On Sunday, Hamas announced the launch of missiles targeting Tel Aviv, triggering air raid sirens in the Israeli city for the first time in four months. This action was a demonstration of military capability amidst ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza.
According to the Israeli military, eight projectiles were detected originating from Rafah, situated at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip. Despite a ruling from the United Nations’ top court demanding an end to attacks on Rafah, Israeli operations continued in the area.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported that several of the incoming missiles were intercepted. Israeli emergency services confirmed that no casualties had been reported following the attack.
Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the missile launch on their Telegram channel, describing it as a retaliation for what they termed “Zionist massacres against civilians.”
Additionally, Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV broadcasted that the rockets were fired from within the Gaza Strip. Rafah, the launch site, is approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Tel Aviv.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions and conflict in the region, reflecting the fragile and volatile situation between Israel and Gaza.
Israel has stated its intent to eliminate Hamas fighters entrenched in Rafah and to rescue hostages believed to be held in the area. However, this military assault has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis for civilians and sparked significant international condemnation.
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On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least five Palestinians in Rafah, as reported by local medical services. Israeli tanks have been observed maneuvering around the periphery of the city, particularly near the primary southern crossing point into Egypt, but they have not yet launched a full-scale incursion into Rafah.
Following the missile attack on Tel Aviv, Israel’s hardline public security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, who is not a member of the war cabinet, publicly called for intensified military action against Rafah.
On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he urged the army to strike Rafah with full force. The Gaza health ministry reports that nearly 36,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing Israeli offensive.
This military operation was initiated by Israel in response to a deadly attack by Hamas-led militants on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of more than 250 hostages.
Meanwhile, the conflict persists in the northern Gaza area of Jabaliya, a densely populated region that has witnessed intense combat over the past weeks.
During a recent raid, Israeli forces uncovered a weapons storage facility within a school, containing numerous rocket components and other arms. Contrary to claims by Hamas, the Israeli military has denied that Palestinian fighters have captured an Israeli soldier.
The situation remains dire, with continuous fighting and civilian casualties drawing global attention and calls for an urgent resolution to the conflict.