Israel Launches Air Strikes On Gaza After Rocket Fire

 

The Guardian/AFP: Israel carries out airstrikes on Gaza Strip 

Israeli army confirms ‘striking in the Gaza Strip’ early on Thursday, hours after it said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory

Israel conducted airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip early on Thursday, according to journalists and witnesses, hours after the military said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Palestinian territory. 

New rounds of rockets were fired from Gaza after these strikes, and fresh explosions could be heard from Gaza City about 3.15am local time, Agence France-Presse journalists reported.

In a statement issued at 2.41am, the Israeli army confirmed it was “striking in the Gaza Strip”. According to local security sources and witnesses, the first strikes – at least seven – hit a training centre of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

The centre is located in al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.  

Read more .... 

Israel Launches Air Strikes On Gaza After Rocket Fire 

Israeli jets strike what army says is Gaza rocket workshop -- AP  

Israel hits Gaza after rocket fire despite US appeal for calm -- Reuters 

Israel, Gaza militants exchange fire amid soaring tensions -- The Hill  

Israel launches air strikes on Gaza Strip -- Middle East Eye 

Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza After Rocket Intercept -- VOA  

Israel launches air raids on Gaza after rocket fire -- Al Jazeera

Israel's IDF Launches Multiple Retaliatory Strikes On Gaza After Two Rockets Land Near Tel Aviv

Smoke and fire following an airstrike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, early on January 2, 2022. (Said Khatib/AFP)  

Times of Israel: Israel carries out airstrikes in Gaza in response to rockets off Tel Aviv coast 

Strikes reportedly hit Hamas targets in southern part of Strip after defense officials warned of response to ‘serious and unacceptable’ launches against central Israel 

The Israel Defense Forces carried out retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza late Saturday night after two rockets fired from Gaza landed off the Tel Aviv coast on Saturday morning. 

The IDF confirmed it had carried out the airstrikes and said more details were forthcoming. 

Palestinian media reported the airstrikes in the southern part of the Strip shortly before midnight.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Videos: IDF Launches Multiple Retaliatory Strikes on Gaza After Two Rockets Land Near Tel Aviv (Sputnik)  

Update #2: Israel is striking Gaza hours after rockets fired at Tel Aviv (Times of Israel)  

WNU Editor: A sobering start to a new year.

Israel Launches Airstrikes On Hamas Targets In Gaza After Violent Border Protests

 

DW: Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza after border clashes 

The violence is one of the worst since the 11-day Israel-Hamas conflict in May. A 13-year-old Palestinian boy and an Israeli Border Police solider were among those critically injured. 

Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas sites in Gaza late on Saturday following clashes between Palestinians and border troops that left dozens wounded. 

A 13-year-old Palestinian boy and an Israeli Border Police solider were among those critically injured in what was one of the worst flareups since the May 21 truce. Health authorities in Gaza said the boy was shot in the head. 

They described most of the other injuries as moderate, including gun shots to limbs, backs and abdomens. 

"Forty-one civilians were wounded with various injuries," Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement. 

Read more .... 

More News On Israel Launching Airstrikes On Hamas Targets In Gaza  

Israel strikes Gaza after violent protests along border -- FOX News/AP  

Israeli aircraft strike Hamas sites in Gaza after border clashes -- Reuters  

Israel bombs Gaza in response to violent border clashes -- France 24 

Israel strikes Gaza after violent protests along border -- Canadian Press  

Israeli aircraft strike Hamas sites in Gaza as hostilities escalate -- The Guardian

Israel Launches Airstrikes At Hamas Weapons Factory In Gaza After Wave Of Arson Balloons

Illustrative: A fireball lights up the night sky above buildings near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, as IDF planes hit a Hamas site in the Palestinian enclave, on June 17, 2021. (Screen capture)  

The Guardian/AFP: Israel hits Gaza with airstrikes after more incendiary balloon launches 

Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Israeli-blockaded Gaza, said the strikes hit training sites Israel hit Islamist militant sites in Gaza with airstrikes on Friday in retaliation for incendiary balloon launches from the Palestinian enclave, in the latest unrest since a ceasefire ended May’s conflict.

