Israeli has intensified its airstrikes on alleged militant targets in the Gaza Strip, upping the ante on the already tense security situation along its border.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets struck an alleged Hamas military compound in Northern Gaza. Hamas rules the Gaza Strip and is considered a terror organisation by Israel, the US and the EU.
Israel said its strikes were in response to an explosive device that reportedly detonated near an an army vehicle recently along the Gaza border. The IDF said the explosive devices were set up as mass, week-long protests recently erupted along the Gaza border, killing dozens of Palestinians.
On Monday, the Israeli Air Force struck a target it said was linked to Hamas. The IDF claimed Monday’s attack was in response to Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate Israel’s border fence.
Tensions have been rising on the Gaza-Israel border
This week’s airstrikes follow increased actions by the Israeli army as tensions along the Gaza-Israel border continue to rise.
On April 4, the Israeli army targeted and killed a Palestinian it claimed was an “armed terrorist” adjacent to the border fence. The army claimed the man was carrying explosives and a firearm.
On March 30, the Israeli army targeted three Palestinians along the Gaza-Israel border, that it said were trying to infiltrate Israel, with tank fire.
On March 18, the Israeli air force conducted a number of airstrikes reportedly against Hamas which it said was in response to an IED explosion along the border. A few days prior, Israeli tanks attacked Hamas positions in Gaza and Palestinian media reported Palestinians were killed in moves by the Israeli army.
In February, 18 Palestinian militant were targeted with airstrikes after four of Israeli soldiers were injured in an explosion along the border.
Read the full article written by Rosie Pepper at the Business Insider.