The attack took place just hours after a missile strike in the Greater Tel Aviv area: Israel has begun firing targets in the Gaza Strip. According to eyewitness reports, a multi-storey building has been destroyed. Focus on targets of radical Islamic Hamas, the Israeli military said.
The military leadership had previously blamed Hamas for the missile attack north of the Israeli metropolis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on a visit to Washington that Israel would not tolerate attacks on his territory (read more about Netanyahu's election campaign).
Gaza exploded according to the Reuters news agency. Security circles of the Palestinians and Hamas media have said that a Hamas position near Gaza City and a training camp in the north of the Gaza Strip had been hit.
Said Khatib / AFP
Rafah, Gaza Strip
It was considered probable that Hamas, which ruled the Mediterranean coastline, had been forewarned and both facilities had been evacuated before. Israeli media had reported before the start of the attacks on Gaza that troops would be sent to reinforce the border with the Palestinian territory. Two additional infantry brigades and armored troops had been mobilized for use.
On the night of Monday, seven Israelis were injured by a missile attack north of Te Aviv. The Israeli military blamed Hamas for that. Netanyahu, who is not only a prime minister in Israel, but also a defense minister, called the attack in Washington a heinous crime. He wanted to end his visit to the United States prematurely. Immediately after talking to Trump, he wanted to fly back, Netanyahu said.
In Washington, Trump emphasized that Israel has a right to self-defense. Netanyahu said Israel will do everything it can to ensure the safety of its citizens. The situation in Israel is tense ahead of the general election on 9 April. On Monday, Donald Trump signed a decree recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.