International Shia News Agency
All NewsFeatured 2Middle EastNEWS BRIEFSOther News

Rocket attack from Gaza just two weeks before Israelis go to the polls

SHAFAQNA- A rocket launched  from the Gaza Strip at Israel on Monday, struck a home in central Israel, prompting Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short a trip to Washington.

The developments set the stage for a potential major conflagration, shortly before Israel’s upcoming elections.

The rocket attack destroyed a residential home in the community of Mishmeret, north of the city of Kfar Saba, wounding six people.

Israel’s ambulance service said it treated seven people overall, including two women who were moderately wounded.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the rocket attack was carried out by Hamas, adding that the army was set to deploy two brigades and infantry units to the southern Gaza area. It also called up reserves after the rocket attack, Al Jazeera reported.

Hamas neither confirmed nor denied that it had carried out the attack.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said that he was cutting short his visit to the United States, with the rocket attack posing a new challenge to his bid for re-election just two weeks before Israelis go to the polls.

“In a few hours I will meet with President Trump. I will return to Israel immediately afterward”, he said.

Mr. Netanyahu said Israel is responding forcefully.

Speaking from occupied West Jerusalem, Al Jazeera‘s Stefanie Dekker said that Netanyahu is under “huge pressure” to act.

Israel launched air strikes on several targets in Gaza, including what it called Hamas “military intelligence” headquarters, late Monday and into the morning on Tuesday. The IDF says it launched the air strikes in response to attacks on Israeli communities.

The IDF also said it deployed infantry and armored troops to its southern border, and said it was preparing to call up thousands of reservists, Business Insider reported.

Sirens continued to sound in communities in southern Israel early Tuesday morning, the IDF said.

The Gaza health ministry said seven Palestinians were injured in the Israeli airstrikes, none of them seriously.

The flare-up presented a test for Netanyahu, who also serves as Israel’s defense minister and has made his national security credentials a cornerstone of his re-election campaign.

According to NY Times, a strong response could protect Netanyahu politically while helping restore his reputation as a national security hawk. But a prolonged conflict that could put Israelis under heavy rocket fire and cause Israeli casualties could damage his political campaign.

Related posts

ICJ again orders Israel to ensure humanitarian aid reach Gaza

nasibeh yazdani

[Photos] Palestinians break fast on ruins of demolished homes in Gaza’s Deir Al-Balah

nasibeh yazdani

[Photos] Gaza’s innocent children victims of devastating war

parniani

Top UN court to hold hearings on legality of Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands

leila yazdani

INA: Iraqi PM-Lebanese Supreme Shia Islamic Council Vice President meet

bahramian

INA: Lebanese-Iraqi officials discuss bilateral relations

bahramian

Leave a Comment