Israel resumes strikes on Hamas tunnels, suspected smuggling ships
GAZA CITY — Israel has renewed military attacks targeting the smuggling of arms and weapons systems into the Gaza
Strip.
Palestinian sources said Israel has increased air, naval and ground
strikes on suspected Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip. They said the
strikes were meant to prevent a resurgence of Palestinian missile and rocket
strikes on Israel.
"We are rapidly entering a new period of confrontation," a Palestinian
security source said.
In May, the Israel Air Force bombed at least five suspected weapons
tunnels along the Gaza Strip border with Egypt. On May 2, three tunnels were
targeted, and two Palestinians were reported killed.
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The Israel Navy has also intensified strikes against Palestinian and
other boats in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Khan Yunis and Rafah.
The sources said navy patrol vessels have fired light arms and artillery
nearly daily toward the boats, suspected of smuggling weapons to the Hamas
regime.
Ground forces have also attacked targets in the eastern Gaza Strip. The
sources said Israeli main battle tanks have been firing toward the refugee
camp of Jabalya, regarded as a Hamas stronghold. Several Palestinians were
said to have been injured.
After a month of relative quiet, Palestinian gunners have resumed
missile and rocket fire into Israel. Over the last few days, missiles and
mortars have been fired from the northern Gaza Strip. No Israelis have been
reported injured.
On May 2, the Israeli military was placed on alert for an
intensification of Palestinian missile strikes against the Jewish state. The
military's Home Front called on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip to
await instructions on how to protect against Palestinian attacks.