Huge explosions rock Gaza as Israeli warplanes launch airstrikes in response to Hamas firebomb balloons just three weeks after ceasefire was agreed

- Aircraft launched a new attack against Hamas armed compounds in Gaza Strip' the military said it was a response to firebombs sent to southern Israel. Israel said it is 'ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting'

Israeli aircraft have launched fresh airstrikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, bringing an end to the brief ceasefire after the latest devastating conflict in the region.

Israel's military said the latest explosions were a response to the launching of incendiary balloons that caused fires in fields in southern Israel.

In a statement, the IDF military said that it was 'ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from Gaza'.

The attacks, following an Israeli nationalist march in East Jerusalem that angered Palestinians, were the first launched by Israel and Gaza militants since an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire ended 11 days of cross-border fighting last month.

The truce that halted fighting between Israel and Gaza militants did not immediately appear to be threatened by the flare-up, with the overnight Israeli airstrikes giving way to calm by morning.

The Israeli Defence Force said that in response to the 'arson balloons', its 'fighter jets struck military compounds belonging to the Hamas terror organisation'.

It added that 'facilities and meeting sites for terror operatives' in Khan Yunis were targeted.

There were no reports of casualties on either side.





Israel's new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, had said in the past that the Israeli government should not tolerate incendiary balloons, and must retaliate as if Hamas had fired rockets into Israel.

Hamas had threatened to take action in response to an Israeli nationalist march on Tuesday through East Jerusalem.

Thousands of Israeli far-right nationalists chanted 'Death to Arabs' as they marched in a flag-waving procession through East Jerusalem, after Palestinians called for a 'Day of Rage' and condemned the event.

The violence poses an early test for the government of new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, whose patchwork coalition came to power on Sunday on a pledge to focus on socioeconomic issues and avoid sensitive policy choices towards the Palestinians.

But the flare-up could prove challenging for Israel's new government, which represents a cross section of views on the ongoing conflict.

The strikes, the military said, came in response to the launching of the balloons, which the Israeli fire brigade reported caused 20 blazes in open fields in communities near the Gaza border.

A Hamas spokesman, confirming the Israeli attacks, said Palestinians would continue to pursue their 'brave resistance and defend their rights and sacred sites' in Jerusalem.

But analysts suggested Hamas refrained from firing rockets around the march and after the Israeli strikes to avoid an escalation in Gaza, which was devastated by May's aerial bombardment.

'It (the ceasefire) is very fragile. The current calm may give the Egyptians a chance to try and cement it,' said Talal Okal, an analyst in Gaza.

Israel's Army Radio reported that Israel had informed Egyptian mediators that direct Hamas involvement in the balloon launch would imperil long-term truce talks. Israeli officials did not immediately confirm the report.

Hours earlier, thousands of flag-waving Israelis congregated around the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem's Old City before heading to Judaism's holy Western Wall, drawing Palestinian anger and condemnation.

Israel, which occupied East Jerusalem in a 1967 war and later annexed it in a move that has not won international recognition, regards the entire city as its capital.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future state that would include the West Bank and Gaza.

Prior to Tuesday's march, Israel beefed up its deployment of the Iron Dome anti-missile system in anticipation of possible rocket attacks from Gaza.

But as the marchers began to disperse after nightfall in Jerusalem, there was no sign of rocket fire from the enclave.

The procession was originally scheduled for May 10 as part of 'Jerusalem Day' festivities that celebrate Israel's capture of East Jerusalem.

At the last minute, that march was diverted away from the Damascus Gate and the Old City's Muslim Quarter, but the move was not enough to dissuade Hamas from firing rockets towards Jerusalem, attacks that set off last month's round of fighting.





The US and UN had called for restraint before the march, which Bennett's new administration had authorised.

With tensions high, Israeli police were deployed in heavy numbers, blocking roads and firing stun grenades and foam-tipped bullets to remove Palestinians from the main route.

Medics said 33 Palestinians were wounded and police said two officers were injured and 17 people arrested.

The demonstration triggered protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and prompted rebukes and warnings from Israel's allies.

The so-called March of the Flags celebrates the anniversary of the city's 'reunification' after Israel captured east Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967 and annexed it, a move not recognised by most of the international community.

