Hamas, Islamic Jihad Launch Over 60 Missiles Toward Israel

Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched over 60 mortars and missiles from Gaza toward Israel on May 29, resulting in at least three Israeli soldiers and one civilian injured, all of whom are expected to survive.

Additionally, the Netivot town suffered minor damage after parts of a rocket struck down by the Iron Dome hit part of the town.

#BREAKING: Rocket launched from #Gaza lands in the Israeli city of Netivot pic.twitter.com/2pRjErW5M8

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) May 29, 2018

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas and Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the attacks launched from Gaza in a joint statement, claiming that they were retaliatory measures for Israeli strikes.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by launching over 35 strikes against Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds in Gaza, followed by strikes against 25 Hamas military targets.

“We will work in every way to ensure security and calm for the citizens of Israel,” Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted:

The IDF will respond with great force to these attacks. Israel will exact a heavy price from anyone who tries to attack it, and we view Hamas as responsible for preventing such attacks against us.

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 29, 2018

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called for the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s attacks against Israel.

“The Security Council should be outraged and respond to this latest bout of violence directed at innocent Israeli civilians, and the Palestinian leadership needs to be held accountable for what they’re allowing to happen in Gaza,” Haley said.

The meeting is set to occur on Wednesday.

The strikes against Israel have been roundly condemned by the international community.

“The rocket and mortar fire by Palestinian militants from Gaza towards Israel must stop immediately,” the European Union said in a statement. “Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable under any circumstances.”