Israel hits Islamic Jihad targets in Syria and Gaza
Overnight air raids on the southern suburbs of Damascus. Yesterday, the attacks focused on "dozens" of targets in the Strip, where at least four injured were registered. The new hotbed of tension triggered by the killing of a member of the group along the border.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Israeli army launched a series of air raids overnight against targets of the Palestinian extremist Islamic Jihad group in Syria and Gaza, in response to a previous rocket launch from the Strip. Some group posts in the southern outskirts of Damascus were targeted; yesterday the attacks focused on "dozens" of targets scattered across Gaza.
In the morning, the Israeli military leaders confirmed the operation, specifying that they had hit "an operational hub of Islamic Jihad"; last November a special army operation led to the killing of one of the leaders of the group.
Syrian authorities report that the air defense system intercepted and shot down most of the Israeli missiles. At least four wounded were reported in Gaza, but no deaths.
Israel attacked in response to the launch of at least 20 rockets from the Strip yesterday morning. Also in this case there is no damage to buildings or people. The killing of an Islamic Jihad member along the border between Israel and Gaza triggered the new wave of clashes yesterday. According to the military, the man was trying to place an explosive device.
A video, relaunched and shared on social media, shows an Israeli bulldozer extracting the man's body, causing the wrath of the Palestinians. The demand for revenge was followed, a few hours later, by the launch of rockets - claimed by Islamic Jihad - from the Gaza Strip, which put the defensive system across the border on alert.
Islamic Jihad, supported by Iran, is one of the most powerful militia groups in the Gaza Strip. A Hamas ally, the extremist movement has fought a series of wars against Israel in recent years. The latest clashes are part of a context of growing tension in the area, which has escalated following the publication of the so-called "deal of the century", the Middle East peace plan welcomed by Israel and rejected by the Palestinians.
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22/03/2019 14:27
