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IDF Solider Shot At Gaza Border, IDF Responds With Airstrikes On Hamas Positions
Published 3 years ago
On Saturday, August 21, 2021, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched multiple airstrikes on four weapon storage and manufacturing sites belonging to Hamas. Throughout the early months of 2021, Israel Defense Forces and Hamas were in active conflict due to the oppression and attempted eviction of Palestinian settlers in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. This is obviously not the first encounter these two groups have had, however during this years conflicts, hundreds of airstrikes have been launched between the two parties. During the eleven day conflict, at least 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed, marking this the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas in years.
Since May of 2021, majority of the conflict had settled. However, a protest which took place on Saturday marked the 52-year anniversary of the burning of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque on August 21, 1969. While Palestinians gathered at the Gaza border, many became violent, throwing molotov cocktails and rocks at Israel soldiers. In the footage provided, it shows one Palestinian pointing a handgun through the border walls and firing multiple shots. Later reports have indicated, the Israel soldier was critically wounded from this specific engagement. Taking non-lethal measures, Israel forces dispersed the crowd of protesters using tear gas.
Later that evening, Israel Defense Forces reportedly launched the aerial attack on the Hamas weapon storage and manufacturing positions, as a direct response to the shooting of their soldier. As of right now, there has been no direct reports of casualties during IDF's engagement on these positions. On Sunday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stated "Saturday's airstrikes showed Israel was trying to cover up its failure and disappointment in front of the steadfastness of our people and their valiant resistance."
In response to the recent conflicts, Israel's "Iron Dome" has taken action on one rocket fired by Gaza, marking the first "official" attack between the two parties since their truce.