Security sources with Hamas, the Islamist group that runs Israeli-blockaded Gaza, said the strikes hit training sites. There were no injuries reported. 

A statement from Israel’s army said: “In response to the arson balloons fired towards Israeli territory today, (military) fighter jets struck ... a weapons manufacturing site belonging to the Hamas terror organisation.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Here we go again. 

Israel Launches Airstrikes At Hamas Weapons Factory In Gaza  

Israel bombs Hamas weapons factory in Gaza after wave of arson balloons -- Times of Israel 

IDF Warplanes Strike Hamas Targets In Gaza Strip -- i24 News  

IDF aircraft strike in Gaza in response to incendiary balloons -- Jerusalem Post  

Israel launches air strikes on Gaza after incendiary balloons spark small fires -- France 24

Israel Launches Airstrikes On Gaza In 2nd Day Of Strikes

 

ABC News: Israel bombs Gaza City in 2nd day of strikes since breaking cease-fire 

The two sides agreed to a cease-fire that was approved on May 20. 

Israel bombed Gaza for the second straight day Thursday as a cease-fire signed last month appeared to be falling apart between the two sides. 

The Israeli government said it targeted Hamas sites in Gaza City and Khan Younis late Thursday. Explosions could be seen in the night sky from the jet strikes. 

Read more .... 

More News On Israel Launching Airstrikes On Gaza In 2nd Day Of Strikes 

Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza for second time since ceasefire -- France 24  

Israel airstrikes hit Gaza in response to Hamas' incendiary balloons -- DW 

Israel launches new airstrikes on Gaza in response to incendiary balloons -- The Guardian 

Israel launches more strikes in Gaza Strip over incendiary balloons -- NBC 

IDF strikes Gaza for second time this week, after incendiary balloons spark eight fires in southern Israel -- CNN

Israeli air raids target Gaza for second time since ceasefire -- Al Jazeera

Ceasefire Collapses As Israel Carries Out Airstrikes In Gaza After Militants Launch Firebombs

 

Daily Mail: Huge explosions rock Gaza as Israeli warplanes launch airstrikes in response to Hamas firebomb balloons just three weeks after ceasefire was agreed 

* Aircraft launched a new attack against Hamas armed compounds in Gaza Strip 

* The military said it was a response to firebombs sent to southern Israel 

* Israel said it is 'ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting' 

Israeli aircraft have launched fresh airstrikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, bringing an end to the brief ceasefire after the latest devastating conflict in the region. 

Israel's military said the latest explosions were a response to the launching of incendiary balloons that caused fires in fields in southern Israel.

In a statement, the military said that it was 'ready for all scenarios, including renewed fighting in the face of continued terrorist acts emanating from Gaza'.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: These air strikes were ordered by the new government. I am also surprised that the ceasefire lasted this long. I had originally thought that it would last for only one week. 

More News On The Breaking Of The Ceasefire Between Israel And Hamas  

Israeli airstrikes target Gaza sites, first since cease-fire -- AP 

Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza after Palestinians send incendiary balloons -- France 24

Israel launches airstrikes on targets in Gaza -- DW  

Israel strikes in Gaza after arson balloons launched -- BBC

Israel carries out Gaza Strip airstrike after militants release incendiary balloons -- The 0Guardian

Israeli military launches airstrikes in Gaza in response to incendiary balloons launched from the coastal enclave -- CNN  

Gaza unrest: Fire balloons, airstrikes mark a new round of violence in Israel -- FOX News 

Israel launches air raids on Gaza Strip -- Al Jazeera 

Israel strikes Gaza, 1st time under new government & after ceasefire that ended 11-day war (VIDEOS) -- RT

Israel's IDF Say That Their Military Operation Against Hamas Was The World's First AI War

An IDF tank takes part in military drills as part of the “Tnufa” multi-year plan. (photo credit: IDF) 

Jerusalem Post: Israel's operation against Hamas was the world's first AI war 

The IDF used artificial intelligence and supercomputing during the last conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Having relied heavily on machine learning, the Israeli military is calling Operation Guardian of the Walls the first artificial-intelligence war. 

