The Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on June 16, 2021, the first time after the declaration of a ceasefire following 11 days of War. The airstrikes came after Palestinians sent incendiary balloons into southern Israel, as per Israel's military.
Israel launched missile attacks on targets in the Gaza City area and in the city of Khan Yunis in the southwestern part of the Palestinian enclave. The Israeli army spokesperson said that earlier balloons laden with explosives were launched from the Gaza Strip in the direction of Israeli settlements near the border, sparking fires and the army intends to react.
The Israeli army reportedly attacked Hamas compounds and said that it was "ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from the Gaza Strip."
A Hamas spokesperson confirmed the airstrikes, adding that Palestinians would continue their "brave resistance and defend their rights and sacred sites" in Jerusalem. The authorities on both sides confirmed that there were no reports of casualties or injuries.
Israeli Flag MarchThe airstrikes came hours after almost hundreds of Israeli nationalists conducted a flag march in East Jerusalem, marking Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967. The march was considered as a provocation by many Palestinians and drew threats of action by Hamas, which is the ruling terrorist group in Gaza. The march, which takes place annually, was initially canceled by the organizers, but it was later rerouted as canceling it would have led to intense criticism of Bennet and other right-wing members of the coalition from those who would view it as a capitulation to Hamas. Some marchers chanted "Death to the Arabs," according to Reuters. The march brought calls for protests in Gaza and the Palestinian groups called for a "day of rage" against the march.
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Israel's attack on Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces said the airstrikes targeted Hamas armed military compounds that were used by Hamas’s Khan Yunis and Gaza Brigades for “terror activities.”
This is the first test for Israel's new government under new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett after he toppled his former ally Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year regime, ending the political crisis in the nation that had led to four elections in a span of just two years.
The comes after a ceasefire regime took effect between Israel and the Gaza Strip on May 21, 2021, concluding the 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas during which hundreds of rockets were launched from both Israel and Palestine sides, claiming hundreds of lives.
Israel, Hamas agree to a ceasefire after 11 days of War
The ceasefire regime between Israeli forces and Hamas came into effect from 2 am on May 21, 2021. after almost two weeks of violence that claimed hundreds of lives and reduced many structures to rubbles.
Former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet had voted on May 20, 2021 in favor of halting their military activity in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli security cabinet unanimously adopted Egypt's initiative for a bilateral ceasefire. The Palestinian militant group Hamas also agreed to a "mutual and simultaneous" cease-fire.
The Palestinians across the Gaza Strip were seen celebrating in the streets after the ceasefire decision came into effect on May 21st. The ceasefire came after mounting international pressure calling for an end to the violence between both sides.
VIDEO: People take to the streets of Gaza City to celebrate as a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups comes into force early Friday after 11 days of deadly fighting pic.twitter.com/thtAi3Awji
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 21, 2021
Also read: UN Chief calls for immediate ceasefire
Palestine's Response
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki welcomed the unilateral ceasefire by Israel but he said it is not enough because Jerusalem remains the key issue.
Riyad al-Maliki added saying that the ceasefire is good because more than 2 million Palestinian people will be able to go to sleep knowing that they will have a brighter tomorrow but it is not enough, as the core issue that started all these episodes is Jerusalem. He said, " we cannot forget Jerusalem."
US Statement
US President JoeBiden hailed the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. He added that the US would help Gaza with humanitarian relief aid and also replenish Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
The ceasefire came hours after the White House spokesperson Jen Psaki informed the media on May 20th that the US believes that Israel has achieved significant objectives in Gaza that they had laid out to achieve to protect its own people and respond to thousands of rocket attacks from Hamas. He added saying that, this is why the US believes Israel is in a position to start winding down its military operation.
11-day war casualtiesAccording to Gaza Health Ministry, at least 253 Palestinians were killed during the fighting including 66 children and 39 women, while around 13 people have been killed in Israel, as per Israeli authorities. The casualties in Israel included a 5-year-old boy and an Indian National, Soumya Santosh, a 32-year-old caregiver. |
Read more Israeli-Palestinian clashes here: Everything you must know!
Background
The latest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas ended inconclusively like the three previous wars. The conflict had begun on May 10, 2021 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
In response to the rocket attack, Israel launched hundreds of airstrikes into the Gaza strip, reportedly targeting Hamas’ military infrastructure.
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