Foreign countries are trying to de-escalate, but Israel and militant Palestinians continue to fight each other.
Thousands of Palestinians seek protection in schools.
Tel Aviv / Gaza - The new week began again with violence in the Middle East: In a third wave of attacks, the Israeli military once again fired at the extensive tunnel system of the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 54 fighter planes were involved in the nightly operation and 34 targets were attacked, the army announced on Monday morning. About 15 kilometers of the so-called metro system were hit. The houses of nine high-ranking Hamas commanders were also shot at during the night.
On Monday, Israel’s army claimed to have killed a senior military commander of the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
The attack was reportedly aimed at Hasem Abu Harbid, head of the northern command of the militant organization.
He was responsible for several attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers as well as rocket attacks on Israel.
Militant Palestinians, meanwhile, continued their rocket fire on Israel.
During the night and on Monday, areas bordering the Gaza Strip and the cities of Ashkelon and Beersheva were particularly affected.
Middle East conflict: since the escalation began, Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,150 rockets at Israel
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians had worsened during the Muslim month of fasting Ramadan and after the cancellation of the Palestinian parliamentary elections. The conflict escalated a week ago on Monday evening. According to the military, Palestinian militants have since fired more than 3,150 rockets at Israel. About 460 of the missiles launched had fallen in the coastal area. Ten people have so far been killed in Israel as a result of shelling. The iron dome defense system has an interception rate of around 90 percent. For comparison: During the 51-day Gaza War in 2014, a total of 4,481 rockets were fired at Israel.
The military claims to have attacked more than 820 targets in the Gaza Strip so far.
More than 130 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were killed.
Conflict between Israel and Hamas: eyewitnesses report the most severe attacks to date on the Gaza Strip
According to the army, Hamas had built the tunnel system, which had now been bombarded again, over years.
According to an army representative, it is hundreds of kilometers in length.
It is used, among other things, to move fighters, ammunition and food within the Gaza Strip.
The "Metro" is largely located under the city of Gaza in the north of the Gaza Strip.
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Smoke rises as members of the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza City attempt to put out fire in a foam factory after it was hit by Israeli artillery shells.
© Mohammed Talatene / dpa
The Ministry of Health in Gaza put the number of deaths since the escalation began at 198, including 58 children.
1300 people were injured.
Eyewitnesses reported the worst ever attacks on the Gaza Strip over the weekend.
According to the UN Palestinian Relief Agency, around 42,000 Palestinians have left their homes because of the massive air strikes.
They sought protection in schools aid organization.
Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2007
Israel's army claims to be trying to prevent civilian casualties.
Hamas accuses them of hiding in populated areas and using civilians as shields.
Since the second largest Palestinian organization in the Gaza Strip took power by force in 2007, Israel and Hamas have fought three wars.
Israel blames Hamas for all attacks from the Gaza Strip.
The group is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and the EU.
Israel * and Egypt keep the area under blockade and justify this with security considerations.
Abroad tries to de-escalate the Middle East conflict - UN Secretary General warns of uncontrollable consequences
International efforts to de-escalate the recent conflict have so far not been successful.
For example, the special envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the USA, Russia, the United Nations and the EU telephoned each other.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday: “Our campaign against the terrorist organizations will continue with full force.” UN General Secretary António Guterres recently warned of the uncontrollable consequences of the conflict for the entire Middle East.
A special consultation with the EU foreign ministers was planned for Tuesday.
At the weekend, the conflict found an echo in Germany: There were demonstrations in numerous cities.
In addition, top politicians reacted to attacks on Jewish institutions in the country.
(dpa / cibo) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Mohammed Talatene / dpa
