Illustrative image. Source: the PIJ military media.
The number of rockets and mortar shells fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other armed factions in the Gaza Strip since the start of Israel’s Operation Shield and Arrow reportedly exceeded 1,200 on May 13.
The last wave of rocket attacks targeted several Israeli settlements and towns around Gaza, wounding at least three people near Shokeda.
In its latest update, Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service said that the rocket attacks killed an Israeli and wounded five others. 16 more were wounded after falling while running to shelter, while 43 others were treated for severe anxiety. The numbers do not include the three wounded near Shokeda, two of whom are said to be in a life threatening condition.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had attacked 350 positions belonging to the PIJ since the start of Operation Shield and Arrow on May 9. The latest strikes on May 13 afternoon targeted command centers, rocket launchers and mortar sites of the faction.
The strikes on Gaza claimed the lives of 33 people, including three women and six children, health officials in the strip said. At least 150 others were wounded.
The confrontation could go on for another day, or even more. Egyptian efforts to broker a ceasefire between the PIJ and the IDF are yet to produce an agreement. Recent reports indicate that the talks are facing several problems, due to demands made by both sides.
