Israeli-Occupied Territories Targeted with Thousands of Rockets from Gaza
Palestinian fighters from the Gaza Strip fired more than 5,000 rockets and shells on Saturday morning.
The attack, dubbed "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm", was announced by Mohammad Al-Deif, the leader of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in a rare public statement. He said the operation was a response to Israel's "crimes" and "massacres" against Palestinians, and called on all Palestinians to confront the regime.
“We’ve decided to say enough is enough,” Deif said as he urged all Palestinians to confront Israel.
The rocket barrage targeted Israeli positions, airports, and military fortifications, according to Al-Deif's statement. Israel's ambulance service said a woman was killed by a rocket in the southern city of Ashkelon.
The Israeli military said it detected "a number of infiltrations" from Gaza, but did not give any details.
The attack comes amid an increase in Israeli forces and settlers’ violence against Palestinians, particularly after a right-wing cabinet led by Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.
More than 200 Palestinians have been killed this year in the occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza. The majority of these fatalities have been recorded in the West Bank.
The United Nations said 2023 is the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since it began keeping track of fatalities almost two decades ago.
Previously, 2022 had been the deadliest year with 150 Palestinians killed, of whom 33 were minors, according to the UN.
Source: Agencies