“For the first time, artificial intelligence was a key component and power multiplier in fighting the enemy,” an IDF Intelligence Corps senior officer said. “This is a first-of-its-kind campaign for the IDF. We implemented new methods of operation and used technological developments that were a force multiplier for the entire IDF.” 

In 11 days of fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military carried out intensive strikes against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets. It targeted key infrastructure and personnel belonging to the two groups, the IDF said.  

Read more ....  

Update: IDF brags of waging 'first AI war,' lending credence to view that Gaza serves as testing ground for Israel's fighting techniques (RT)  

WNU Editor: As to the recent war. IDF intelligence does not think this ceasefire is going to last long .... IDF Intelligence hails tactical win in Gaza, can’t say how long calm will last (Times of Israel).

Israel and Hamas Ceasefire Still Holding With Both Sides Claiming Victory

 

France 24: Israel and Hamas both claim victory as fragile ceasefire ends 11 days of fighting 

Israel and Hamas both claimed victory on Friday after their forces ended 11 days of fighting, but a clash between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem underscored the fragility of the truce. 

Egypt, which mediated the pre-dawn end to the worst hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians in years, discussed measures to avoid a resumption of the militant rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel and Israeli strikes on the enclave. 

The Gaza violence was set off on May 10 in part by Israeli police raids on the al-Aqsa mosque compound and clashes with Palestinians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 

Thousands gathered there again for this Friday's prayers, with many staying on to demonstrate in support of Gaza. 

Read more .... 

 Update: Israel and Hamas both claim victory as ceasefire holds (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: Hamas can claim victory, but on the ground it is a different story .... The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City (NPR). 

And as for the future .... I am skeptical. The reasons why this brief war started in the first place have not changed .... Israeli forces in violent confrontations with Palestinians outside Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque after Gaza ceasefire (CNN).

Israel And Hamas Accept Egyptian Mediated Proposal For A Ceasefire

 

Daily Mail: Celebrations in the street as Israel and Hamas CEASE FIRE in Gaza after fierce 11-day conflict saw 232 Palestinians and 12 Israelis dead 

* Israel and Hamas have ceased hostilities across the Gaza Strip border, bringing a halt to fierce fighting 

* Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal 

* Palestinians in the Gaza Strip lined the streets in celebration as the ceasefire came into effect 

Palestinians are celebrating in the streets of Gaza after Israel and Hamas ceased hostilities, bringing a halt to the fiercest fighting the region has seen in decades. 

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said his Security Cabinet unilaterally approved the Egyptian-mediated proposal. 

Since the fighting began on May 10, health officials in Gaza say 232 Palestinians, including 65 children and 39 women, have been killed and more than 1,900 wounded in aerial bombardments.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Will it last? In past conflicts it took a few ceasefires before a permanent one was established. 

On a side note. President Biden is taking credit for this ceasefire .... Biden takes credit for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and promises to 'replenish' Netanyahu's defense systems including the Iron Dome to help ensure 'security in the future' (Daily Mail). Egyptian President Sisi is giving the US President some credit for helping this Egyptian sponsored ceasefire .... Sisi praises Biden's role in Egypt-sponsored ceasefire between Palestine, Israel (Ahram Online). Others are skeptical .... Biden tries to claim credit for cease-fire between Israel and Hamas (FOX News). 

More News On Israel and Hamas Agreeing To Gaza Cease-Fire  

Gaza ceasefire takes effect after Egypt-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas -- France 24 

Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end bloody 11-day war -- AP

Israel-Hamas truce takes hold after 11 days of fighting -- Reuters  

Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire comes into effect -- BBC  

Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza cease-fire -- DW  

Israel approves Gaza ceasefire to halt 11-day conflict -- The Guardian

Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas agree to a ceasefire -- CNN  

Israel officials approve cease-fire with Hamas following 11 days of Gaza violence -- FOX News 

Israel, Hamas agree on Gaza ceasefire proposed by Egypt to end 11-day conflict -- RT  

Israel Announces Truce In Gaza - Will Take Effect Overnight -- Zero Hedge  

Biden commends Netanyahu after Israel-Hamas cease-fire is reached -- Politico  

World reaction to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza -- Al Jazeera

Israel - Gaza War News Updates -- May 19, 2021

 

CNBC: Israel says it will strike more Hamas tunnels running under Gaza homes, rockets fired from Lebanon  

* Late Wednesday afternoon Lebanese security officials reported several rockets fired from southern Lebanon into Israel. 

