Israel-Hamas Engage in Armed Clashes for Second Day Over 'Tunnel Escapee' Issue

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas continued armed clashes for the second day over the issue of the 'tunnel escapees.'

According to local media on the 12th (local time), the Israeli military reportedly carried out airstrikes on several Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip early that morning.

An Israeli military spokesperson stated in a press release that they targeted Hamas's rocket production and storage facilities, as well as underground tunnels. The statement said, "Israel will not tolerate attacks by terrorist groups targeting civilians," and added, "We will continue to respond to provocations from the Gaza Strip with airstrikes."

The attack was a response to Hamas's rocket launch targeting Sderot in southern Israel the previous evening. Although the rockets were intercepted by Israel's low-altitude air defense system, the Iron Dome, one Israeli resident was injured during evacuation after the alarm was sounded.

Israel and Hamas, which fought an 11-day war in May, have recently resumed armed clashes over the issue of Palestinian prisoners who tunneled out and escaped from Gilboa Prison in northern Israel.

Hamas, which has treated the escapees as heroes, launched rockets targeting southern Israel on the 10th immediately after two of the six escapees were captured by Israeli authorities. In particular, Hamas condemned the capture of the escapees in a statement and declared a complete halt to ceasefire talks with Israel.

In response, Israel dispatched fighter jets the next day to strike several Hamas facilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.