hours after militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into southern Israel.&nbsp;An Israeli army spokesperson said the rocket hit open ground and caused no casualties or damage.

It was the second such exchange in recent days. Late Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a rocket at southern Israel, prompting the army to launch retaliatory air strikes on Gaza that caused no casualties.

Israel imposed a blockade of Gaza's sea and land borders after Hamas seized control in 2007. The two sides have since fought three wars.&nbsp;A fragile truce has endured in recent years despite occasional flareups, with Palestinians firing rockets at Israel and the Jewish state responding with airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

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The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days.

The Israeli military said Saturday it had conducted airstrikes against targets in the Gaza Strip following a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave, in the second such exchange in as many days. The strikes hit what the military described as "terror targets" operated by Gaza's Islamist ruling party Hamas. They included a "training facility, an anti-aircraft missile launcher post, a concrete production plant & terror tunnel infrastructure". Witnesses and security sources said the strikes hit two militant "training sites" in southern Gaza and another target in central Gaza.A Hamas spokesman said that despite the Israeli action, "Gaza still fights and doesn't break." Also Read | Nighttime clashes in East Jerusalem flare Palestine-Israel tensions The strikes came hours after militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket into southern Israel. An Israeli army spokesperson said the rocket hit open ground and caused no casualties or damage. It was the second such exchange in recent days. Late Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a rocket at southern Israel, prompting the army to launch retaliatory air strikes on Gaza that caused no casualties. Israel imposed a blockade of Gaza's sea and land borders after Hamas seized control in 2007. The two sides have since fought three wars. A fragile truce has endured in recent years despite occasional flareups, with Palestinians firing rockets at Israel and the Jewish state responding with airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

Israel strikes Gaza after rocket attack

Israeli tanks pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Monday in what has become a daily response to Palestinian rockets and airborne firebombs launched into southern Israel and to clashes on the border.

"Tanks targeted a number of military observation posts belonging to the Hamas terror organisation in the Gaza Strip," an army statement said in English, referring to the Islamist group that rules the enclave.

The army said that in addition to cross-border attacks with explosives and incendiary devices suspended from balloons, dozens of people had also "instigated riots along the Gaza Strip security fence" on Sunday evening.&nbsp;

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the tank fire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-israeli-strikes-on-gaza-over-balloon-bombs-rockets-320895">Also read:Fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza over balloon bombs, rockets</a>

The latest incidents follow a week of heightened tensions, including border clashes, during which Israel has also closed its Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip and Sunday shut down Gaza's permitted coastal fishing zone.

Israeli fire services in the border areas reported 28 outdoor fires on Sunday, and farmers said that extensive damage was caused to an avocado orchard.&nbsp;

A fires services statement on Sunday evening said that since August 6 its investigators had identified 149 fires in southern Israel caused by incendiary balloons from Gaza.&nbsp;

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On Saturday evening Palestinian "rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it," an Israeli army statement said.&nbsp;

That was followed on Sunday by Israeli air strikes on Hamas, including what a military statement called "a military compound used to store rocket ammunition".&nbsp;

Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.

The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Palestinian anger has flared since Israel and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday agreed to normalise relations, a move many Palestinians saw as a betrayal of their cause by the Gulf country.

Israeli tanks pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Monday in what has become a daily response to Palestinian rockets and airborne firebombs launched into southern Israel and to clashes on the border.

Israeli tanks pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Monday in what has become a daily response to Palestinian rockets and airborne firebombs launched into southern Israel and to clashes on the border. "Tanks targeted a number of military observation posts belonging to the Hamas terror organisation in the Gaza Strip," an army statement said in English, referring to the Islamist group that rules the enclave. The army said that in addition to cross-border attacks with explosives and incendiary devices suspended from balloons, dozens of people had also "instigated riots along the Gaza Strip security fence" on Sunday evening. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the tank fire. Also read:Fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza over balloon bombs, rockets The latest incidents follow a week of heightened tensions, including border clashes, during which Israel has also closed its Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip and Sunday shut down Gaza's permitted coastal fishing zone. Israeli fire services in the border areas reported 28 outdoor fires on Sunday, and farmers said that extensive damage was caused to an avocado orchard. A fires services statement on Sunday evening said that since August 6 its investigators had identified 149 fires in southern Israel caused by incendiary balloons from Gaza. × On Saturday evening Palestinian "rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it," an Israeli army statement said. That was followed on Sunday by Israeli air strikes on Hamas, including what a military statement called "a military compound used to store rocket ammunition". Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons. The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank. Palestinian anger has flared since Israel and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday agreed to normalise relations, a move many Palestinians saw as a betrayal of their cause by the Gulf country.

Israeli tanks hit Gaza over 'riots' and balloon bombs

The Israeli army said Sunday it carried out fresh air strikes against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks and firebombs sent into Israeli territory attached to balloons.

The strikes come after clashes broke out Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said.

