The tension in the Middle East region significantly escalated this week when hundreds of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel in response to Israeli attacks that have caused over 20 deaths in Palestinian territory since Tuesday. Armed groups in Gaza claimed in a joint statement to have launched “hundreds of rockets” towards Israel, promising the “enemy” “dark days” in case of escalation. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported seven deaths on Wednesday in Israeli attacks, including a 10-year-old girl; 15 people, including four children, died the day before.
The Gaza Strip, a narrow and impoverished Palestinian territory, has 2.3 million inhabitants and has been governed by the Islamist movement Hamas since 2007. In addition, it has been under blockade by Israel and has been the scene of several wars with Israel since 2008. Gaza businesses were closed, and residents were bracing for the worst. In Israeli towns near the enclave, residents sought refuge in shelters, and schools were closed in a 40-kilometer zone around the territory.
The conflict has provoked an international response, with the Arab League strongly condemning “Israeli widespread crimes.” The United States has urged all parties to de-escalate, while UN envoy Tor Wennesland called the killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip “unacceptable.” Since the beginning of the year, 132 Palestinians and 19 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian have died in the conflict, according to an AFP tally based on official sources from both sides.
Friday, April 19, 2024