The Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, August 21, 2020. (Credit: Amir Cohen, Reuters, via Times of Israel).
A series of strikes and counter-strikes escalated on Thursday night and Friday morning between the Israeli military and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, resulting over a dozen rockets fired into Israel, several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, and at least one civilian injury in the Israeli border town of Sderot. The exchange comes just two days after similar tit-for-tat strikes on Tuesday night.
The latest round of conflict began on Wednesday as Gazan terrorists released more incendiary balloons over the security fence, causing over twenty fires in the Sha'ar HaNegev and Eshkol regions, followed by more balloons and fires on Thursday. The Israeli military responded with tank fire against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, which in turn led to the firing of two rockets from Gaza that landed in an uninhabited area. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) responded with several targeted airstrikes in the Strip, including one targeting a a Hamas rocket building factory. The latter strike prompted Hamas to fire seven rockets toward the Israeli border town of Sderot. Six of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, although falling debris damaged one Sderot home, sending its residents into shock and injuring one woman who was seeking shelter. The IAF responded with additional airstrikes against Hamas underground facilities late Thursday night.
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Although it appears that Hamas will not retaliate again for now, Thursday night’s exchange was the largest to date since smaller Gazan militant groups began floating the incendiary balloons into Israel over two weeks ago, recalling the escalation that led to hundreds of rockets fired and dozens of IAF airstrikes in Gaza last November.
We ask the global FAI family to be in prayer for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict. We pray for the schemes and actions of terrorists to be restrained, and for wisdom, skill and courage to be granted to the IDF as they defend southern communities against the ongoing threat of those who have vowed their destruction. We pray for a divinely ordained shield of protection around both Gazan and Israeli innocents, who both suffer in the shadow of Hamas and their Iranian benefactors.
Maranatha.