Tuesday's demonstration was originally scheduled for early May but cancelled twice amid police opposition and threats from Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

Throngs of mostly young religious men sang, danced and waved flags at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, that was cleared of its usual Palestinian crowds.

Some chanted 'Death to Arabs' before others quieted them.

The march comes just two days after Netanyahu was ousted after 12 straight years in power, toppled by an ideologically divided coalition including, for the first time in Israel's history, an Arab party.

Bennett is himself a Jewish nationalist but Netanyahu's allies accused the new premier of treachery for allying with Arabs and the left.

Some demonstrators on Tuesday carried signs reading 'Bennett the liar'.

Yair Lapid, the architect of the new government, tweeted he believed the march had to be allowed but that 'it's inconceivable how you can hold an Israeli flag and shout, 'Death to Arabs' at the same time.'

Mansour Abbas, whose four-seat Raam Islamic party was vital to the coalition, called Tuesday's march a 'provocation' that should have been cancelled.

The violence is the first flare-up between Israel and Palestinian militants since a ceasefire came into place in May, ending 11 days of heavy fighting that killed 260 Palestinians including some fighters, the Gaza authorities said.

In Israel, 13 people were killed, including a soldier, by rockets and missiles fired from Gaza, the police and army said.





Israeli ultranationalists chant 'Death to Arabs' during parade through Jerusalem as Palestinians condemn 'provocation' and call for a 'day of rage' in response
Thousands of Israeli far-right nationalists chanted 'Death to Arabs' as they marched in a flag-waving procession through East Jerusalem today, after Palestinians called for a 'Day of Rage' and condemned the event.

Tuesday's event posed a challenge to Israel's new government as police in riot gear diverted crowds made up of many far-right nationalists away from a known social spot for Palestinians.

Last month, Israeli-Palestinian confrontations in contested Jerusalem helped trigger 11 days of cross-border fighting between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group before a ceasefire.

The march was originally scheduled for May 10 as part of 'Jerusalem Day' festivities that celebrate Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war but was postponed until this month.

But despite the threat of renewed violence, the 'March of the Flags' was still given the go-ahead for 5.30pm local time today and tested the newly formed Israeli government.

At one point, several dozen youths, jumping and waving their hands in their air, chanted: 'Death to Arabs!' In another anti-Arab chant, they yelled: 'May your village burn.'

The crowd of mostly religious Jews danced and sung 'the people of Israel live' while carrying blue and white Israeli flags during the march before pilling into the plaza in front of the Damascus Gate, usually a popular social spot for Palestinians.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a state they seek to establish in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Israel, which annexed East Jerusalem in a move that has not won international recognition after capturing it in a 1967 war, regards the entire city as its capital.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9690517/Huge-explosions-rock-Gaza-Israeli-warplanes-launch-airstrikes-ceasefire.html

Shebi you see. Those people fire isreal but it went unreported. All the nations will now be talking about Israel bombing hamas. They be thinking the new President is a Christian, the type that turns the other cheek.

God

When you are surrounded by terrorists neighbours, u need to extreme to contained their excesses.

With Naftali as PM and Gantz as defense minister, two ex military veterans, Hamas and all other enemies will definitely get it hot hot. They dint know all Israeli elite class mostly came from the military and they know the code, deal with the enemies even before they conclude their plans to attack Israel.

Benjamin remains the best leader I have ever known with Putin second best.

No matter who's in charge of Israel, the story will remain the same. Security of Israel supercede personal differences.

Well I'm expecting all these folks who intentionally would overlook Hamas trouble's IV and throw the first stone of accusation at Israel

On the other hand I really do wish our country is that matured to always consider National interest bfr any other thing else

Terrorists & some APC miscreants were jumping all over nairaland rejoicing over ousting of Netanyahu the other day.They didn't know new Bennett is the core Jewish extremist himself.
Netanyahu was even more considerate and tolerant.This time,Bennett will deal with terrorists in the language they understand

Bennett my man..NO JOY for Terrorists!

Seems our ashes head brothers jubilating for netanyahu exit was short lived

They be like, it's ordinary "explosive balloons" Palestinians sent to burn israel farms, israel should have kissed them for such gifts till there are enough ballons to burn the entire israel

Whats now the diff btw Netanyahu and Naftali?

