Israel War Planes Struck Targets In Gaza Strip Ahead Of “Annexation”

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – Tensions remained high Sunday after two Israeli warplanes struck targets in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it was a response to two rockets fired at Israeli territory from the coastal enclave, Worthy News learned.

Friday’s strikes came after the militant Hamas group warned Israel that its plan to “annex” areas of the West Bank as early as this week would be viewed as “a declaration of war.”

There were no reports of casualties in either incident. However, Israel’s military said the airstrikes would “impede” the future abilities of Hamas, which rules the West Bank. Yet, Hamas nor any other Palestinian militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks that prompted Israel’s strikes.

Israeli media quoted Palestinian sources as saying that the Islamic Jihad terror group, which also opposes Israel’s West Bank plans, was behind the rocket fire. But it was reportedly an initiative of local fighters and not the group’s leadership.

More attacks were expected as anger increased in the Palestinian territories over Israel’s plans to extend its control over the West Bank, including the strategically vital Jordan Valley. The annexation would effectively dash Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, critics said.

Amid the standoff, Qatar began donating to roughly 100,000 impoverished Gaza families over the weekend. They will start receiving $100 each from the oil-rich Persian Gulf nation, officials said. Qatar has reportedly sent donations nearly a year to the troubled area, saying it wants to bolster calm and prevent Hamas and Israel from going to war.

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