Israeli warplanes attack Gaza Strip

An Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jet

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/209123.html

The Israeli military says Israeli warplanes have once again bombarded the impoverished Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip, Press TV reports.

The attack occurred during early hours of Wednesday morning, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The Israeli military claimed that the attack came as retaliation to a rocket fired at southern Israel, although there has been no reported claim of responsibility by any Palestinian group for a rocket attack.

Last week, more than a dozen Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the coastal territory, which has been under a total economic blockade by the Tel Aviv regime since 2007.

The Israeli military frequently bombs the Gaza Strip, claiming that the deadly military attacks are carried out for defensive purposes. However, the Israeli use of disproportionate force, in violation of international law, has always been employed against largely defenseless Palestinian territories, inflicting heavy losses in life and property on the civilian population.

Meanwhile, the Israeli blockade of Gaza has led to a situation that has prompted a severe decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.

After Israel's assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters on May 31, 2010, in which nine civilians were killed, Tel Aviv slightly eased the land blockade of Gaza, allowing in more consumer goods.

However, the naval siege of the Gaza Strip remains in place, as exports are banned and imports of raw and construction materials are restricted.