On Thursday, the Israeli Army and Palestinian militias resumed their exchange of fire in the Gaza Strip after a brief night of calm. The renewed violence included Israeli airstrikes targeting military positions of the Islamic Jihad, with reports indicating that one attack hit a site used by a commander of the Rafah Brigade. The escalation has come amid rising tensions and ongoing conflict that has resulted in the deaths of 32 individuals since Tuesday.

Military sources from Israel reported that air force jets struck four military posts belonging to the Islamic Jihad, one of which was associated with the group’s command structure, while also hitting a mortar launcher in the southern region of Gaza. In response, the Islamic Jihad launched additional rockets towards Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes on the launch sites, indicating a clear escalation in hostilities between the two sides.

The situation on the Israeli side was also tense, as sirens sounded in areas near the Gaza border, alerting residents of potential rocket attacks. Communities such as Netiv HaAssara and Sdeh Avraham were on high alert, with residents seeking shelter amid fears of further violence. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the repeated cycle of violence raise significant concerns about civilian safety and the humanitarian situation as deaths continue to mount.