Hundreds of Qassam missiles launched from the Gaza Strip caused panic among the residents of southern Israeli territories, thousand fleeing the ravaged regions.

In response, Israel initiated several airstrikes against Hamas key positions and leaders, as the battle moved on the ground Thursday, 33 Hamas officials being arrested in the West Bank.
 
Many of the detained politicians were top-ranking officials, mayors, parliament members  and even a minister, Nasser Eddin al-Shaer. The Palestinians were accused of supporting the military wing of the leading party, which is regarded as a terrorist organization throughout the world.

Jerusalem fears that Hamas will move most of its operations in the West Bank and decided to act promptly, destroying the so-called “government mechanisms” which “encourage and support” terrorist acts against Israel.

The Palestinian authorities promptly responded by saying the arrests are abusive and could only worsen the situation, instead of defusing it. A conflict erupted between the two neighbouring territories after Hamas militants launched a rocket attack on regions in southern Israel a week ago, a woman being the only fatality until now.

Meanwhile, airstrikes continue to storm Gaza, three buildings and a vehicle belonging to the Islamist militants being destroyed.
According to the military, the buildings were used for money transactions, millions of dollars allegedly coming from Iran, Lebanon and Syria being used to support the attacks against the Jewish state.

Operations carried out by tanks in the northern part of the Strip destroyed some positions of the militants, who were launching missiles on Israel from the mentioned sites.

Israel harshly criticized the attacks and decided to respond in a similar manner, launching airstrikes against Hamas key positions. Dozens of militants have been killed until now by the pinpoint attacks, but along with them civilian casualties were reported. 

The international community expressed its concern over the escalading armed conflict, which could have serious repercussions on the social and economic sectors.