Hamas rockets and Israeli raids: 22 Palestinians killed and 700 wounded
250 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The army responds with airstrikes on strategic Hamas targets. The inertia of the international community. From the first protests over the ban on prayer during Ramadan to the Sheikh Jarrah controversy, many issues remain unresolved.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Dozens of victims, hundreds of injured and an escalation of violence destined to continue despite the (timid) appeals for calm launched by the international community. Throughout the night and until the first light of dawn, fighting continued between Israel and the extremist Islamic movement of Hamas in Gaza. Military sources report that at least 250 rockets have been launched from the Strip into Israeli territory, most of which have been intercepted by the "Iron Dome" defense system. However, a small part also touched the outskirts of Jerusalem, sounding alarms and hastily evacuating Parliament.
The attacks continued this morning as well, with rocket launches in the direction of Ashkelon in southern Israel. The air force response was extremely tough with targeted operations which, according to military sources, hit at least 130 Hamas targets in Gaza. These include the home of a prominent leader of the movement, the intelligence headquarters, two tunnels and rocket storage and depot sites.
Meanwhile, clashes continued between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli police in Jerusalem, triggered by the growing repression of the police who prevented the faithful from reaching the Al Aqsa for Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer.
Added to this is the controversy relating to the ownership of some buildings in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, disputed between Palestinians and Jewish settlers and ended up in courtrooms, becoming a pretext for further clashes. Israeli intellectuals and activists also point out that the eviction, justified as restitution because in the past the owners were Jews, represents a case of "ethnic cleansing" and according to this principle many other homes and goods should be returned to the Palestinians.
Health sources in Gaza report that at least 22 people have died in Israeli raids, including several children. Senior Israeli officials speak of 15 Hamas members among the victims. The extremist group is threatening new attacks as part of the "Jerusalem Sword" operation. The Israeli army responded to the Palestinian attacks with the "Guardian of the Walls" operation, which is set to continue in the coming days. The Palestinian Red Crescent speaks of over 700 injured in the clashes between the parties in Jerusalem and the West Bank, some of them in serious condition.
It is the most serious violence in Jerusalem in recent years. Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of "crossing the red line" to which the military will respond "with great force". The international community observes with concern and launches (timid and so far in vain) appeals for calm. An urgent meeting of the UN Security Council was held yesterday, which however did not produce a joint declaration at the end of the meeting.
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12/05/2021 09:30
