Rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel continued into their third day in a row on Wednesday.
Video of a recent rocket barrage fired at the Israel city of Askhelon showed Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system continuing to intercept incoming rockets.
“Video of a recent wave of rocket launches from #Gaza along with Iron Dome intercepting them. #Israel,” Twitter user Aurora Intel tweeted.
In addition to the long-range rocket attacks fired from the Gaza Strip, Hamas units have targeted Israeli troops and military vehicles with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
The Hamas Al-Qassam brigade shared video of one such rocket attack.
“#Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades have released footage of the ATGM attack that killed one #IDF Soldier today,” Aurora Intel tweeted.
Video of one rocket impact near the Israeli city of Ashkelon has been shared on YouTube.
In the video, a civilian can be seen entering the building just moments before a nearby explosion blows out the glass windows and doors in the building’s front lobby.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched numerous airstrikes of their own, targeting members of Hamas as well as other Palestinian militant groups like the Islamic Jihan Movement. The IDF said Israeli aircraft were able to destroy two rocket launchers as they were preparing to target Israeli civilians.
The Associated Press reported Israel’s airstrikes have also targeted a number of Hamas commanders and have also hit three different multi-story towers.
The IDF tweeted that Hamas has been using the high-rise buildings as headquarters to coordinate the ongoing rocket attacks.
The IDF tweeted, “Moments ago, IDF fighter jets struck a 14-story building in southern Gaza, which housed Hamas military intelligence offices & infrastructure used to communicate tactical-military information. We warned civilians in the building & provided them sufficient time to evacuate.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted another video of the high-rise building being toppled.
In his translated tweet, Netanyahu tweeted, “Whoever shoots at us – bleeds in his head. Congratulations to the IDF.”
On Wednesday, Netanyahu also tweeted condolences to the family of the slain IDF soldier, since identified as Sgt. Maj. Omar Tabib of the IDF’s Nahal Brigade.
“On behalf of all Israeli citizens, I express my deepest condolences and send my condolences to the family and friends of the IDF fighter, the late Sergeant Major Omar Tabib, a fighter in the Nahal Brigade who fell this morning from anti-tank fire during an operation to protect the Gaza Strip. Of blessed memory. I send my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to another fighter and another officer who were injured in the attack.”
On Wednesday, Fox News reported based on Israeli military accounts, that IDF forces have killed 16 Hamas military figures as well as members of the Islamic Jihad movement.
According to the Jewish Telegraphing Agency, six Israelis and up to 55 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing fighting. Those caught in the cross-fire have included children.
Earlier on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern at the ongoing violence and announced the Biden administration had dispatched Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israel and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr to the region to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an attempt to de-conflict the ongoing situation.
