Israel strikes Gaza amid soaring tensions with militants
The Hindu
Israel says it is striking Gaza and declaring a “special situation” on the home front after days of tensions following the arrest of a senior Palestinian militant in the occupied West Bank
Israel said it struck Gaza on Friday and declared a “special situation” on the home front, after days of tensions following the arrest of a senior Palestinian militant in the occupied West Bank.
A blast could be heard in Gaza City, where smoke poured out of the seventh floor of a tall building. It was not clear who was targeted in the attack.
Israel had closed roads around Gaza earlier this week and sent reinforcements to the border as it braced for a revenge attack after the arrest of a senior member of the Islamic Jihad militant group in the occupied West Bank on Monday.
It was not immediately clear what Israel was targeting or how much the situation would escalate. Israel and the Hamas militant group have fought four wars and several smaller skirmishes in the 15 years since it seized power from rival Palestinian forces.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited communities near Gaza on Friday, saying authorities were preparing “actions that will remove the threat from this region,” without elaborating.
“We will operate with internal resilience and external strength in order to restore routine life in Israel’s south,” he said, “We do not seek conflict, yet we will not hesitate to defend our citizens, if required.”
The latest escalation began when Israeli forces arrested a senior member of the Islamic Jihad militant group in the West Bank town of Jenin late on Monday. A teenage member of the group was killed in a gunbattle between the Israeli troops and Palestinian militants.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rebukes U.S. VP J.D. Vance's criticism of Europe's stance on hate speech and far-right.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy blocks Trump-led deal, demands security guarantees, and urges Europe to act independently.
Hundreds of Israelis gather in Tel Aviv to watch Hamas release three Israeli hostages from Gaza.
U.N. chief demands respect for DRC's territorial integrity to avoid regional war at African Union summit.
Zelenskyy calls for European armed forces; Scholz defends democracy; Vance warns of free speech retreat; Trump-Putin peace talks.
First bus of freed Palestinian prisoners leaves Israeli jail Ofer, as 369 detainees set for release after hostage exchange.
Lebanon's President condemns attack on UN convoy in Beirut, vows to maintain security; protesters block roads in capital.
President Donald Trump seeks to reverse environmental standards for household appliances, yearning for old-school gas stoves and light bulbs.
Syrian forces uncover defunct drug factory in former Hezbollah stronghold near Lebanese border, cracking down on smugglers.
Cook Islands signs strategic partnership with China, raising concerns in New Zealand over growing Chinese presence in the Pacific.
Trump and Musk fire thousands of federal workers, sparking legal challenges and criticism over government downsizing efforts.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy discusses incomplete radio transmissions and altimeter issues in Black Hawk helicopter crash investigation.
Missouri judge blocks abortion restrictions, Planned Parenthood prepares to resume services, citing politically motivated barriers to care.