Militant Palestinians fired a rocket at Israel from the Gaza Strip today. Israel’s air force then responded with the shelling of several targets in the ruled by the radical Islamic Hamas coastal strip. There were initially no reports of possible victims.
The missile attack from the Gaza Strip was intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system. Israeli attack helicopters attacked two Hamas bases in the Gaza Strip yesterday.
Previously, a flying object had been sent from the Palestinian Territory to the Israeli side. According to the army, militant Palestinians had tied an explosive device to several balloons.
Dangerous escalation in autumn
In November, the conflict between Israel and militant Palestinian organizations in the blocked coastal strip was dangerously escalating. Nearly 500 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel. One man was killed in Israel and seven Israeli counter-attacks killed seven Palestinians. A truce brokered by Egypt had since largely held.
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.