 * President Joe Biden in a Wednesday morning call with Netanyahu said he expected “a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.” 

Israel is continuing its bombardment of Gaza as Israeli-Palestinian violence enters its second week and militants in the blockaded Gaza strip carry on their rocket fire. 

Hostilities have spilled out into Jerusalem, the West Bank and Israel, as Palestinian protesters striking in solidarity with Gazans clash with Israeli police, some of the protesters throwing rocks while police respond with tear gas. 

Many of the demonstrators do not support Hamas, but see the protests as acts of resistance against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.  

Read more .... 

Israel - Gaza War News Updates -- May 19, 2021  

The Latest: Islamic Jihad leader expected ‘costly’ battle -- AP  

Live Updates: Israel - Gaza Conflict -- BBC  

Biden tells Netanyahu he ‘expects significant de-escalation today on path to ceasefire’ – live -- The Guardian  

Netanyahu, Gaza militants vow to fight on as Biden urges ‘de-escalation’ -- Reuters 

Israeli bombs pound upscale Gaza district to rubble -- AFP 

Israel-Palestinian Conflict Rages, France Proposes UNSC Resolution Urging Cease-fire -- VOA 

Israel aims at 'forceful deterrence' but could 'conquer' Hamas: PM -- France 24  

Israel’s Netanyahu ‘determined’ to continue Gaza operation -- AP  

Israel-Gaza crisis: Cease-fire remains elusive -- DW  

In Gaza, fear of Israeli bombs outweigh Covid risk -- AFP

President Biden Calls For 'Significant Deescalation Today' In The Israel - Gaza War. Netanyahu Ignores Biden And Vows To Press Onward

 

Daily Mail: Netanyahu says he will CONTINUE Gaza attacks after Biden told him he expected 'significant de-escalation today on the path to ceasefire' 

* President Biden hardened public stance on Israel in a phone call Wednesday morning 

* 'The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,' said the White House 

 * The aim is a 'sustainable calm,' added a spokeswoman traveling with the president on Air Force One 

* But Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was 'determined to continue this operation until its aim is met' 

* Earlier he insisted he did not 'rule out anything' in tackling Hamas 

* At least 219 Palestinians have died in the fighting, according to the Gaza ministry of health 

* Twelve people have been killed in Israel since tensions erupted into violence on May 10 

* Biden's shift came after Rep. Rashida Tlaib told him Palestinian human rights were 'not a bargaining chip' 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'determined' to continue the operation in Gaza until his objectives had been met, shrugging off U.S. President Joe Biden's demand to de-escalate hostilities. 

After a visit to military headquarters, he said he appreciated American support but would push ahead until calm had been restored. 

His response came hours after Biden told him in a phone call to scale back attacks that have killed hundreds of Palestinians. 

It marked a shift from Biden's public position of support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks and follows another night of strikes against targets in Gaza. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: President Biden is under pressure from progressive members of the Democrat party. This more forceful statement from him to end to the war comes hours after this confrontation yesterday .... U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib Confronts Pressident Biden On An Airport Tarmac To Express Her Dissatisfaction With The U.S. Response To The Israel - Hamas War (May 189, 2021).  

But this conflict is far from over. The 2014 war lasted almost 7 weeks. I can see the same time frame happening in this one.

 More News On President Biden Calling For A 'Significant Deescalation Today' In The Israel - Gaza War. 

