Militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired at least two rockets into the greater Tel Aviv area, according to the Israeli army. In the city and its suburbs, there were audible sirens and explosions in the evening.
The Israeli army said that contrary to media reports, none of the missiles had been intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. But there were neither injuries nor property damage. There are no special instructions for civilians. Most recently, in the summer of 2014, similar attacks on the Greater Tel Aviv area occurred in the Gaza war.
According to other media reports, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Chuldai has ordered the opening of public shelters in the city. Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly wanted to hold an emergency meeting at military headquarters in Tel Aviv in light of the new attacks.
The conflict between Israel and the militant Palestinian organizations has been heating up for a year now. According to information from the Ministry of Health in Gaza, more than 260 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured since March 30, after protests at the Gaza border have been violent.
Truce is increasingly fragile
Since the beginning of the month Palestinians have fired rockets on the Israeli border area on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip several times. Israel’s air force then bombarded targets in the coastal strip on the Mediterranean. A cease-fire negotiated by Egypt at the end of last year between Israel and Gaza-ruling Hamas has become increasingly fragile.
On April 9, a new parliament will be elected in Israel and leading candidates have called for a tougher stance towards militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is classified by Israel, the US and the EU as a terrorist organization. More than ten years ago, Israel imposed a blockade on the coastal area, which is supported by Egypt. Both countries justify this with security interests. In Gaza, around two million people live in difficult conditions. There is a lack of drinking water and electricity, among other things.
