Israeli forces say they are engaging in clashes with Palestinian fighters in Ashkelon

JERUSALEM

Israeli forces announced Tuesday that they are engaging in clashes with Palestinian fighters in the city of Ashkelon, Hebrew media reported.

"Israeli army soldiers backed by a helicopter and UAV conducted an exchange of fire with a number of terrorists in Ashkelon Industrial Park,” said the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

The soldiers killed “three terrorists and are continuing to conduct searches in the area.”

“A fire broke out in the area during the incident and firefighting personnel are on their way to the scene," the report said.

Meanwhile, Israeli police announced the killing of two Palestinians in East Jerusalem during clashes.

“During a violent disturbance in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem that included the shooting of fireworks and throwing of stones at the forces, an Israeli soldier was wounded,” they said in a statement.

“In response to the threat to their lives, the fighters responded by shooting at the two attackers and neutralized them, and later they were pronounced dead,” they added.

The Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, sea and air. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

More than 1,900 people have been killed so far in the violence, including at least 900 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, according to authorities.

Israel has also cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza, worsening the blockaded enclave’s already dire humanitarian situation.

Home to nearly 2.2 million people, the Gaza Strip has already been reeling under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi