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Israel launches attacks on Gaza, intercepts three rockets
The Israeli military said it has begun attacking Hamas “targets and launchers” throughout the Gaza Strip and that it has intercepted three rockets launched from the enclave. A fourth fell in an open area, it said.
The latest attacks come as Israel marks the anniversary of Hamas’s deadly attacks on October 7.
Earlier, the Israeli military said it had intercepted two suspicious aerial targets that were “launched from the east”. The launches set off sirens in central Israel.
Hamas claims rocket attacks; Israel says it foiled larger barrage
The Qassam Brigades issued a statement claiming responsibility for a rocket attack on southern Israel as the Israeli military announced foiling what it said was a plot by Hamas to launch more projectiles at the country.
The Qassam Brigades said it launched a number of Radium rockets at Israeli military positions at Al-Awdah (known as Sufa to Israelis), Holit and Karem Abu Salem (known as Kerem Shalom to Israelis), as well as Israeli troops at the Rafah border crossing.
The Israeli military meanwhile said on X that it “thwarted an immediate threat, following early preparations and the identification of an intention by [Hamas] to fire at Israel”. The military said its fighter jets bombed Hamas’s launchers and tunnels in Gaza.
The Times of Israel, citing the Israeli military, added that the Israeli attacks took place shortly before 6:30am (03:30 GMT), the moment Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel a year ago.
Qassam Brigades claims rocket attack on Tel Aviv
The armed wing of Hamas says it bombarded the central Israeli city with a barrage of Maqadmeh M-90 rockets, according to a statement on Telegram.
The group said the attack was part of “the ongoing battle of attrition” and in response to the Israeli military’s “massacres against civilians and the deliberate displacement of our people”.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army said aerial warning alerts were activated in the region.
Five rockets launched on central Israel from Gaza: Army
The attack originated from the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, a brief statement by the Israeli military says. Further details of the attack are still under investigation. The statement advised citizens to “continue to obey the directives of the Home Front Command”.
Two wounded in rocket attack on central Israel: Medics
We are receiving updates on the rocket attack by Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing. The Magen David Adom ambulance service in Israel said two women were hit and lightly injured by shrapnel. They are being hospitalised.
The Israeli army said earlier five rockets were launched towards Tel Aviv from Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Following the Red Alert sirens in central Israel
In the Sdot Dan region, MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating 2 female casualties in mild condition with shrapnel injuries and evacuating them to hospital.
Other locations being searched pic.twitter.com/rXELJpI5C5
— Magen David Adom (@Mdais) October 7, 2024
Hamas rocket attack on Tel Aviv shows ‘military’ solution has failed
The fact that Qassam Brigades fired rockets at Tel Aviv today is hugely significant. Of course, the rockets were intercepted, but the group’s ability a year on to still fire rockets puts a big question mark on Israel’s military strategy.
It also highlights that there is simply no end to this through military means alone – a political solution is needed. However, the Israeli government has maintained it’s not negotiating a ceasefire.
We need to remember, one year on, the Israeli military has destroyed nearly the entire infrastructure of Gaza, killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians and shattered the fabric of society. It has imposed a tighter blockade and fragmented the territory.
So, although a symbolic message from Qassam, it shows the group remains capable one year later.
41,909 Palestinians killed in Israel’s war on Gaza
Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 41,909 Palestinians and wounded 97,303 since October 7, 2023, the Health Ministry says.
The toll includes 39 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry.
The casualty figures are believed to be far higher with thousands of bodies buried in the debris of collapsed buildings and unrecoverable during the Israeli onslaught.
