ANKARA (AA) – Israel announced today that it is imposing a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip due to intensified fighting with the Palestinian group Hamas, reports Anadolu.
“I have ordered a complete siege of the Gaza Strip,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said after the Army’s assessment session, The Times of Israel reported.
“There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed (to Gaza),” Gallant stressed.
Early this morning, the Israeli Army confirmed that it had struck more than 500 targets in Gaza overnight, claiming they were Hamas and Islamic Jihad positions.
The Gaza-based Hamas resistance group launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel on Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. The group said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Quds (Jerusalem) and increased violence by Jewish settlers.
In retaliation, the Israeli Army launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, killing 560 Palestinians and injuring at least 2,900.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, at least 700 Israelis died in the clashes, and over 2,300 were wounded.
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