The Israeli army rained over Gaza with air strikes on Monday after a rocket was fired from the Palestinian enclave on the weekend, according to their statement. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the Israeli army conducted a predawn raid in Nablus in the northern West Bank, resulting in the death of one person. The ongoing violence in the area over the past year has made Nablus a near-constant scene of unrest in the occupied West Bank. The army has not commented on the Nablus raid yet.
According to the Israeli military, they launched strikes on an “underground complex containing raw materials used for the manufacturing of rockets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization” in Gaza. The army stated that these strikes were a response to a rocket launch from Gaza into Israel that took place on Saturday.
After the Israeli strikes, air raid sirens were heard in communities near the Gaza border, as reported by the military. Photos emerged showing Palestinians examining a wedding hall that had been destroyed after the Israeli strikes on the city on Monday.
Over the course of the year, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 47 Palestinian adults and children, including both militants and civilians, with the latest death occurring in Nablus. According to a tally based on official sources from both sides reported that 9 Israeli civilians, including 3 children, and one Ukrainian civilian have also lost their lives during this same period.
Late Saturday, Israel’s security cabinet announcement that it would legalize nine West Bank Jewish settlements is likely to escalate tensions. This decision was made in response to fatal Palestinian attacks that took place in annexed east Jerusalem.
According to Israeli government many newly authorized communities had existed for years and decades without being recognized as legitimate by Israel’s government.
Since the 1967 Six-Day War, the West Bank has been occupied by Israel.
The Palestinian territory is now home to approximately 475,000 Jewish settlers, with most residing in settlements that have been unilaterally authorized by Israel. However, some of these settlers live in communities that do not have government authorization and are considered illegal under international law.
An announcement was made by the cabinet minister that intended a new round of settlers housing construction in the West Bank, which is likely to evoke widespread international condemnation.
Last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a warning against the expansion of settlements during his trip to the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which is known for its hardline stance, has also announced an increase in security measures in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, following two recent deadly attacks on civilians in the area.