Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims drone strike on Alon Tavor power plant in Haifa

The "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" announced it targeted a power station in the city of Haifa within the pre-1948 Palestinian territories using a drone early Thursday morning.

In a statement, the group declared, "Continuing our approach in resisting the occupation, supporting our people in Gaza, and responding to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, the Iraqi resistance targeted an occupation power station with a drone."

The group stated that the attack targeted the Alon Tavor power plant in Haifa using drones. The strike occurred on Thursday morning, 29th August 2024, according to their statement.

The group reiterated "its commitment to ongoing operations against enemy positions," expressing their solidarity with the people of Gaza and condemning the attacks on Palestinian civilians. They concluded their statement with a verse from the holy Quran: "Victory comes from Allah, for He is Almighty and Wise."

Israeli authorities have not yet confirmed the attack.

In retaliation for Israel's bombardments in Gaza, Iraqi factions aligned with Iran have claimed to have conducted multiple attacks on Israeli targets and military bases hosting United States forces in Iraq and Syria, operating under the name of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. 

The US has retaliated with airstrikes on the bases of these Iraqi factions, leading to numerous casualties. Some of the airstrikes are suspected to have been conducted by Israel.

The United States currently maintains around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of its efforts to combat the Islamic State (ISIS), which once controlled significant territory in both countries before being pushed back by local forces with international support.

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, at least 10 Palestinians were killed today in what is being described as the largest Israeli raid on the occupied territory since the Second Intifada over two decades ago. Israeli jets bombed cities in the West Bank, and ground forces moved in late on Tuesday and early Wednesday, focusing mainly on the northern areas, particularly targeting Tulkarem and Jenin.

Violent incursions also occurred in Tubas and Nablus, with at least 15 people reported wounded, according to health officials.

Since 7 October, Israel's military campaign has killed at least 40,534 Palestinians, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. The ongoing military onslaught has left much of the territory uninhabitable, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis marked by increasing levels of hunger and disease.