Lol aboki people were jubiliating when Netanyahu lost his seat ..

Now the new Pm dey send war plane because of baloon bomb not rocket oo

If Hamas dare this new prime minister like they did Netanyahu lol na carpet bombing Dem go receive

So this is how the new PM Bennett wants to start his new position....

This is where Bible mischievously came in, the promise.... Same book written mostly by jews to massage their egos.

this people are so dumb why not learn science and technology from isreal and developed yourself instead of throwing bombs and looking for trouble

The Israeli Defence Force said that in response to the 'arson balloons', its 'fighter jets struck military compounds belonging to the Hamas terror organisation'.

This seems like a bit of an overreaction to settling a little grass in a field on fire

Monogamy:
So this is how the new PM Bennett wants to start his new position....

This is where Bible mischievously came in, the promise.... Same book written by jews to massage their egos.

I feel your pain

Maxymilliano:


This seems like a bit of an overreaction to settling a little grass in a field on fire

Yeah, I was waiting for this abdul

Palestinians are free to be sending balloons to burn the fields of a sovereign nation until those ballons aggregates and burns the entire state of Israel

Zombies thought that Netanyahu was the bad guy, but they just met their nemesis with the new PM.

Maxymilliano:


This seems like a bit of an overreaction to settling a little grass in a field on fire

Why look for trouble from someone who is ready to kill you at anytime?

Mikecold:
Yeah, I was waiting for this abdul

Palestinians are free to be sending balloons to burn the fields of a sovereign nation until those ballons aggregates and burns the entire state of Israel

Don't mind their hypocrisy. The don't no of cause and effects. Na u first find trouble, na u still first they cry after chopping small beatings

Monogamy:
So this is how the new PM Bennett wants to start his new position....

This is where Bible mischievously came in, the promise.... Same book written mostly by jews to massage their egos.

You didn't see where Israel explained that the strikes came in response to Hamas firebomb balloons just three weeks after ceasefire was agreed abi?

They broke the truce and should be dealt with.

Death to terrorist head slammers

DOT men will as usual skip the part where Hamas launched the first attack, breaching the ceasefire agreement, to where Israel responded.

The dark spot is always on their foreheads.

BabaOneChance:

You didn't see where Israel explained that the strikes came in response to Hamas firebomb balloons just three weeks after ceasefire was agreed abi?

They broke the truce and should be dealt with.

I have never been in support of both parties cos if the leaders of both countries really care about their citizens, they would lower their egos and allow peace to reign

colorsofrainbow:
Terrorists & some APC miscreants were jumping all over nairaland rejoicing over ousting of Netanyahu the other day.They didn't know new Bennett is the core Jewish extremist himself.
Netanyahu was even more considerate and tolerant.This time,Bennett will deal with terrorists in the language they understand

Bennett my man..NO JOY for Terrorists!

the language they understand

colorsofrainbow:
Terrorists & some APC miscreants were jumping all over nairaland rejoicing over ousting of Netanyahu the other day.They didn't know new Bennett is the core Jewish extremist himself.
Netanyahu was even more considerate and tolerant.This time,Bennett will deal with terrorists in the language they understand

Bennett my man..NO JOY for Terrorists!

I still wished It was Benny Gantz that became the Prime minister, that one is more ruthless sef. Hes still the defense minister.

Bleep Hamas and Iran. Let them try nonsense and see fire.

I So so much love Jews, they will always retaliate. Make christians no learn the act of retaliation first, even Jews, Gods own people will clap back if you slap them but christians will be like, turn the other cheek, forgive bla bla bla.

Mehn ..

Monogamy:
So this is how the new PM Bennett wants to start his new position....

This is where Bible mischievously came in, the promise.... Same book written mostly by jews to massage their egos.

E pain am

Bennette will be more brutal than Netanyahu.
Don't fvck with Israel.
Buhari come and see your mate.


If u shoot knock out at me I fire u with Ak 47. Lol......no nonsense man.

Palestine should not mess with Naftali Bennet.

He will wipe off Palestine, the guy is far right nationalist. He has always condemned Netanyahu for being too diplomatic.

This guy will rain bombs on Iran. mark my words.

But they will eliminate him after that.