Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip have left 12 people dead and at least 20 injured. The attacks, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, targeted residential apartments in different parts of Gaza. The Israeli military claims that the raids were aimed at members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, including three commanders who were allegedly responsible for recent rocket attacks against Israel.
According to Al Jazeera’s Youmna El Sayed, who was reporting from Gaza, three of the deceased were Islamic Jihad commanders, while the other nine were civilians. Most of them were family members of the commanders, and others were civilians who happened to be near the targeted apartments. All 20 injured people were also civilians.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement announced that three of its leaders were among those killed in the air attacks. The group identified them as Jihad al-Ghannam, Khalil al-Bahtini, and Tariq Izz al-Deen. The statement did not provide any details about their wives or children who were also reportedly killed.
Witnesses reported that explosions hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a house in the southern city of Rafah. Israel’s military said that the air attacks were part of “Operation Shield and Arrow” and were aimed at members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad who had launched rockets into Israel.
Last week, Israel launched a similar air attack on Gaza following rocket attacks that were reportedly launched in response to the death of Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan in an Israeli prison. The Israeli bombardment caused damage to several areas in Gaza and left at least one person dead and several others wounded.
After Qatari, Egyptian and United Nations officials intervened to broker a ceasefire agreement, calm was restored. However, in anticipation of possible retaliation from Palestinian factions, Israel’s military has advised residents of communities within 40 km of Gaza to stay close to designated bomb shelters. Two crossings with Gaza have also been closed for entry and exit of people and goods until further notice.
