Published 13:48 IST, November 13th 2018
Israeli-led airstrikes target Hamas-run television network Al-Aqsa TV at the Gaza strip
Israeli airstrike bombarded the headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV, a Hamas-run television network, at the Gaza Strip on November 12.
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Israeli airstrike bombarded the headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV, a Hamas-run television network, at the Gaza Strip on November 12.
The strike was a result of the everlasting vengeful oscillation of cross-border flaring between Israel and Palestine.
Hamas, the Palestinian Sunni-Islamist fundamentalist organization governing the Gaza Strip, said that one of Monday's air strikes bombed the building of its television station, in Gaza city. The blast illuminated the dark sky and instantly after three loud explosions the screen turned black
There was no immediate word of casualties reported. Named after a major mosque Jerusalem Al-Aqsa Television said that it would resume broadcasts soon.
Hamas in a statement according to Hamas-linked Palestinian Information Center said that the occupation’s targeting of the station’s headquarters is barbaric and barefaced aggression and the fundamentalist group added that it reflects the enemy’s criminal mindset and is an attack on every free voice seeking to expose the enemy’s crimes, terrorism, and violations at the expense of Gaza.”
The organization has vowed to retaliate, with no intentions to cease the enduring war between the two.
The fragile situation between the two nations escalated on Monday after Palestine reportedly fired hundreds of missiles towards Israel, hitting residential buildings in retaliation to the Israeli military incursion. But, was further extended as Israel responded with more violence.
Hamas also canceled a weekly beach protest in northwestern Gaza along the border with Israel. The organizers cited "the ongoing security situation." Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since the Islamic terrorist group seized control of Gaza from the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority in 2007.
Considering the intensity and sensitivity of the history between the two, UN officials and Egypt has been meddling between the two countries in an attempt to draw a peace deal. Back in September Humanitarian Coordinator on Palestinian Casualties in Gaza had released a statement-
In the most recent war, over 2,200 Palestinians were killed, more than half of them civilians, and tens of thousands lost their homes. Seventy-three people were killed on the Israeli side. Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on Gaza since the Hamas takeover. The lasting fight along with the blockade has destroyed Gaza's economy.
Unemployment is over 50 percent, the territory suffers from chronic power outages and most residents are unable to travel abroad.
For over seven months, Hamas has been leading protests along the Israeli border aimed in large part at breaking the blockade.
Over 170 Palestinians, most unarmed, have been killed by Israeli fire during the protests. Israel says it is defending its border against militant infiltration attempts.
Last week, Israel allowed Qatar to deliver $15 million to Gaza to allow cash-strapped Hamas to pay the salaries of thousands of government workers. At the same time, Hamas has lowered the intensity of the border protests in recent weeks.
The mediators hope to end the protests in exchange for an easing of the Israeli blockade. Those efforts were thrown into question by Monday's fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a visit to Paris because of the flare-up and returned to Israel on Monday for consultations with top security officials.
(with inputs from ANI)
Updated 22:14 IST, November 13th 2018