In the wake of a security force raid at the Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight, Israeli planes have attacked numerous locations in Gaza.
A “military location” west of the city and a site in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the middle of the Strip were both struck by Israeli aircraft.
Following nighttime Israeli police strikes on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the raids happened early on Wednesday morning.
Four rockets fired earlier on Wednesday by Gaza in retaliation for the police raid on Al-Aqsa preceded the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
According to the Reuters news agency, witnesses claimed that Israeli tanks also shot at Hamas positions near the southern border of the Gaza Strip.
The strikes did not result in any immediate reports of casualties.
He praised Palestinians, especially those in the Gaza Strip, for their “valiant resistance,” and said they will continue to exercise “our right to support the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Ramadan-related tensions around Al-Aqsa have in the past led to violent clashes between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas government, most recently in 2021.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 12 Palestinians were hurt during the nocturnal raid on the mosque by Israeli police who used rubber-tipped bullets and pummelled them. Additionally, it said that medics were unable to enter the compound of the mosque due to Israeli soldiers.
During the raid, Palestinians recorded videos showing police hitting worshippers with clubs and firearms, according to The Associated Press. A woman can be heard screaming “Oh God, oh God” in one video.
Ziyad al-Nakhala, the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, stated in a news release that the Palestinian people should get ready for this impending conflict in the coming days.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a provocateur who has been overtly anti-Palestinian in his words and actions, is the current head of Israel’s police department.
Youmna ElSayed of Al Jazeera reported from Gaza that “strong Egyptian and international mediations are taking place to de-escalate the situation.”
