Why did Israel strike both Gaza and Syria during the escalation?

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Israel's Dual Strikes in Gaza and Syria During Recent Escalation

Israel launched air strikes in both Gaza and Syria as part of its response to rocket fire from Gaza militants, escalating hostilities over two days. The strikes targeted sites associated with the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, aiming to restore quiet along the border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would continue to strike until quiet was restored, indicating a firm stance against ongoing attacks.
Response to Rocket Barrages

The immediate trigger for Israel's actions was a series of rocket attacks launched by Islamic Jihad towards Israeli communities near the Gaza border. Following an initial announcement by Islamic Jihad to halt its attacks, the group resumed firing rockets, citing continued Israeli air strikes. This tit-for-tat exchange, described by Islamic Jihad as "bombardment for bombardment," led to Israel's retaliatory measures.
Targeting Islamic Jihad Infrastructure

Israel's military stated that its air strikes in Gaza hit an Islamic Jihad training and weapons storage facility, along with other underground infrastructure. Concurrently, Israeli warplanes struck what the military identified as "a hub of Islamic Jihad's activity in Syria" near Damascus. These actions suggest a strategy to disrupt the group's operational capabilities and retaliate against attacks originating from Gaza.
Preceding Incident and Public Outcry

The broader escalation began when Israeli troops killed an Islamic Jihad member attempting to plant explosives near the Gaza border fence. Images circulated on social media depicting the militant's body being handled by an Israeli bulldozer, which reportedly caused significant outrage in Gaza and fueled calls for retaliation. This incident served as a direct precursor to the subsequent rocket fire and Israel's broader military response.

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Why did Israel strike both Gaza and Syria during the escalation?

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