Israeli army says 18 projectiles fired from Gaza towards southern Israel

By Mohammad Sio

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army said late Tuesday that around 18 projectiles were launched from the Rafah area towards southern Israel targeting the Kerem Shalom Crossing and the settlement of Re'im.

“Approximately 18 projectiles were fired from the Rafah area toward the areas of the Kerem Shalom Crossing and Re’im following sirens that sounded earlier today,” a military statement said.

It marked the second time in recent days that projectiles were directed towards the crossing.

“These projectiles prevent the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza,’’ the statement added.

‘‘The IDF (army) will continue to operate to enable the necessary security conditions to reopen the Kerem Shalom Crossing to provide humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians,” it said.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, said Tuesday that they fired at least 30 rockets towards settlements in southern Israel.

Israeli media also reported that at least 30 rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israeli settlements in the border area, causing fires.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas which killed about 1,200 people. Nearly 34,800 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and 78,100 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul