In response to violent border protests, Israel bombs Hamas in Gaza

Hours after border protests that saw clashes between Palestinian protestors and officials, Israeli planes struck Hamas militant targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday. In a statement, the Israeli military said that planes bombed a Hamas militant facility in the Gaza Strip in response to the launching of incendiary balloons into southern Israel and violent protests that were staged for a successive week.

Commenting on the bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “We will operate in Gaza according to our interests.” He was speaking to reporters in Washington as he was preparing to board a flight to Israel.

He was in the United States for a physical meeting with US President Joe Biden. Bennett’s state visit was the first since he took office in June.

Bennett further added that he has “achieved all the objectives for the trip” to Washington. The objectives included strategic cooperation in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Earlier on Saturday, hundreds of Hamas-backed activists staged a nighttime protest along the Israeli border. During the protest, explosives were hurled toward Israeli forces, who, in return, responded with live fire.

As per Gaza health officials, three people were injured by Israeli fire.

According to the organisers, the protests are aimed at increasing pressure on Israel to lift its blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Both Israel and Egypt have maintained the blockade since Hamas, a group sworn to Israel’s destruction, seized control of Gaza in a 2007 coup. Israel and Hamas have been involved in war for four years now, the most recent one being in May.

The blockade has crippled the territory’s economy due to its restrictions on the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

Keeping in mind the 11-day war in May, Israel has tightened the closure and has demanded the return of the remains of two dead soldiers. Israel has also asked to relieve two Israeli civilians who are believed to be in Hamas captivity.

(With inputs from Associated Press)