Israel launches military drills near Gaza Strip
The Israeli regime has launched military drills near the besieged Gaza Strip months after Tel Aviv unleashed a devastating war against the coastal enclave.
According to a statement by the Israeli military, the one-day maneuvers, which involve land and air forces, will continue until Sunday night.
The drills are "part of a range of activities that take place throughout the year to improve operational readiness in Gaza," the statement said.
Israel attacked the Palestinian territory in early July 2014 and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion of Gaza. The war ended in late August that year. Nearly 2,200 Palestinians lost their lives and some 11,000 were injured in the attacks. Gaza Health officials say the victims included 578 children and nearly 260 women.
According to Israeli human rights group, B'Tselem, an investigation of only 70 Israeli strikes on Gaza last summer showed that more than 70 percent of the 606 Palestinians killed in those strikes were minors, women or elderly.
Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007. The blockade, which has cut off the territory from the outside world, has led to an economic and humanitarian crisis in the densely-populated enclave.
Israel not only defies international calls to lift the brutal siege, but also does not allow medication or construction materials into Gaza.
IA/KA/SS
Israeli settlers – protected by military – intrude into Al-Aqsa Mosque
200 days of genocide: Palestinian resistance prevails over occupation
'Sinwar still supervising Gaza war; Israel deliberately delaying talks on captives'
VIDEO | From shadow to spotlight
Iran, Pakistan urge UNSC to hold Israel accountable for atrocities
VIDEO | Negotiations stalled
Israeli settlers – protected by military – intrude into Al-Aqsa Mosque
VIDEO | Smirking at lies
200 days of genocide: Palestinian resistance prevails over occupation
Ukraine launches drone strikes on Russia's energy sites
VIDEO | Anti-US sentiments grow in Iraq as US military presence unresolved
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
