On Friday, Palestinian insurgents in the occupied West Bank fired rockets at Israeli settlements, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.
An escalation of violence in the region has resulted in the loss of lives, with at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza and one person in Israel reported dead. It is noteworthy that Jerusalem had not been previously targeted by rocket attacks during the ongoing hostilities, which commenced earlier this week.
Islamic Jihad Connects Rocket Fire to Jerusalem
The al Quds Brigades of Islamic Jihad conveyed a message through a statement following the rocket fire, stating that the launch toward Jerusalem serves a purpose. They emphasized that Jerusalem’s situation is closely intertwined with Gaza and should not be viewed as a separate issue.
Explosions were heard in Jerusalem amidst continuous cross-border fire, leading to significant casualties, particularly in the strip.
Efforts to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Jihad in Gaza are currently halted, as per a diplomatic source knowledgeable about the negotiations. The source, speaking under the condition of anonymity regarding closed-door diplomatic discussions, confirmed the status of the talks.
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Blockade Worsen Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that IDF fighter jets targeted four military posts belonging to Islamic Jihad. Additionally, an IDF aircraft struck a mortar shell launcher in the southern Gaza Strip. Sirens warning of incoming rocket fire in areas surrounding Gaza sounded repeatedly in Israel throughout the day on Friday.
Authorities in Gaza have provided details on the extensive damage caused by Israeli airstrikes and the imposed border closures in the isolated enclave. The destruction extends beyond the loss of lives and injuries.
Consequently, 90 families have lost their homes. Furthermore, it was cautioned that Gaza’s electricity plant would be forced to cease operations within 72 hours due to the inability to import fuel. One of the power station’s three turbines has already been shut down.
As a result of the conflict, fishing activities have been halted for four days, leaving 3,500 fishermen unemployed. Moreover, over 600 tons of agricultural products are stranded in Gaza, unable to be exported.
It is important to note that Gaza, with its population of nearly 2 million people, is one of the most densely populated areas globally, occupying a small coastal enclave of 140 square miles.
Hamas governs the territory, which is largely isolated from the rest of the world due to an Israeli blockade on Gaza’s land, air, and sea routes since 2007.
Additionally, Egypt controls the southern border crossing of Rafah. Israel maintains strict restrictions on civilian movement and tightly regulates the importation of essential goods into the narrow coastal strip.
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