Evening Updates (Liveblogging) From Israel: 16-May-2021

IDF says it is carrying out ‘widespread’ strikes across Gaza

IDF says it struck homes of nine Hamas commanders throughout Gaza

The IDF says it has targeted the homes of nine Hamas commanders throughout the Gaza Strip during its strikes over the last several hours.

“The houses attacked were used as terrorist infrastructure and in some of the houses, weapons depots were even found,” the army says. 

Among the houses attacked were the homes of the Beit Hanoun brigade commander, the Beit Haonun company commander, the Gaza City company commander and the Al-Shati brigade company commander, the IDF says.

A home in Shejaiya used by Hamas military intelligence was also targeted, the army adds.

Palestinians report more than 100 strikes on Gaza City

Reports from inside Gaza say the IDF has unleashed a fierce bombing raid on Gaza City.

A Reuters correspondent in the city reports more than 100 strikes.

The AP says explosions rocked the city from north to south for 10 minutes, adding that the airstrikes were heavier, on a wider area and lasted longer than a series of air raids 24 hours earlier in which 42 Palestinians were killed.

In a brief statement, the Israel Defense Forces says only that “IDF fighter jets are striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip.”

The IDF says warplanes are carrying out ‘widespread’ strikes across the Gaza Strip.

The army says it is targeting “terror sites,” but gives no further details.

Palestinian sources say there have been dozens of strikes and that the bombardments are particularly intense.

Rocket warning sirens sound in Ashkelon

Rocket warning sirens are sounding in the Ashkelon area.

Sirens also go off in communities surrounding Gaza and in Netivot.

It follows a barrage of rockets fired at Beersheba.

IDF says it has bombed a Hamas intelligence center

The IDF says warplanes have bombed a Hamas intelligence center.

The army says the strike was a joint operation between the air force and the IDF’s cyber defense unit.