TEL AVIV An Israel Air Force aircraft targeted four Hamas military posts in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, May 5, according to the IDF Spokesperson Unit. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to hold a security cabinet meeting on Friday with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Eizenkot to discuss the escalation on the Gaza border.
Palestinian sources reported that a woman in her 50s was killed Thursday evening in the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis as a result of retaliatory tank fire.
IDF forces experienced continued mortar fire throughout the day while performing operational activity adjacent to the security fence on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. The latest incident marks the tenth in a series of attacks since May 3.
Khalil Al-Khiya, a member of the Hamas politburo, announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to deescalate the situation, as mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations. However, Palestinian sources reported that Muhammad Deif, commander of the Hamas military wing, ordered an escalation of attacks.
The wave of mortar fire comes with the backdrop of two Hamas tunnels extending into Israeli territory discovered by IDF forces in the last two weeks.
This developing story was updated on May 5 at 11:08 a.m.
