BBC: Israel-Gaza Violence Erupts

Palestinians and Israelis exchanged rocket fire in Gaza after Hamas militants stopped an Israeli unit’s vehicle a few kilometers inside the Gaza strip, apparently exposing an intelligence-gathering mission. “Due to the secrecy of the operation, Israel has not revealed specific details about the mission,” reports BBC News. “The IDF said, however, that the operation was ‘not intended to kill or abduct terrorists, but to strengthen Israeli security.’” Targets in Gaza for strikes included militant compounds, observation posts and a Hamas-run television station. Israel accused the television station of broadcasting propaganda and issued a warning to occupants before the strike. Israel and Palestine have been in conflict since 1948 and BBC explains recent animosity: “Hamas won Palestinian elections in 2006 and reinforced its power in the Gaza Strip after ousting West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' rival Fatah faction in clashes the following year… [the] umbrella Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) has signed peace accords with Israel, Hamas does not recognise Israel's right to exist and advocates the use of violence against it.” Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of Gaza since 2006. The latest clash disrupts mediation efforts by Egypt and the United Nations to end the fighting. – YaleGlobal