Dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel on Saturday, as sirens warning of incoming fire blared in Israel. The rocket fire started at 06:30 am, coming from multiple locations in Gaza. The Israeli army issued warnings and sirens across the country, urging residents to stay near bomb shelters. They also reported that “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip.” A rocket hit a building in central Israel, leaving a 70-year-old woman in critical condition and another person trapped. Another incident resulted in a 20-year-old man being moderately injured by shrapnel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene security chiefs to discuss the situation. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.
The blockade on Gaza has been imposed by Israel since 2007 when the Hamas militant group took power. This has led to several devastating wars between Palestinian militants and Israel. In September, tensions heightened when Israel closed the border to Gazan workers for two weeks. This closure coincided with Palestinian protests along the heavily-militarized border. Demonstrators resorted to burning tires and throwing rocks and petrol bombs at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and live bullets. Critics viewed the closure as collective punishment against Palestinian workers, who have better job opportunities in Israel than in Gaza, where unemployment is high. The reopening of the crossing on September 28 raised hopes of calming the situation in Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in the deaths of at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, and two foreigners this year. The majority of the fatalities have occurred in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. There has been an increase in army raids, Palestinian attacks against Israelis, and settler violence against Palestinians and their property. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, where several far-right ministers reside, are considered illegal under international law.