Biden calls for 'significant deescalation today' in Gaza but Netanyahu vows to press onward -- Politico  

Biden calls for 'significant de-escalation today' in 4th call with Israel's Netanyahu -- ABC News/AP  

Biden Tells Netanyahu He Expects ‘Significant De-Escalation Today’ -- New York Times

Netanyahu brushes off Biden call for 'significant de-escalation' in Gaza, says Israel 'determined to continue' -- FOX News 

Israel-Gaza: Biden tells Netanyahu he wants 'path to ceasefire' -- BBC  

Biden tells Israel’s Netanyahu U.S. expects ‘a significant de-escalation today’ in Gaza -- CNBC

No Signs Yet Of A Ceasefire In The Israel - Gaza War

 

Reuters: Ceasefire still elusive in Israel-Gaza conflict 

AZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants kept up cross-border rocket fire, with no firm sign on Wednesday of any imminent ceasefire despite international calls to end more than a week of fighting. 

Israeli leaders said they were pressing on with an offensive against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but an Israeli military spokesman acknowledged that with an estimated 12,000 missiles and mortars in the groups' Gaza arsenal, "they still have enough rockets to fire". 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: A major obstacle to end the current conflict is a lacking of this .... Middle East seeks a mediator as Israel strikes Gaza (DW). 

More News On Attempts to Arrange A Ceasefire In The Israel - Gaza War  

Israel-Gaza crisis: Cease-fire remains elusive -- DW  

Biden tells Israel's Netanyahu US supports Middle East 'ceasefire' -- France 24  

EU seeks Mideast cease-fire, concerned conflict will spread -- AP  

Nearly entire EU bloc calls for Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire -- UPI  

EU, minus Hungary, calls for Israel-Palestine ceasefire -- Al Jazeera  

France pushes for UN Security Council resolution on Israel-Palestinian conflict -- France 24  

Macron and Sisi call for a rapid end to Israel-Gaza hostilities -- France 24

Israel Gaza War -- News Updates May 18, 2021

 

Daily Mail: Israeli strikes have set Hamas militants back 'many years' says Netanyahu as calls for cease fire grow and death toll in Gaza reaches 215 including 100 women and children 

* Netanyahu said air strikes have set Hamas militants back 'many years' 

* The country's airstrikes on Gaza have so far killed at least 215 Palestinians 

* It comes as international calls for a ceasefire continue to grow 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that air strikes have set Hamas militants back 'many years'. 

He made the comments as the country continued its air strikes on Gaza, in violence which has so far killed at least 215 Palestinians including almost 100 women and children.

In Israel 12 people, including two children, have been killed. 

The bombardment of Gaza, which has so far lasted for 9 days, has 'set Hamas back by many years,' Mr Netanyahu said on Tuesday.  

Read more .... 

Israel Gaza War -- News Updates May 18, 2021  

Israel-Gaza crisis: EU calls for cease-fire — live updates -- DW  

Israel-Gaza Conflict: Live Updates -- BBC  

Israel, Gaza bombings rage as Biden’s cease-fire call goes ignored -- CNBC  

Rockets from Gaza rain havoc on Israeli cities in latest war -- AP  

‘Every day there is bombing’: Israel airstrikes hitting affluent heart of Gaza -- The Guardian

IDF says it bombed 120 Gaza terror targets in 24 hours -- Times of Israel  

IDF preps for 'intensive night' of Gaza airstrikes as two Thai workers killed -- Jerusalem Post

IDF twice tried, failed to kill Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif last week -- Times of Israel

Israel closes Gaza border after mortar attack -- BBC  

Palestinians stage general strike as Gaza rocket kills two and Israel topples six-storey building -- ABC News (Australia)  

UN reports more than 52,000 Palestinians displaced amid Israeli air strikes on Gaza -- France 24  

Israel-Gaza: Netanyahu says militants 'set back by years' -- BBC  

Gaza-Israel conflict: Israel defends strategy as death toll mounts -- BBC

IDF Says An Underwater Drone Attack By Hamas Was Thwarted

An aerial view of the Israeli 'Tamar' gas processing rig 24 kilometers off the Israeli southern coast of Ashkelon. Noble Energy and Delek are the main partners in the oil field, October 11, 2013. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90) 

 Times Of Israel: IDF says it thwarted underwater drone attack by Hamas from northern Gaza 

Military destroys autonomous submarine before it leaves the coast and strikes car used by Hamas operatives who launched it; no details on target of attempted attack 

The Hamas terror group attempted to attack Israeli naval assets with an autonomous submarine from northern Gaza on Monday, the Israeli military said, adding that it destroyed the device shortly after launch and struck the team that operated it. 

