Israel Launches Airstrikes On Gaza, 20 Palestinians Killed

An illustration of Palestinians in the rubble of the remains of an Israeli airstrike. (Wikimedia Commons/RafahKid Kid)

JAKARTA - The Israeli military launched deadly airstrikes on the Gaza Strip region, as clashes escalated with the Palestinians on Monday, May 10.

Speaking to Reuters Tuesday, May 11, Gaza Strip health officials said at least 20 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, which were launched after Palestinian militants fired rockets near Jerusalem.

The Israeli military said it carried out attacks on armed groups, rocket launchers, and military outposts in Gaza after militants there crossed what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a 'red line'. It opened fire on the Jerusalem area for the first time since the 2014 war.

Israeli rocket fire and airstrikes continued into the night, with Palestinians reporting loud explosions near Gaza City and along the coastal strip.

Shortly before midnight local time, the Israeli military said Palestinian militants had fired about 150 rockets at Israel, dozens of which were intercepted by its missile defense system.

Earlier, Hamas and a smaller militant group claimed responsibility for rocket fire in Jerusalem.

"We have launched rocket attacks against the enemy in occupied Jerusalem in response to their crimes and aggression against the holy city and aggression against our people at the Sheikh Jarrah and Al-Aqsa Mosques," said Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas' armed wing.

In response, Israel denounced the rocket attacks and promised to retaliate against all attacks carried out, with much larger attacks.

"Terrorist organizations crossed a red line on Jerusalem Day and attacked us, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Israel will respond very strongly. We will not tolerate attacks in our territory, our capital, our citizens, and our soldiers. Whoever attacks us will pay a heavy price," Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Separately, Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said that at least six rockets fired from Gaza were launched into the outskirts of Jerusalem, where a house was hit. No casualties have been reported.

"We have begun attacking Hamas military targets. They'll pay dearly. We experienced several rocket events fired by failed Gaza terrorists. It's probably the same," Conricus said. He added that the military was investigating reports that children had been killed.

Along the fortified Gaza-Israel border, a Palestinian anti-tank missile fired from a small coastal area struck a civilian vehicle, wounding one Israeli, he said.

Upon learning of the deaths in Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decided to cancel the upcoming Eid celebrations marking the end of Ramadan, and limit them to religious rituals only, according to a statement published by the official WAFA news agency.

In addition, he also ordered the flag to fly at half-mast, in honor of Palestinians killed in Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip.