Palestinian Islamists fired more than 70 rockets and mortar shells, over the course of the last 24 hours, out of the Gaza Strip toward Israel’s southern communities. Most of the rockets and mortar-shells that were directed at populated areas were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, yet one mortar shell and one rocket managed to penetrate Israel’s defensive shield. The mortar-shell exploded within a Kindergarten playground; while the rocket directly hit a residential home, just a meter away from the bedroom, where the homeowners were sleeping. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. That said, as a result of the heave barrage of rocket and mortar fire against Israel, three IDF soldiers and one Israeli civilian sustained light and moderate injuries.
In response to the heaviest barrage launched by Islamist militants towards Israel since the 2014 Gaza war, the Israel Air Force attacked about 25 installations belonging to the Islamist Hamas and Islamic Jihad organizations across the Palestinian enclave. “We hold Hamas responsible for all acts of aggression from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, whether it is perpetrated by this terrorist organization or another. Hamas is responsible, and we know that Hamas has the ability to control the level of violence. Violence will be met with the appropriate response and quiet will be met with the appropriate response. The IDF has no interest to escalate the situation, but we stand ready to defend ourselves as needed against a wide range of threats that we have faced today,” IDF Spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.
Among others, Israeli fighter-jets targeted “weapons-warehouses and workshops for producing rockets and rocket motors, terror bases and training camps.” Furthermore, The IDF said it destroyed an underground-tunnel that was dug by Palestinian Islamists from Gaza into Egypt, and from there into Israeli territory. This was the tenth attack tunnel destroyed by Israel’s military in the last three months.
Meanwhile, the deputy leader of the Islamist Hamas organization, Khalil al-Hayya, released a statement, claiming a ceasefire was reached with Israel, through the mediation of a number of parties. The deputy leader of the internationally recognized terror group warned, however, that his Islamist organization is “committed to the understandings as long as Israel complies, as well.” The announcement of a ceasefire effectively brought about several hours of quiet in southern Israel, yet Israeli security cabinet ministers rejected the Palestinian claims of a ceasefire. Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett noted that no understandings were reached about a ceasefire, but rather, ‘Israel’s resolve against the terror organizations operating from within the Palestinian enclave brought about their decision.’ Minister Bennett emphasized that Jerusalem will “take action in keeping with Israel’s interests,” a statement echoed by Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, who stressed that while Israel did not want an escalation, the side that had started the violence had to stop it and that Israel would extract a heavy price for the fire at Israel.” Minister Katz further warned that the other side did not know what capabilities Israel had and that they would be employed if the fire continued. He stressed that this past day was the closest point to war since 2014, but neither Hamas nor Israel wanted a conflagration. The Israeli top intelligence official also revealed that the Islamic Republic of Iran was behind the escalation, which wanted to set the Gaza sector on fire.