Escalations in Gaza: Two Palestinians killed in Rafah and others injuried

Palestine

Published: 2018-02-18 12:03

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 16:19


Israel attacked several locations in Gaza during Saturday-Sunday night. (PalInfoCenter/Archive)
Israel attacked several locations in Gaza during Saturday-Sunday night. (PalInfoCenter/Archive)

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed in Gaza on Saturday night after an Israeli airstrike on Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip. The two 17-year-olds were identified as Salem Mohammad Sabah and Abdullah Abu Sheikha,Wafa news agency reported.

Meanwhile, two other Palestinians were injured after Israeli artillery bombarded a location in Nahda neighborhood in Rafah. The injuries were transferred to Abu Yousef en-Najjar hospital.

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes attacked several locations across Gaza, including Beit Hanoun in the northeast and in Khan Younis in the south. Airstrikes also targeted the Shuhada junction and a farm in Tuffah neighborhood in the city of Gaza.

Escalations in Gaza took place after an explosive device was detonated near an Israeli army unit near the southern Gaza borders, in which three Israeli soldiers were injured. No Palestinians were injured in the incident.


Read More: 'Serious and irregular' incident near Gaza border


Israeli media said the explosion occurred after a suspicious object was discovered by an Israeli patrol. Israeli army were trying to neutralize it when it exploded. The object is said to be a Palestinian flag that might have been placed there during the Friday protests.

The Israeli Radio correspondent called the attack “serious and irregular.” Another Israeli media said that the incident might be the biggest since the end of Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

On the other hand, the Palestinian government held Israel responsible for escalations in Gaza. The government’s spokesman, Yousef al-Mahmoud, blamed Israel for the “grave” escalation. He called for reinforcing intra-Palestinian unity to counter the Israeli escalation, according to Wafa.