IDF strikes more than 130 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip
In retaliation for the rocket-fire, the IDF carried out waves of airstrikes against 130 terror targets in the Strip, an operation they call “Guardians of the wall.”
By ANNA AHRONHEIMFlames and smoke rise during Israeli air strikes amid a flare-up of Israel-Palestinian violence, in the southern Gaza Strip May 11, 2021(photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS)
Southern Israel was bombarded by over 200 rockets from the Gaza Strip as terror groups sent barrages of rockets, injuring at least seven Israeli civilians.In retaliation for the rocket-fire, the IDF carried out waves of airstrikes against 130 terror targets in the Strip, an operation they call “Guardians of the wall.”The targets hit by Israel included the home of a Hamas battalion commander in a multi-story building, the organization’s military intelligence headquarters, munition manufacturing sites, military complexes belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as two offensive tunnels that were close to the border fence. The strikes also killed 15 Hamas terrorists.Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that a total of 21 people including children were killed in the strikes and another 75 were injured.The wave of airstrikes began after the security cabinet authorized a "significant airstrikes" in the Gaza Strip.IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman warned that the military is “prepared for a variety of scenarios” including an escalation and said that the operation would last “several days” and would deal a hard blow to Hamas.As such, the IDF has deployed additional Iron Dome batteries to the southern Gush Dan region.“We will continue to act vigorously against Hamas and other terror organizations,” he said, adding that Hamas is responsible for “what is happening and will bear the consequences.”Referring to the casualties in Gaza, Zilberman said that while Israel “takes precautions” to minimize possible harm to civilians during its military operations, Hamas “deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population in Gaza.”The spokesman stressed that while 200 rockets were fired towards Israel, ⅓ of the rockets fell inside Gaza. The Iron Dome, he said, had a 90% success rate in intercepting dozens of rockets fired from the Strip.
For more on Hamas attacks and IDF operations read hereFor more on rocket attacks against Israel read here
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Hamas had threatened Israel on Monday that it would launch the rockets due to the ongoing clashes in Jerusalem and shortly after 6 p.m. seven rockets were fired towards the capital.Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday night that "Jerusalem has called and Gaza has responded. We will continue as long as Israel does not stop the aggression and terrorism in Jerusalem and at the al-Aqsa Mosque."On Monday night Zilberman said that the combined rocket attacks towards Jerusalem, Gaza border communities and the anti-tank guided missile that hit a civilian vehicle “is a significant event that won’t go by quietly.”“Hamas will feel our response to this event...it will not last several minutes, but days,” he warned.
