Israel launches missiles at docked Gaza boat: residents

Israel launches missiles at docked Gaza boat: residents
A boat allegedly belonging to Hamas was destroyed by Israeli forces amid continued military operations on the Gaza-Israel border.
1 min read
Israel said the attack was in response to Palestinian attempts to breach the border [Getty]

Israel destroyed a boat docked in Gaza city early on Wednesday morning, with no casualties being reported, according to local residents.

The Israeli military said they struck military targets belonging to Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. They added they were in response to a group of men breaking through Gaza's separation fence and setting fire to an army post. 

An Israeli tank also targeted a Hamas observation post. 

Gaza residents said the boat was set ablaze after being struck by missiles. Local residents said the boat was due to set sail to pick up supplies from an expected flotilla reaching Jerusalem.

On 14 May, Israel shot dead at least 60 unarmed Gazans protesting at the separation fence, a move which drew international criticism. 

The total death total since the Great March of Return protests began on 30 March have topped 110, accoring to medical officials. 

The Islamist Hamas group has run Gaza since 2007. Israel, along with Egypt, have blockaded the Strip since Hamas took control of the territory. 

Two million Palestinians live in Gaza, most descendants of refugees from the nakba. They are calling for a right of return. 

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