Israeli air strikes on Gaza result in 12 reported deaths

Twelve people, including three leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement and their wives and children, were killed in Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. The Israeli military said that the air attacks targeted members of the group responsible for recent rockets fired towards Israel. Witnesses reported explosions targeting residential apartments in different parts of Gaza, while the Ministry of Health declared that at least 20 others were injured in the air attacks. The deceased included nine civilians, mostly family members of the Islamic Jihad leaders, and civilians living in the apartments that were targeted.
 
Reporting from Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Youmna El Sayed said that the Israeli air raids occurred at about 2 am local time on Tuesday. She stated that the 20 injured people were civilians, and most of the deceased were family members of the commanders. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement confirmed the deaths of the three leaders in a statement that did not disclose how many children were killed or their ages.
 
Last week, Israeli missiles pounded the densely populated Gaza Strip following rockets fired towards Israeli territory in the aftermath of the death of Khader Adnan, a well-known Palestinian hunger striker. Adnan, who was affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, had refused to eat for 87 days, protesting against his arrest without charge. He died after nearly three months on hunger strike.
 
The Israeli bombardment last week damaged multiple areas in Gaza, including al-Safina, al-Baydar, and near the al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, according to Al Jazeera’s Maram Humaid. The recent air raids followed the intervention of Qatari, Egyptian, and United Nations officials to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and armed Palestinian factions, which had calmed the situation.
 
In anticipation of Palestinian rockets being launched in response to the air attacks on Tuesday, Israel’s military issued instructions advising Israeli residents of communities within 40 km (25 miles) of Gaza to stay close to designated bomb shelters. COGAT, a unit in the Israeli defence ministry that coordinates civilian affairs with Palestinian authorities, announced that two crossings with Gaza have been closed for entry and exit of people and goods until further notice.
 
The recent air attacks have increased tensions in the region, with condemnation from Palestinian and international leaders. The UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland expressed his concern over the latest escalation of violence, urging all sides to avoid further bloodshed. The Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also condemned the attack, calling for international protection of the Palestinian people.
 
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett defended the air raids, stating that Israel would act “forcefully” against anyone who threatened the country’s security. The Israeli army has reported an increase in rocket attacks from Gaza in recent months.