Very interesting. A Facebook friend of mine that I know in person offered a version of the battle between Gaza and Israel that broke out in the last day or so. It’s from Beth Mann, Vice President of Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA):
The attacks began yesterday when an Israeli bus was targeted by an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza. One 19-year-old Israeli soldier was severely injured in the attack, and he remains in critical condition. According to authorities, tens of soldiers had disembarked from the civilian bus minutes before it was hit. In response to the rockets, the IDF has struck close to 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad military targets in Gaza, including four that were classified as “significant strategic military assets.” Targets included Hamas weapons’ warehouses, a naval vessel used by the terror group, a building used by its internal security service and a Hamas-run television station.
But according to Talking Points Memo:
Violence Erupts Along Israel-Gaza Border After Botched Israeli Raid
Yeah, Mann’s account is probably 100% accurate, but it sort of begins a bit later than the TPM version does.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with dozens of rockets and mortar shells Monday, while Israeli warplanes struck targets throughout the Gaza Strip in what appeared to be the most intense exchange of fire since a 2014 war.
…
The rocket fire was triggered by a botched Israeli military raid in Gaza on Sunday. Undercover troops, apparently on a reconnaissance mission, were discovered inside Gaza on Sunday, setting off a battle that left seven militants, including a Hamas commander, and an Israeli military officer dead.
Which sounds to me as though there was no intention on Israel’s part to start up a military confrontation. Too bad, because Egypt and Israel were in the midst of talks.
