Missiles launched in Gaza

The Islamist militant group Islamic Jihad fired several rockets from the Gaza Strip toward nearby towns in Israel on Saturday, May 4, damaging a number of homes and killing one civilian. Israel responded with multiple rocket strikes into Gaza.

The conflict escalated, and by the evening of May 5, Islamic Jihad had fired more than 650 missiles into Israel, killing three civilians, while Israeli airstrikes had targeted 350 locations in Gaza, killing at least 25 Palestinians, seven of whom were confirmed to be members of Islamic Jihad. Israel reported that at least 240 missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.

A truce, made with the assistance of Egypt and Qatar, was reportedly agreed to on May 6.

It should be noted that the increase in violence comes in advance of two important events: Palestinian Memorial Day, May 7, and Israel’s hosting of the Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv, May 14-18.