Feature: Gazans recall night of Israeli strikes amid escalating tensions

A Palestinian man checks damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Magdy Abu Neama became homeless after his two-storey house in the Gaza Strip was severely damaged in the shock waves after Israeli warplanes hit a nearby target late Thursday night.

"I heard heavy explosions that shook my house. Before I could realize what was going on, windows and walls were shattered," said Abu Neama, a father of four.

After the explosions, Neama hurried to evacuate his wife and children from the house, but found the outer door was blocked by the debris. About 10 minutes later, his neighbor helped the family to escape from the house.

Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel."

After the strikes, Safaa al-Ashi and her four children could not sleep as they feared for an escalation of conflicts in Gaza.

"After the explosions, my kids started to scream and I could barely calm them down," the 34-year-old Gazan said, adding she remained doubtful whether peace could be restored soon as "Israeli reconnaissance planes are still flying in the sky all the time."

Although no casualties have been reported so far in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli attacks have seriously damaged residential facilities near the targets, anonymous Palestinian security sources told Xinhua.

In the Mohammed al-Durra Children's Hospital, which is located near Neama's house, the medical staff, pediatric patients, and their companions were in a panic after the Israeli attacks, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.

The ministry denounced the Israeli strikes as clear violations of international humanitarian laws and the Geneva Convention, which specifically stipulated the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

Thursday's escalation of conflicts followed two consecutive days of Israeli raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, a flashpoint holy site in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli police fired gas canisters and stun grenades at Palestinian worshipers.

The Israeli raids came during a sensitive time when Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadan with prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while Jews were commemorating the Passover holiday.

After a day of cross-border conflict, fighting between Israel and militants in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip appeared to have subsided on Friday.

Friday's Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound ended without major conflicts. 

Palestinians check damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian man checks damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians check damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians check damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians check damage in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on April 7, 2023. Israel launched a barrage of attacks on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip late Thursday night, in response to what it said "earlier rocket attacks from the two areas on several parts of Israel." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)