Israeli Military Closes Gaza Perimeter as Settlers Plan March and Iran Strikes U.S. Targets

The Israeli military declared the entire Gaza periphery a closed military area effective at 8 a.m. on July 19 and lasting until 8 a.m. Monday. The zone runs from Yad Mordechai in the north to Route 232 in the east and Kerem Shalom in the south.

A military source said the measure responded directly to the right-wing Nahala settler group's announced plan to enter the Gaza Strip illegally and stage a large march in support of re-establishing Israeli settlements inside the enclave. U.S. forces completed an eighth consecutive night of attacks on Iran, striking coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites.

Iranian state media reported that retaliation overnight hit Qeshm Island and cities in Hormozgan and Khuzestan provinces, including Hajiabad, Shadegan and Sirik. Fighter jet sounds were heard over Kish Island, though no explosions were reported there. Kuwait's General Staff stated its air defenses were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks launched after Iranian aggression.

The military added that any explosions heard resulted from those interception efforts. Iran's army separately claimed a large-scale drone attack on an ammunition depot at Camp Buehring and air defense radar systems at Ali Al Salem Air Base. An Iranian missile struck Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti airbase, killing two U.S.

Service members and injuring four others. At least 16 U.S. service members have been killed since the United States and Israel began their campaign against Iran in February. In Gaza, an Israeli air strike hit a tent in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, killing one woman and wounding her husband.