On May 11, 2023, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 15 people, including three leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. The attacks came as tensions continued to escalate between Israel and Palestinian factions, with the latest round of violence being sparked by protests in Jerusalem over the eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were in response to rocket attacks launched from Gaza into Israeli territory. The military also claimed that the Islamic Jihad leaders killed were responsible for launching the rockets.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the strikes, with President Mahmoud Abbas calling them a “war crime.” The United Nations also expressed concern over the escalating violence and called for calm and restraint from both sides.
The Gaza Strip, a small Palestinian territory located along the Mediterranean Sea, has been the site of frequent clashes between Palestinian factions and Israeli forces. The area has been under an Israeli blockade for over a decade, with residents facing severe restrictions on movement, access to essential goods, and basic services such as electricity and clean water.
The recent violence in Gaza highlights the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, which has been ongoing for decades. While there have been various efforts to resolve the conflict, including peace talks and negotiations, a lasting resolution has yet to be reached.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with further violence and clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian factions a distinct possibility. The international community continues to call for a peaceful solution to the conflict, but the situation remains highly volatile, and the path to peace remains unclear.