The Israeli-Palestinian conflict flared up again on Wednesday – the first since the end of 11 days of cross-border violence last month. The Israeli military says it has launched airstrikes on Gaza targeting Hamas bases in response to incendiary balloons launched from the Palestinian territory.
The military confirmed that Palestinian balloon bombs exploded in their 20 open fields near Gaza, and that fires were reported in those locations. At the same time, there are no clear reports of casualties or deaths from Israeli counterattacks.
The AFP report quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Israeli attack was targeted at the southern city of Khan Younis, which has a population of around two million people. Hamas sources confirmed the Israeli attack and warned of retaliation. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it was ready to face any situation.
This is the biggest clash in the region since both sides declared a ceasefire on May 21. A march by Jewish nationalists in East Jerusalem on Tuesday is believed to have triggered new clashes. As a result of the conflict between the two groups, 33 Palestinians and two Israeli police officers were injured, and 17 people were arrested.
Last month, 256 Palestinians and 12 Israelis lost their lives in the conflict. Somya Santhosh, an Indian woman who worked as a caregiver in Israel, was also killed in the Hamas rocket attack.
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