A senior diplomatic source asserts the current fighting between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad shows “the weakness” of Hamas, in an apparent effort to prod Gaza’s rulers to rein in the Iran-backed terror group.
The source says Hamas has long prevented other factions from “dictating policies” in Gaza, but that PIJ “has taken control of the agenda” there.
“More than anything, this shows the weakness of Hamas, which is being dragged by PIJ into an unnecessary round [of fighting],” the source says. “If Hamas doesn’t set a red line for PIJ and force it to stop the [rocket fire], this will be evidence of a changing balance of power in the Strip.”
Defense sources: 2 seriously hurt by rocket are Gazan shepherds, 3rd man a Bedouin Israeli
The two seriously wounded shepherds in the rocket attack near Shokeda are Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, while the third, who is moderately hurt, is a Bedouin Israeli, defense sources say.
Warning sirens activated in Gaza-area kibbutzim
Rocket warning sirens blare in the kibbutzim of Kissufim and Ein Hashlosha, both near the border with Gaza.
Hanegbi: Israel not currently engaged in ceasefire talks but end of fighting in ‘our interest’
National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi says Israel is not currently engaged in talks on a ceasefire, with the current focus on striking the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group.
Hanegbi touts the “unprecedented” operation in Gaza over the past several days, noting the killing of numerous top PIJ members.
“The Egyptians are trying,” he says at a cultural event in Mevaseret Zion, referring to Cairo’s efforts to broker an end to the fighting. “They want to stop the violence and prevent an escalation. That’s also our interest.”
He also says Israel achieved its goals “in the first seconds” of the operation, referring to the initial assassination of three senior Islamic Jihad officials.
“Everything that’s been going on since requires us to act because they’re firing on us,” he adds.
IDF strikes 3 Islamic Jihad mortar launching positions in Gaza
It adds that it also hit an Islamic Jihad military post in one of the recent strikes.
The IDF says that so far today it has hit 13 underground rocket launchers, and is continuing to strike targets at this hour.
Rocket sirens blare in Kerem Shalom
Rocket sirens sound in the border community of Kerem Shalom, signaling incoming fire from Gaza.
There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Israel says Islamic Jihad fired mortars at Gaza border crossings
In the latest round of hostilities, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group has launched dozens of mortars at the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings with the Gaza Strip, authorities say.
In a joint statement, the Defense Ministry and the military’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories say the attacks will prevent the crossings from opening.
The crossings have been closed since Tuesday.
“The rocket fire at the crossings, as well as the failed rocket fire, harms the residents of the Gaza Strip,” the statement says.
Palestinian reports of casualties in Israeli strike near Khan Younis
Palestinian media outlets are reporting casualties in an Israeli airstrike near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
There are no further details on the strike, and the Israeli military has yet to comment.
Police say 2 seriously injured, 1 moderately in Shokeda rocket strike; men said to be from Gaza
Police say two of the men injured in a rocket strike near Shokeda are in serious condition, and one person is moderately wounded.
Medics initially said one person was seriously wounded.
According to reports, at least two of the three men injured by the rocket fire were Palestinians from Gaza.
The men were said to be shepherds who were permitted to work on the agricultural land near the Gaza border.
Rocket sirens sound in Ashdod, towns across Shfela region
Incoming rocket sirens are sounding in the coastal city of Ashdod and in towns across the Shfela region.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad had vowed to continue rocket attacks on Israel following Israeli strikes against the terror group in the Gaza Strip.
There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage in the latest barrage.
Rocket alert sirens sound in Nirim, Ein HaShlosha
Sirens sound in two communities close to the border with the Gaza Strip, signaling incoming fire.
Alerts blare in Nirim and Ein HaShlosha.
There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
1 seriously injured, 2 moderately by rocket fire near Gaza border town of Shokeda
Three shepherds are wounded, including one seriously, in a rocket strike near the southern Gaza border town of Shokeda, medics say.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service says it is taking the three men in their 40s to the Soroka hospital in Beersheba for further treatment.
The other two men are listed in moderate condition, MDA says.
2 injured by shrapnel in rocket barrage fired from Gaza toward border towns
Rocket alert sirens blare in Gaza border communities
IDF says it hit 3 underground Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket launchers
Rocket sirens sound in Sderot, Netivot and Gaza border communities
Heavy rocket barrages fired at Ashdod, Gaza border communities
IDF strikes Palestinian Islamic Jihad command centers in Gaza Strip
Rockets fired toward Ashdod, Gaza border communities
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