IN THE DEADLIEST EXCHANGE SINCE 2014,
Botched commando raid sparks conflict
ISRAELI WARPLANES TARGETED THE GAZA STRIP AS PALESTINIAN MILITANTS SET OFF DOZENS OF ROCKETS AND MORTAR SHELLS. THE UN ENVOY IN THE MIDEAST PLEADED FOR ‘RESTRAINT.’
GAZA, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY• Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with dozens of rockets and mortar shells Monday, while Israeli warplanes struck targets throughout the Gaza Strip in what appeared to be the most intense exchange of fire since a 2014 war.
Palestinian officials said at least three people, including two militants, were killed by Israeli fire and nine were wounded, while an Israeli airstrike destroyed the ruling Hamas group’s TV station.
In Israel, the national rescue service said at least 20 people were wounded, including a 19-year-old soldier and a 60-year-old woman who were in critical condition.
The United Nations said it was working with Egypt to broker a halt in the violence. “Rockets must STOP, restraint must be shown by all!” the UN Mideast envoy’s office tweeted.
The rocket fire was triggered by a botched Israeli military raid in Gaza on Sunday. Undercover troops, apparently on a reconnaissance mission, were discovered inside Gaza on Sunday, setting off a battle that killed an Israeli officer, named only as Lt. Col. M, and a Hamas commander, 37-year-old Nour Baraka. Six other Palestinian fighters were also killed.
The dead commando was reported to be a member of Israel’s Arabic-speaking Druze minority. Druze soldiers often serve in elite undercover units because their native Arabic allows them to pass as Palestinians.
Around sundown on Monday, militants launched some 100 rockets in less than an hour, the most intense barrage since the 50-day war four years ago. The outgoing rockets, which continued into the evening, lit up the skies of Gaza and set off air raid sirens throughout southern Israel.
The military said warplanes, helicopters and tanks had struck over 70 militant targets, including military compounds, observation posts and weapons facilities. It also said it targeted a squad that was launching rockets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip to France after the commando raid went wrong. He convened Israel’s security cabinet for an emergency meeting as the rocket barrage continued.
Hamas rarely inflicts casualties on Israeli forces and by Monday morning the group was hailing the gun battle as a victory for its side, even though it lost more men.