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Israeli warplanes on Tuesday pounded the Gaza Strip to take out Hamas’ rocket fire, killing 13 Palestinians and wounding at least another 90, as the two sides moved closer to another major conflict. The attack, the most serious outburst between the two since November 2012, comes as Israel tries to cope with the wave of violence in Arab Israeli towns over the appalling murder of Palestinian teen by Jewish extremists. After intense rocket fire for almost 4 weeks on the south, Israel appears hell-bent on dealing the Hamas a heavy blow, as the Israeli cabinet reportedly authorized the call up of around 40,000 reserve soldiers.
One man near the Nusseirat refugee camp was killed by the strike, medical officials said. According to sources, he was a member of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas. Soon after, four others were killed when a missile struck a car in Gaza city, medical officials added. According to relatives, the victims were all members of Hamas, and one of them was identified as 32-year-old Mohammed Shaaban, who ran the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades’ naval unit.
Seven others were killed and 25 more were wounded when a missile struck a house in the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, medical officials said. According to sources, a drone had launched a warning flare, prompting people to shield themselves, but soon after, an F-16 launched a missile that reduced the building to rubble. According to emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra, two teenage boys were among the deceased.
Shortly afterwards, an air strike in the suburb of Shejaiya, to the east of Gaza city, killed two Palestinians, al-Qudra said. Earlier in the day, a missile tore through a car in the Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, he added.
General Moti Almoz, spokesman for the Israeli military, said that “(we) have been instructed by the political echelon to hit Hamas hard” and that the operation will take place “in stages”, and hinted at the possibility of a ground offensive.
“All options are on the table; all these steps are being considered. Two brigades, which are currently stationed around the Gaza Strip, are prepared and ready, and in the coming days, more will arrive”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Israeli security cabinet has authorized the call up of 40,000 reserve soldiers.
“The security cabinet has voted to call up some 40,000 reservists in preparation for a possible ground operation in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Protective Edge”, the Ynet new site reported.
Sami abu Zuhri, spokesman for the Hamas said that Israel was “playing with fire” and would pay for its current air campaign, dubbed Operation Protective Edge.
“The Khan Yunis massacre… of children is a horrendous war crime, and all Israelis have now become legitimate targets for the resistance”, he said.