As the US and the world community celebrate and hold high hopes for a more stable Middle East following the United Arab Emirates deal, tensions in the Gaza Strip are once again rising.
Following a rocket launch from the Hamas, the Israeli army retaliated via force.
In an official statement that they released, the Israeli Defense Force said that around 10 military targets were targeted in the retaliatory attack. They emphasized that they aimed fire on dangerous facilities such as a factory that manufactured weapons.
The reason for underlining the attack targets is to evade criticism that the Israelis are using excessive force. In an equally defensive statement, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Hamas wants to disturb peace – something that Israel will not tolerate.
Netanyahu continued by saying Israel will continue to reciprocate the actions of the others. According to the PM, Israel will respond to peace with peace and force by force. Considering the previous actions of the Israeli army, the words do not seem to be in vain.
Whether these attacks caused any human casualties – both armed and civilian – is currently unknown. Considering the extremely dangerous environment in the Gaza strip, along with the strongest closed borders, information takes time before leaking out of Gaza.
Reuters did report a statement from the Islamic forces in Gaza who said they retaliated to the airstrikes by firing missiles towards Israel. The exact organization that carried out the operation has not been confirmed of yet, but it was likely the Hamas or its affiliated organization.
In these retaliatory attacks, at least 2 Israeli citizens were said to have sustained injuries, although none are in critical condition. According to the Israeli press, the Israeli anti-missile defense system was able to destroy 8 missiles before they made an impact.
Contrary to the rosy news that dominated the Western news media, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the squares of the Gaza strip and opposed the deal that the US mediated between two Middle Eastern countries.
The sentiment was also paralleled by the political leaders in the region, including the leader of the Hamas who are considered de facto military leaders of the area.
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Replaced!