Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “massive strikes” against Hamas militants and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza as cross-border fighting continued into a third day Sunday – marking the deadliest clashes since 2014.
Netanyahu, speaking at a security cabinet meeting on Sunday, directed military leaders to reinforce tanks, artillery and infantry forces around the Gaza Strip.
“Hamas bears responsibility not only for its own attacks and actions but also those by Islamic Jihad, for which it pays a very high price,” said Netanyahu, who also serves as defense minister.
Militant groups in Gaza have launched at least 600 rockets and mortars at towns and villages in southern Israel since Friday, Israel’s military said, noting that its Iron Dome anti-missile system has intercepted more than 150 of them.
In retaliation, Israel has pounded more than 260 targets belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in the Gaza Strip.
Officials in Gaza said 16 people, including five civilians, have been killed in the bombardment since Friday.
In Israel, authorities said Moshe Agadi, a 58-year-old father of four, was killed when shrapnel struck him in the chest in the southern town of Ashkelon.
A 49-year-old man was killed when a rocket slammed into a factory in Ashkelon, a man died when his vehicle was hit by a Kornet anti-tank missile near the border with Gaza and a 35-year-old man was killed when a rocket hit his car in Ashdod.
Another 66 people were wounded.
They were the first rocket-related deaths in Israel since the 2014 war when 73 people were killed.
According to the United Nations, more than 2,200 Palestinians were killed during the 50 days of fighting.
With Post wires
