Voice of America
05 Aug 2022, 23:36 GMT+10
GAZA - Israeli forces bombed targets they said were linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza on Friday, killing a commander and prompting vows of retaliation from the militant group, which said it could hit Tel Aviv in response.
Local health officials said at least seven people, including a five-year old child, had been killed and 40 wounded in the strikes, which came after days of escalating tensions following the arrest of a Palestinian militant leader during the week.
'The IDF is currently striking in the Gaza Strip. A special situation has been declared on the Israeli home front,' the military said in a statement.
A Palestinian Islamic Jihad official said Tayseer al-Jaabari, a senior commander in the movement, had been killed in the strikes, which hit several targets around the densely populated strip.
The strikes came after Israel arrested Bassam al-Saadi, a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, during a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin earlier this week.
It subsequently closed off all Gaza crossings and some nearby roads over fears of retaliatory attacks from the group, which has a stronghold in Gaza.
In a statement broadcast on Al Mayadeen television, a pro-Iranian Lebanese channel, Islamic Jihad leader Ziad Al-Nakhala vowed retaliation for the strikes.
'There are no red lines in this battle and Tel Aviv will fall under the rockets of resistance, as well as all Israeli cities,' he said.
Gaza, a narrow strip of land where some 2.3 million people live on a patch of 365 square kilometers (140 square miles), has been a constant point of conflict ever since Hamas took control of the area in 2007.
Israel has fought five conflicts with Gaza since 2009, the most recent an 11-day war in May 2021, when Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel and Israel pounded the strip with airstrikes.
Get a daily dose of Greek Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.
More InformationAMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed cautious optimism that the European Union and the United States can strike...
OTTAWA, Canada: With Canada Post struggling to maintain operations amid labour unrest, rivals like FedEx and UPS are stepping in to...
PARIS, France: French military and intelligence officials have accused China of orchestrating a covert campaign to damage the reputation...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
PARIS, France: A strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions caused significant disruptions during...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump is drawing praise from his core supporters after halting key arms shipments to Ukraine, a...
Washington [US], July 11 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that a hostage release deal with Hamas...
Only through mutual understanding can we eliminate barriers and foster the continued development of all civilizations. I believe this...
Washington DC [US], July 11 (ANI): Anime fans are in for a treat as one of the popular anime 'Sakamoto Days' is returning with its...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): The India 'A' Men's Hockey Team is off to a flying start, registering back-to-back wins -- 6-1 and...