CMEP Bulletin: Continuing Violence and Diplomatic Brinksmanship in the Holy Land
This week the cycle of violence that erupted with the August 18 terror attacks in southern Israel continued to wreck havoc for both Israelis and Palestinians. Rockets fired from Gaza into Israel increased significantly and Israel responded with a series of airstrikes in the strip.
After the initial attack that killed eight Israelis, the Israeli Air Force bombed a building in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing the commander of the Palestinian Resistance Committee (PRC) and two other prominent members of the group. Israeli officials initially said they believe the PRC is behind last week’s attacks in southern Israel, but as yet, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack and questions have been raised about the PRC’s involvement.
Militant factions within Gaza responded to Israeli airstrikes with a barrage of 160 rockets, 120 of which landed in Israeli territory. On August 20, two Grad rockets hit the Israeli town of Beersheba, causing the death of one Israeli civilian. Several Israelis were injured due to the increased rocket fire. At least 15 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes before Hamas announced a cease-fire on Sunday evening, brokered by Egypt.
By Wednesday, the cease-fire was broken when Israel launched an airstrike killing Ismail Asmar, a senior member of the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad. At least six other Gazans were killed and more than 30 injured in a series of assaults Wednesday night. After the airstrike, Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for at least four rockets and several mortar rounds.
Click here to continue reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:
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