Violence between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has flared up again.
The Israeli army says 15 missiles have been fired at communities near the border, where alarm sirens sounded early in the morning. Israel responded by bombing targets of Hamas, the dominant organization in the Gaza Strip.
A rocket fire already took place on Tuesday when Israel made agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in the White House.
Then two people were slightly injured in the Israeli port city of Ashdod. After that, according to the army, Palestinians fired more projectiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attackers want to stand in the way of peace. “I am not surprised that the Palestinian terrorists targeted Israel at the very moment of the historic ceremony,” he said.
Hamas warned of further escalation in violence. “The occupier (Israel) will pay the price for any aggression against our people or sites of the resistance,” said a statement by the Islamic group. “There will be an immediate response.”
Israel and Hamas had closed a truce last month after months of shelling back and forth. However, the agreement between Israel and the Gulf states has led to discontent among Palestinians, who feel betrayed.
There were demonstrations in Gaza and the West Bank on Tuesday. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Palestine is not for sale.”
