Israeli occupation forces launched several intense air strikes early Tuesday morning, on residential streets, killing three Palestinian Islamic Jihad [PIJ] resistance leaders, many civilians and wounding several others.
The raids targeted the Shejaiyah neighborhood in Gaza City in the north, Al-Jeneina neighborhood in Rafah and Khan Younis in the south. The airstrikes continued unabated for 40 minutes spreading panic throughout the occupied territories.
Thirteen people were killed including four children in the attack, with 20 injuried thus far.
Khalil Salah Al-Bahtini, Jihad Shaker Ghannam, and Tarek Mohammed Izz El-Din were the three resistance leaders who were assassinated. While Dr. Jamal Khaswan, one of the directors of the Wafaa’ Charity Collective, also died in the targeted killings.
These assassinations are in the wake of Palestinian political prisoner Khader Adnans’ death through a hunger strike while he was held in barbaric conditions by the occupiers.
Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, in Nablus, announced an immediate armed clash in response, stating they targted the occupation forces “with heavy barrages of bullets and explosive devices.” The organization confirmed casualties among the enemy forces.
The Lions’ Den organization released a statement about the Nablus clashes saying “the Den, accompanied by the armed factions, formed a belt of fire around the storming [Israeli] forces from three sides to force it to withdraw.”
The Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian Resistance stated they “hold the criminal enemy fully responsible for the consequences of this cowardly crime” and the occupation “must prepare to pay the price.”
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [PFLP] sent condolences and “affirm[ed] that this heinous massacre will not go unanswered.”
The fascist Israeli forces also announced that occupying neighborhoods are on full alert and people need to stay in doors due to the escalating conflict.
In light of this development resistance factions may continue coordinating in a non-sectarian fashion to confront the aggressors.