Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Airstrikes kill six in Gaza strip November 13 /update 5

Event

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) strikes have killed at least six people in the Gaza strip, including a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant, as of Wednesday, November 13. The airstrikes reportedly targeted PIJ positions in Gaza.

As of Wednesday cross-border strikes continue for a second consecutive day following the assassination of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander by the IDF on Tuesday, November 12. The IDF has carried out several airstrikes on the morning (local time) of Wednesday following fresh rockets fired toward Israel from Gaza in retaliation to the assassination. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, 16 people were killed in the territory since the beginning of the airstrikes.

Retaliatory rocket and cross-border attacks by PIJ and other militant organizations are likely to continue over the coming hours and days. Further IDF operations along the border and in the Gaza Strip are also possible.

Context

The IDF said that PIJ Al-Quds Brigade commander Bahaa Abu Al-Ata was targeted during the early morning hours of Tuesday by a precision strike at his residence in the Shejaiyah area of Gaza. According to the IDF, Al-Ata was imminently planning to launch an attack against Israeli citizens and soldiers. Al-Ata has been accused of organizing hundreds of attacks in Israel and developing the rocket capabilities of the PIJ in the Gaza Strip.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.

Some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.