Heavy bombing of Gaza – houses razed to the ground

Israeli forces entered the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank this morning to carry out a crackdown on what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says were suspected terrorists.

The operation degenerated and gunfire broke out between the IDF and armed people in the camp. As a result, two Palestinians were killed and at least three more reportedly wounded. This is stated by both the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.

Bombed homes in Gaza

At the same time in Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out several heavy bombing raids. Just before dawn this morning, a residential area in Gaza was bombed by Israeli aircraft. According to the AP, four apartment buildings were razed to the ground in the attacks. It is unclear if anyone died or was injured.

The IDF says the buildings were used by the Islamic Jihad militant group and placed rocket launchers there. Meanwhile, residents of the Deir al-Balah neighborhood told The Associated Press that this is not the case and that they do not understand why their homes would be targeted.

"There are no rocket launchers here. This is a residential area," Awni Obaid, who lived in one of the houses that was bombed, told The Associated Press.

Palestinian militant groups have responded by shelling several towns on the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli authorities, at least three people have been injured.

Over thirty dead a week

According to Palestinian authorities, 33 Palestinians have been killed, including six children and three women, since May 9, when Israel launched the "Shield and arrow" operation against the Islamic Jihad group. Around 150 people were also injured during the operation, which largely consisted of several aerial bombings against Gaza.

Since the start of the year, a total of 111 Palestinians have been killed, at least half of whom have been linked to militant groups, which is the highest death toll in about 20 years, according to the AP survey.

Meanwhile, about 20 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks since the start of the year, according to the news agency.