(Photo : MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)
Explosions rocked Gaza early Tuesday morning as Israeli forces assassinated three prominent members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.
Israeli aircraft and helicopters struck multiple targets in Gaza, killing at least a dozen individuals, including three Islamic Jihad commanders.
As of 5 a.m. local time, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported at least 12 deaths and 20 injuries due to the airstrikes and warned that the number of casualties could rise.
Islamic Jihad Leaders Killed in Israeli Airstrikes
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it launched predawn airstrikes on Gaza, citing "continued aggression by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization" as the reason.
The IDF dubbed the operation 'Operation Shield and Arrow' and stated that its fighter jets and helicopters struck ten Islamic Jihad targets, including "rocket production workshops in Khan Yunis," weapon manufacturing sites, military compounds, a concrete manufacturing site, and a military post in southern Gaza.
Explosions illuminating the night sky were captured on video from the coastal enclave, along with the debris of structures destroyed by the strikes. According to CNN, the Palestinian militant organization Islamic Jihad reported that three of its commanders were slain alongside their spouses and children during the operation.
Jihad Shaker Al-Ghannam, secretary of the Military Council in the al Quds Brigades, Khalil Salah al Bahtini, commander of the Northern Region in the al Quds Brigades, and Tariq Muhammad Ezzedine, one of the leaders of the al Quds Brigades' military wing in the West Bank, were among the commanders killed, according to the group.
Witnesses said an explosion struck the upper floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a home in the southern city of Rafah.
Per Times of Israel, just after 2 a.m., the IDF began striking targets in the Gaza Strip in what appeared to be a coordinated surprise assault on the group's senior leaders. According to witnesses, the upper floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a home in the southern city of Rafah.
In the subsequent hours, dozens of attacks were reported across the Gaza Strip, hurling fireballs into the sky as the army targeted terrorist training sites. At 4:45 a.m., Islamic Jihad had yet to respond, most likely due to Israel's ability to surprise the group. However, the coming hours were expected to be marked by intense volleys against Israeli cities.
The IDF's Home Front Command issued directives for residents of Gaza-adjacent areas to remain in or near blast shelters. It ordered local authorities to open public shelters and proclaimed that it would block access to roads close to the enclave.
It also ordered the cancellation of classes in areas surrounding Gaza as far as Lachish and Beersheba. In addition, outdoor gatherings were prohibited, putting a pall on the minor Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer, which occurs on Tuesdays and typically involves children participating in outdoor activities.
The train service between Ashkelon and Netivot was suspended, and the Israel-Gaza border crossings were closed. In anticipation of an escalating conflict spanning at least several days, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authorized the army to call up reserves as necessary.
The explosions occurred days after Gazan terrorists commanded by Islamic Jihad launched nearly 30 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the death of an alleged senior member of the group who was on hunger strike in an Israeli prison. During the conflict on May 2, several rockets struck Sderot, injuring three employees and damaging residences and vehicles.
Khader Adnan's Death
Last week, Israeli missiles bombarded the densely populated Gaza Strip in response to projectiles launched at Israeli territory after the death of well-known Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan in an Israeli prison.
Adnan, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad-affiliated activist, perished after nearly three months on hunger strike. According to the Palestinian Prisoner's Society, Adnan had refused to consume for 87 days in protest of his wrongful detention.
In apprehension of Palestinian missiles being launched in response to Tuesday's air attacks, Israel's military instructed residents of communities within 40 kilometers (25 miles) of Gaza to remain close to designated bomb shelters.
COGAT, an Israeli defense ministry unit coordinating civil affairs with Palestinian authorities, has closed two crossings with Gaza to the entry and departure of persons and goods until further notice, as per Al Jazeera.
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