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Tensions Continue to Simmer as Attacks in Gaza Escalate Tensions Continue to Simmer as Attacks in Gaza Escalate
(2 months later)
JERUSALEM — Two Palestinian men suspected of being militants were killed in an Israeli missile strike in Gaza on Friday, according to the military and witnesses, and Israel’s minister of defense warned that he would not tolerate rocket fire from Gaza against Israel or any other attempt to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers. JERUSALEM — Two Palestinian men suspected of being militants were killed in an Israeli missile strike in Gaza on Friday, according to the military and witnesses, and Israel’s minister of defense warned that he would not tolerate rocket fire from Gaza against Israel or any other attempt to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Earlier Friday, an explosive device was detonated against Israeli forces operating near the border fence with Gaza, causing no casualties, according to the military. The forces responded with tank fire that wounded five Palestinians, including a woman and a boy, 11, who was seriously wounded from shrapnel but was in stable condition after surgery, according to Ashraf al-Qedra, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Witnesses said the shells also damaged the minarets of two mosques.Earlier Friday, an explosive device was detonated against Israeli forces operating near the border fence with Gaza, causing no casualties, according to the military. The forces responded with tank fire that wounded five Palestinians, including a woman and a boy, 11, who was seriously wounded from shrapnel but was in stable condition after surgery, according to Ashraf al-Qedra, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Witnesses said the shells also damaged the minarets of two mosques.
“We will pursue and strike with force anyone who acts or plans to act against us, as we did today,” Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli defense minister, said in a statement.“We will pursue and strike with force anyone who acts or plans to act against us, as we did today,” Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli defense minister, said in a statement.
The attacks and stern warning came against a background of simmering tensions along the Israel-Gaza border in the two weeks since three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank.The attacks and stern warning came against a background of simmering tensions along the Israel-Gaza border in the two weeks since three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank.
Israel has blamed Hamas, the Islamic militant group that dominates Gaza, for the abduction. Alongside the search for the missing youths, its military has conducted a campaign of arrests and raids across the West Bank aimed at weakening Hamas’s infrastructure there.Israel has blamed Hamas, the Islamic militant group that dominates Gaza, for the abduction. Alongside the search for the missing youths, its military has conducted a campaign of arrests and raids across the West Bank aimed at weakening Hamas’s infrastructure there.
The events in the West Bank have been accompanied by more rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and retaliatory airstrikes by the Israelis. The Israeli military said it had attacked more than 20 sites it described as “terror targets” across Gaza in retaliation for at least 26 rockets launched against Israel.The events in the West Bank have been accompanied by more rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and retaliatory airstrikes by the Israelis. The Israeli military said it had attacked more than 20 sites it described as “terror targets” across Gaza in retaliation for at least 26 rockets launched against Israel.
Of those, at least 15 hit Israeli territory, causing no casualties; five were intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system; and others fell short and landed in Gaza, one of them apparently killing a 3-year-old girl. A few Palestinians were injured in the Israeli airstrikes, mostly from broken glass.Of those, at least 15 hit Israeli territory, causing no casualties; five were intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system; and others fell short and landed in Gaza, one of them apparently killing a 3-year-old girl. A few Palestinians were injured in the Israeli airstrikes, mostly from broken glass.
Mr. Qedra of the Gaza Health Ministry identified the two men killed on Friday as Osama al-Hussomi, 29, and Muhammed al-Fasih, 24. The Israeli military said they were involved in firing rockets in recent weeks and were planning further attacks against Israelis.Mr. Qedra of the Gaza Health Ministry identified the two men killed on Friday as Osama al-Hussomi, 29, and Muhammed al-Fasih, 24. The Israeli military said they were involved in firing rockets in recent weeks and were planning further attacks against Israelis.
There was no immediate statement from any militant group in Gaza claiming them as members, but they were buried wrapped in the black flags of the radical Islamic Salafi movement.There was no immediate statement from any militant group in Gaza claiming them as members, but they were buried wrapped in the black flags of the radical Islamic Salafi movement.
The men were riding in a car west of Gaza City at the time of the strike, which took place about 50 yards from the home of the former Hamas prime minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniya, in the Beach refugee camp.The men were riding in a car west of Gaza City at the time of the strike, which took place about 50 yards from the home of the former Hamas prime minister of Gaza, Ismail Haniya, in the Beach refugee camp.
Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired a missile at the car, a silver Kia Forte.Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired a missile at the car, a silver Kia Forte.
“I heard the sound of a blast, I turned round and saw the front part of the car burning,” said Shadi Massoud, 24.“I heard the sound of a blast, I turned round and saw the front part of the car burning,” said Shadi Massoud, 24.
Mr. Massoud said the driver’s body was thrown out of the car, which continued driving for a few yards until it crashed into a wall. Among the debris were two trays of rice and chicken covered with aluminum foil, the yellow grains of rice scattered on the ground.Mr. Massoud said the driver’s body was thrown out of the car, which continued driving for a few yards until it crashed into a wall. Among the debris were two trays of rice and chicken covered with aluminum foil, the yellow grains of rice scattered on the ground.