TEL AVIV: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus today said that at least 1,600 rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the escalation and around 400 of them fell inside the Palestinian enclave itself. He said that six Israeli civilians and one serviceman had been killed since the beginning of the escalation

On the other hand, Israel’s military has attacked around 600 targets in the Gaza Strip, including rocket production and storage facilities Conricus specified at a briefing.

On the other hand, Israel’s military has attacked around 600 targets in the Gaza Strip, including rocket production and storage facilities Conricus specified at a briefing.

A tunnel was also targeted that Conricus said was used partially to hide fighters and was built under a school in a populated area.

According to the military spokesperson, the effectiveness of Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system is estimated at around 90 per cent although he did not give concrete answers on how much arsenal the Palestinian militants have, however, he said that they had a very large amount and still have a considerable quantity left.

Israel blames Islamist Hamas, the de facto rulers of the Gaza Strip, for any attacks from Gaza. The group is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and the European Union.

During the ongoing attacks overnight, there was a direct hit on the town of Petah Tikva near Tel Aviv and five people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, a police spokesman said.

The Israeli military said its fighter jets struck Hamas’ main bank, one of its naval force squads and counter-intelligence infrastructure overnight.

The airstrikes and rocket attacks followed violent clashes in recent days at the Jerusalem holy site known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims.

Meanwhile, as the entire world is busy fighting the deadly corona pandemic the international community has called for a halt to the fighting.

US President Joe Biden condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other groups in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and conveyed support for 'Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people while protecting civilians.'

Later, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which does not include Hamas and emphasized the need to de-escalate tension.