The Israel Defense Forces retaliated overnight with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in response to the firing of over 30 rockets yesterday from the Gaza Strip toward civilian populations.
The skirmish began when Islamic Jihad launched a salvo of three rockets after it was announced that Jihad leader Khader Adnan had died in an Israeli prison. As reported yesterday, Adnan had been on a hunger strike for 86 days, refusing medical treatment and attempts to feed him. Rockets from Gaza were fired towards Ashkelon, Sderot, and other Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip; one of them exploded in the yard of a house in Ashkelon, where there were no casualties but the house and car were damaged.
In response to the dozens of rockets launched at Israel from Gaza, the IDF struck weapon manufacturing sites, military compounds and underground terrorist tunnels belonging to terrorist organizations.
ā Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 3, 2023
Terrorism anywhere is a threat to civilians everywhere. pic.twitter.com/2yto4VDtir
But despite the overnight operations, at around 04:00 AM Wednesday it was reported by Al Jazeera that a ceasefire had been reached between Israel and the factions within Gaza after mediation between the parties. About an hour and a half later, a siren was sounded again, but shortly after that the IDF announced a return back into "normal routine" with school and work in the surrounding area taking place today as usual. In total, it is believed 106 rockets were fired toward Israel, although many failed and so the actual total of launches could likely be higher.
Contradicting the Al Jazeera report, senior officials in Israel said Wednesday morning that despite the ceasefire, "it is too early to assess whether this round is behind us." According to them, "As far as Israel is concerned, there is no ceasefire. The understanding is that Hamas forced the Islamic Jihad to stop rocket fire. We did not come to talk tonight, it is too early for that." In response to a question about Adnan's body whose death sparked the latest round of terror, Israel says that there is no obligation whatsoever to return his body; but on the other hand, he does not meet the criteria needed to justify his possession. In certain circumstances, Israel will refuse to return the body of a dead terrorist.
Israeli airstrike in Gaza a short while ago in response to rocket fire by Palestinian militants. pic.twitter.com/HzneSVXfE6
ā Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 2, 2023
The IDF, which began the response in Gaza at noon Tuesday with tank fire after the first three rockets were fired into Israel, moved to respond with the Airforce shortly after 11:00 PM. At around 02:00 AM, the IDF announced that it was once again attacking the Gaza Strip.
"IDF warplanes attacked in the Gaza Strip a compound that was used as a Hamas training camp and a military outpost of the organization, which contained a weapons warehouse, a site for the production of weapons, and a training complex for the organization," the IDF spokesperson said at 01:05 AM after the first attack. "At the same time, two ammunition production sites used by Hamas' production headquarters, and a concrete factory used to build the organization's infrastructure, were attacked.ā
The damage is real.
ā Jay Engelmayer (@jengelmayer) May 3, 2023
The danger is real.
Rockets hidden under hospitals and schools, launched from apartment buildings all funded by @UNRWA.
And @FranceskAlbs believes this is legitimate and the @UN_HRC ignores these facts to focus on bogus ones. pic.twitter.com/SKCMoLkyGq
Despite Islamic Jihad openly taking credit for the missile salvo, Israel holds the ruling Hamas organization responsible for everything that happens within the borders of the enclave. Hamas has the power to stop the missiles from other groups, however often they will turn a blind eye to let the groups 'blow off steam'. Some analysts have speculated that this is due to the fact Hamas is scared of a popular uprising that would threaten their hold on power in the Strip.
