Before Israel launched what it describes as pre-emptive strikes targeting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the Gaza Strip, the region had enjoyed an unparalleled summer in recent years.
The beaches of Gaza, which had long been considered too polluted with sewage for swimmers, were declared usable again, allowing Palestinian swimmers and surfers to rediscover the joys of the sea.
All of that came to an abrupt halt on Friday when Israel began a bombing campaign in the Strip, citing threats from the Islamic Jihad movement. Israel said it was forced to launch the strikes while PIJ was planning an imminent attack to “root out” Israeli soldiers or civilians after days of tension along the border.
“We were living in peace and suddenly the bombing started,” said Mohamed Hamami, 40.
“Enough! Enough!” Hoot. “Every month or every year there is a war.”
Islamic Jihad has been threatening since Tuesday an attack — to reinforce its demand that Israel release its leader in the West Bank, Basem al-Saadi, who was arrested in an IDF raid in Jenin on Monday — causing road and community closures for days in areas close to the Gaza border. under direct threat.
Israeli leaders said they could not continue to be “held hostage” by an armed group that brought life near the border to a standstill.
Palestinians inspect the rubble of a collapsed building destroyed by an Israeli air strike on Gaza City, August 6, 2022 (Mahmud Hams / AFP)
In the wake of the Israeli strikes on Gaza, the group responded with hundreds of rockets at communities across southern and central Israel, frequently sending civilians to shelters.
Four major conflicts have occurred since 2007 between Israel and armed groups from Gaza after Hamas took control of the Strip from the Palestinian Authority.
The beach promenade, one of the rare entertainment spots in the poor and crowded area, was crowded less than 24 hours ago, desolate on Saturday. Street vendors stayed indoors and cafes closed.
Fifteen months after the recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions in the area caused devastation, Hamami said he was “surprised” that Israel attacked again.
The IDF said its latest campaign was targeting terrorist sites and fighters, estimating 10-15 fighters killed.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry reported 13 deaths from Israeli fire, including the five-year-old Alaa Qaddoum. The ministry said more than 110 other people were injured.
Paramedics are carried on a Palestinian baby cart that was injured in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes as it arrives in an ambulance for treatment at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, August 6, 2022 (Mahmud Hams/AFP)
For Gazans, the long night and second day of Israeli strikes evoked familiar and unwelcome feelings.
“This latest escalation brings back images of fear, anxiety and a feeling that we are all alone,” said Dunya Ismail, a resident of Gaza City.
She said the incessant explosions and airstrikes kept her awake all night.
“It has become a custom for Palestinians in Gaza to prepare a life bag containing some important things, such as photos, documents, some money and medicine” in case they have to flee their homes, Ismail said.
I hope that this escalation does not turn into a larger conflict, and I hope that the Egyptian mediation will restore calm.
A Palestinian child injured in an Israeli air strike receives treatment at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, August 6, 2022 (Mahmud Hames / AFP)
In Jabalia, northern Gaza, Fouad Farajallah inspected what was left of his home that was hit by an Israeli raid on Friday.
The living room was reduced to a mass of sheet metal and rubble, a fan hanging from the ceiling.
“I was sitting here on the couch with my wife and children, and suddenly everything fell on us,” he said. “My wife broke her hand and my son was injured by shrapnel.”
