Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Saturday made what appeared to be an unprecedented incursion into southern Israel, prompting Israel to order residents across the territory to stay indoors.
The infiltration occurred as militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel.
The Israeli military said “a number of terrorists have infiltrated Israeli territory.”
It did not provide further details, but an amateur video posted on social media showed what appeared to be uniformed gunmen inside the Israeli border town of Sderot.
Gunshots can be heard in the video, the authenticity of which could not be immediately confirmed.
The infiltration came as militants in the Gaza Strip fired dozens of rockets at Israel early Saturday, triggering air raid sirens across the country and raising the possibility of a new round of fierce fighting.
Rockets fired from the air could be heard in Gaza and sirens wailed as far away as Tel Aviv, about 40 miles to the north, during the early morning attack that lasted more than 30 minutes.
Smoke billows after a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip in Ashkelon, Israel on Oct 7, 2023.REUTERS
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue agency said a 70-year-old woman was seriously injured when a rocket hit a building in southern Israel.
Elsewhere, a 20-year-old man was moderately injured by rocket fragments, he said.
As rocket attacks continue across southern and central Israel, millions of Israelis are ordered to stay near bomb shelters in their homes and apartment buildings.
The army said residents on the Gaza side should stay in their homes due to “security incidents.”
Rockets were fired from Gaza City towards Israel on Oct. 7. 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Palestinian media in Gaza reported a possible militant attempt to infiltrate Israel, but no further details were immediately available.
There was no immediate response from Israel.
But the Israeli military usually launches airstrikes in response to rocket fire, raising the possibility of a wider battle.
While there has been no claim of responsibility for the rocket fire, Israel generally holds the ruling Hamas militant group responsible for any fires emanating from the territory.
A man runs on a street as flames spread after a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel Oct. 7, 2023. REUTERS
The launch comes after weeks of heightened tensions along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza, and heavy fighting in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas, an Islamist militant group opposed to Israel, took control of the territory in 2007.
The bitter enemies have fought four times since then.
There have also been many rounds of skirmishes between Israel and Hamas and other small militant groups based in Gaza.
A view of damaged buildings after a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel Oct. 7. 2023. REUTERS
The blockade, which restricts the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, has devastated the region’s economy.
Israel says the sanctions are needed to prevent militant groups from building up their weapons. Palestinians say the closure is collective punishment.
The rocket fire came during a period of intense fighting in the West Bank, where nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military raids this year.
Israel said the raid was aimed at militants, but stone-throwing protesters and people not involved in violence have also been killed.
Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets have killed more than 30 people.
Tensions have also spread to Gaza, where Hamas-linked activists have staged violent demonstrations along the Israeli border in recent weeks.
The demonstrations were stopped at the end of September after international mediation.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