According to the Israel Defense Forces, a number of operatives from the Gaza-ruling terror group were seen approaching the shore with the device and putting it in the water.  

Read more ....  

Update: Israel Halts Production on Offshore Gas Platform After Attempted Hamas Attacks (Haaretz)  

WNU Editor: The IDF is also saying that the drone operator was killed in a military strike.

U.S. Blocks U.N. Security Council Statement On Violence In Gaza

My sincere thanks to the U.S. Administration and in particular to @SecDef. Lloyd Austin, with whom I spoke this week, for rightly preventing the unjust U.N. Security Council statement criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) May 17, 2021

Jerusalem Post: US blocks UN Security Council statement calling for ceasefire 

He added that he was also concerned by violent clashes between Israeli security forces in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as well as internal rioting. 

The United States blocked the United Nations Security Council from issuing a statement that called for an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence on Monday, but failed to condemn or even mention Hamas or the Gaza rockets. 

When pressed by reporters in Denmark as to whether the US was standing in the way of diplomacy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “we’re not standing in the way of diplomacy. To the contrary, we’re exercising it virtually nonstop.”  

Read more ....  

Update #1: U.S. Blocks U.N. Statement on Violence in Gaza (WSJ)  

Update #2: US Again Blocks UN Statement Urging Halt To Gaza Violence - Accused Of "Obstructionism" (Zero Hedge)  

WNU editor: The next UN Security Council meeting is on Thursday.

President Biden Calls For A Ceasefire As The Israel-Gaza War Escalates

 

The Hill: Biden backs Middle East cease-fire in call with Netanyahu 

President Biden on Monday expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said. 

It marked the first time the president has publicly called for a cease-fire over the course of a week of intensive diplomatic efforts to ease violence as Hamas rocket fire and Israeli retaliatory airstrikes have terrorized the region. 

“The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end,” the White House said in a readout of the call.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: A lot of talking, but there is no forward movement to ending this war. 

More News On President Biden Calling For A Ceasefire As The Israel-Gaza War Escalates  

Biden raises cease-fire, civilian toll in call to Netanyahu -- AP  

Under pressure, Biden works for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza violence -- Reuters  

Amid pressure, Biden backs cease-fire in call with Israel's Netanyahu -- ABC News  

Biden tells Israel's Netanyahu US backs Middle East 'ceasefire' -- France 24  

Israel-Gaza violence: Joe Biden calls for ceasefire -- BBC  

United Nations meets Thursday to address 'rapid deterioration' in Mideast -- The Hill  

Middle East seeks a mediator as Israel strikes Gaza -- DW

Israel - Gaza War News Updates -- May 17, 2021

 

Daily Mail: Senior Islamist commander is 'killed in Israeli airstrike' after dozens of jets pounded Gaza overnight in 'heaviest bombardment since fighting began' as death toll rises to 211 

 * Hussam Abu Harbid, commander in Palestinian Islamic Jihadi, killed in air strike according to Israeli air force 

* Israelis said Harbid directed rocket attacks including some of the ones which sparked the recent conflict 

 * Strike followed another night of heavy bombardment that IDF said targeted Hamas tunnels and commanders 

* Death toll now stands at 201 Palestinians including 58 children, and 10 Israelis including one child 

A senior Palestinian militant commander has been killed in an Israeli airstrike, the country's air force has claimed, following a night of heavy bombardment that saw more than a hundred bombs dropped on Gaza. 

Hussam Abu Harbid, commander of the Northern Division of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), was killed in a strike on Monday, according to the Israeli air force as airstrikes continued into Monday afternoon.  

Read more .... 

