Violence Continues in Gaza Strip As Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan Ends
What Happened:
Violence continues to escalate in the Gaza Strip region as Hamas militants and Israeli forces exchanged multiple rocket attacks and airstrikes overnight.
Normally a time for celebration, Thursday marked the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. Instead the region is seeing the worst violence since the 2014 war.
The death toll for both countries has climbed over the last few days with 83 Palestinians dead, including 17 children, and 7 Israelis dead, including 1 child who died in a rocket attack. Hundreds have also been wounded in the attacks, mostly Palestinians.
According to the Israeli military, Hamas has fired more than 1,600 rocket attacks since Monday with over 90% being intercepted by Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system. Israel has retaliated with over 600 airstrike targets, including three high rise buildings they say housed Hamas intelligence offices. Israel warned civilians to evacuate the buildings before destroying them.
The United Nations and Egyptian officials say cease-fire negotiations are underway but that little progress has been made.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu‘s security cabinet authorized a widening of the offensive.
The violence began a month ago when Israeli police forces were criticized for using heavy-handed tactics and dozens of Palestinian families were threatened with eviction. This resulted in multiple protests and clashes including a major confrontation Monday between Israeli police and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque, one of Jerusalem’s holiest sites.
Developing Story
Photo Source: youtube.com
#newspura #justfactsnoopinions #jerusalem #palestine #israel #conflict #ramadan #templemount #noblesanctuary #protest #muslim #jew #violence #news #internationalnews #breakingnews #breaking #gazastrip #hamas #rockets #airstrikes #irondome