Dozens of Palestinian "rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-militant-sites-after-incendiary-balloons-320132">Also read:&nbsp;Israel strikes Gaza militant sites after incendiary balloons</a>

Over the past week Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time strikes on targets linked to the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The army says they are in response to the use of makeshift firebombs, attached to balloons and kites, which have been sent into parts of southern Israel, causing thousands of fires in Israeli farms and communities.

There were 19 such Palestinian attacks on Saturday alone, according to Israeli rescue services.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hails-uae-deal-but-palestinians-and-settlers-dismayed-320395">Also read:&nbsp;Israel hails UAE deal but Palestinians, and settlers, dismayed</a>

In response "IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip," the army said in its statement, adding that among the targets hit were "a military compound and underground infrastructure" belonging to Hamas.

Early Sunday the IDF also said that two rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system.

"In response, our Air Force just struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a military compound used to store rocket ammunition," it said.

Israel has closed its Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip and reduced the territory's permitted Mediterranean coastal fishing zone in response to the recent balloon launches.

Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons.

The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Hamas "is responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it, and will bear the consequences for terror activity against Israeli civilians," the IDF said in its statement Saturday.

The Israeli army said Sunday it carried out fresh air strikes against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks and firebombs sent into Israeli territory attached to balloons.

The Israeli army said Sunday it carried out fresh air strikes against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks and firebombs sent into Israeli territory attached to balloons. The strikes come after clashes broke out Saturday evening along the Gaza-Israeli border, the army said. Dozens of Palestinian "rioters burned tyres, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. Also read: Israel strikes Gaza militant sites after incendiary balloons Over the past week Israeli forces have carried out repeated night-time strikes on targets linked to the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The army says they are in response to the use of makeshift firebombs, attached to balloons and kites, which have been sent into parts of southern Israel, causing thousands of fires in Israeli farms and communities. There were 19 such Palestinian attacks on Saturday alone, according to Israeli rescue services. Also read: Israel hails UAE deal but Palestinians, and settlers, dismayed In response "IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck a number of Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip," the army said in its statement, adding that among the targets hit were "a military compound and underground infrastructure" belonging to Hamas. Early Sunday the IDF also said that two rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza and intercepted by its Iron Dome defence system. "In response, our Air Force just struck Hamas terror targets in Gaza, including a military compound used to store rocket ammunition," it said. Israel has closed its Kerem Shalom goods crossing with the Gaza Strip and reduced the territory's permitted Mediterranean coastal fishing zone in response to the recent balloon launches. Despite a truce last year backed by the UN, Egypt and Qatar, the two sides clash sporadically with rockets, mortar fire or incendiary balloons. The Gaza Strip has a population of two million, more than half of whom live in poverty, according to the World Bank. Hamas "is responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it, and will bear the consequences for terror activity against Israeli civilians," the IDF said in its statement Saturday.

Fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza over balloon bombs, rockets

Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on suspected Islamic Jihad positions in Syria, the Israeli military said on Monday, after the militant group and Israel exchanged rockets and airstrikes around Gaza.

Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on suspected Islamic Jihad positions in Syria, the Israeli military said on Monday, after the militant group and Israel exchanged rockets and airstrikes around Gaza. An Israeli military statement said its forces had "struck Islamic Jihad terror targets south of Damascus" in addition to "dozens" of Islamic Jihad targets throughout the Gaza Strip. The airstrike in the Adeliyah region outside Damascus targeted what the Israeli military called "a hub of Islamic Jihad's activity in Syria," including the research and development of weapons. [ Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza after border fire The Israeli announcement came shortly after Syrian state media said its air defences had intercepted "hostile targets" over the Syrian capital, Damascus. The strike escalated the latest round of hostilities, which began around dawn on Sunday, when, Israel said, its troops killed an Islamic Jihad member who was trying to plant explosives near Israel's border fence with the Gaza Strip. Watch: Benjamin Netanyahu rushed offstage as rocket fired from Gaza into Israel Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel, setting off air-raid sirens in communities such as Ashkelon. Israel hit back with a series of airstrikes in Gaza. The rockets sent residents of southern Israel running for shelters. Some of the rocket fire was intercepted by Israeli aerial missile defences, and there were no reports of any Israelis injured. The Israeli military said that among the "dozens" of targets struck in Gaza were underground infrastructure and compounds in Rafah that had been used to store raw material used for manufacturing rockets. Also Read: Israel strikes Hamas targets after new Gaza rocket fire [ Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Shortly before midnight on Sunday, the Syrian state news agency SANA quoted a military source saying that Israeli planes had entered Syrian airspace and targeted areas around Damascus with a wave of guided missiles. Syrian state-run al-Ikhbariya TV aired footage of what it said were explosions set off in the Damascus night sky by the air defence system shooting down missiles. The Syrian military source said most missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets and that the aftermath of the strike was being examined. Israel says it has carried out hundreds of strikes against targets in Syria in recent years. In November, Islamic Jihad said Israel had targeted the house of one of its officials in Damascus, killing one of his sons.

Israeli strike in Damascus killed 2 Islamic Jihad members: Group

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