Israel - Gaza War News Updates -- May 17, 2021  

Israel strikes Gaza tunnels as truce efforts remain elusive -- AP  

Israel-Gaza conflict rages on despite U.S., regional diplomacy -- Reuters  

Three huge blasts rock Gaza City after Israel vows to continue strikes against targets in Gaza -- ABC News (Australia) 

Israel pounds Gaza with fresh round of strikes as diplomatic stalemate goes on -- France 24 

Israel-Gaza conflict: 200 Palestinians killed in a week, say officials -- The Guardian  

Israel-Gaza violence shows few signs of slowing as global diplomacy ramps up -- Reuters  

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza resume as Tel Aviv thanks Biden administration for blocking UN statement calling for ceasefire -- RT  

Military sends warning to another Gaza high-rise; Hamas threatens Tel Aviv -- Times of Israel

IDF ships eliminate targets off coast of Gaza Strip - report -- Jerusalem Post  

‘Massive destruction’: Gaza’s hospitals under strain after Israeli strikes -- The Guardian  

Senior Islamic Jihad commander killed in Israeli airstrike -- Times of Israel  

Netanyahu vows to continue strikes on Gaza as Israel pounds Hamas targets -- CNN

Pro-Israel & Pro-Palestine Groups Violently Clash In Western Countries

 

Zero Hedge: Watch: Pro-Israel & Pro-Palestine Groups Violently Clash In Western Countries 

Over the weekend thousands across the United States attended pro-Palestinian marches and demonstrations on the streets of New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles - calling for an immediate end to the Israeli airstrikes which have killed about 200 people, many of them children. 

Large demonstrations also popped up in Europe, including Paris despite authorities imposing a blanket ban on street protests through the French capital. 

Berlin and London also saw significant protest activity, with signs like "Free Palestine" and chants of "Long live the Intifada!". 

Events were also held in some large Canadian cities like Toronto. But in numerous places counter-protesters were present, waving Israeli flags while in some cases calling Palestinians "terrorists" - and that's where things got violent...  

Read more .... 

More News On Pro-Israel & Pro-Palestine Groups Violently Clashing In Western Countries  

Paris police clash with pro-Palestinian protesters at banned rally -- France 24  

Anti-Israel protests in Germany prompt calls for antisemitism crackdown -- The Guardian  

Jews assaulted during a pro-Israel protest in Toronto - watch -- Jerusalem Post 

Israel condemns Bella Hadid for 'advocating throwing Jews into the sea' after she shared 'anti-Semitic' post to her 42m Instagram followers before taking part in pro-Palestine march in Brooklyn -- Daily Mail 

'It's a human rights issue': Thousands across US join global protests in solidarity with Palestine -- USA Today  

Mapping Palestinian solidarity protests around the world -- Al Jazeera

Watch Israel’s Iron Dome Intercepts Rocket During Live Shot On Fox News

 

WNU Editor: Right place at the right time.

Israel Is Targeting Hamas's Tunnel Network

Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to enter the Jewish state, carry out attacks and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages (pictured, Hamas tunnels identified by the IDF in 2014)  

Daily Mail: The tunnels of death: Inside Hamas’s underground passages used to move weapons and ambush Israeli forces - who are now obliterating the network with airstrikes 

* Israel Defence Forces have long been trying to destroy the tunnels in the Gaza Strip that appeared after 2007 

* Apparently tricked Hamas into sending fighters into the tunnels then bombed them, killing many militants 

 * Network was used by Hamas in 2014 Israel-Gaza war to enter the Jewish state, ambush soldiers, and return 

 * First tunnels were built into Egypt to bypass the Israeli blockade of Gaza, had pivoted towards Israel by 2014 

 * The passages, which Hamas claims are for defence, now branch dozens of kilometres through the Gaza Strip 

* Israel completed a 41-mile underground border wall with motion sensors to detect tunnel digging in March 

Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip in a massive bombardment overnight Thursday. 

Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City. 

In an apparent trick, the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', but a spokesman later retracted that statement, saying no Israeli troops had crossed the border.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Unlike the 2014 war where Hamas used their tunnel networks to great effect. It looks like Israel has a good idea on where these tunnels are in this war.