Israel sends reinforcements to Gaza border


BBC | Published: May 13, 2021 19:37:15


-File photo

Israel has started sending thousands of troops to its border with Gaza and has warned it may carry out a ground operation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said its troops should "prepare for battle" as Israel's military chiefs discuss the plans

Meanwhile, Israel has carried out further air strikes in Gaza, with new targets such as banks and intelligence buildings being hit as rockets continue to be fired towards Israel by Palestinian militant groups

The IDF says it will continue targeting sites linked to Hamas, and says it has struck a generator near the home of the Palestinian group's leader Ismail Haniyeh - who is currently in Qatar

The death toll continues to increase, with at least 83 people now killed in Gaza and seven in Israel.

Abd Elkader, 26, works in Haifa - a city with a mixed Arab and Jewish population.

“People here are not feeling safe at all,” he told BBC OS on World Service radio.

“I’ve notified my employer that I won’t be able to take the 30 minute drive to work. You cannot know when you’ll face a lynch attempt similar to the scenes we’ve seen in several cities. People are not feeling safe even in their homes.

“This time of year we’re supposed to be enjoying our time celebrating Eid al-Fitr, especially in a beautiful city like Haifa. But apparently not this time.”

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