Israel hits Gaza with 50 airstrikes

A minor was wounded last night in a series of raids and shelling which targeted different parts of the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian sources said Israel launched more than 50 airstrikes accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment on targets in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia in the north of the Gaza Strip yesterday evening, wounding four civilians.

According to the spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf Al-Qidra, a 17-year-old boy sustained minor injuries after being struck by shrapnel in his foot. Three children also suffered severe panic attacks due to the heavy shelling. The injured were taken to the Indonesian hospital for treatment.

Israeli warplanes launched several raids in the areas surrounding the College of Agriculture in Beit Hanoun, in addition to agricultural land in the east of the town. Several artillery shells were also fired at open areas in the town of Beit Lahia.

A spokesman for the Israeli army said that the shelling was in response to a rocket attack launched towards the town of Sderot near Gaza’s northern border yesterday afternoon.

This is the most severe escalation since the end of the 2014 Israeli war on the Strip.