Hamas Rocket Attack Injures Three in Israel; Israeli Forces Respond with Airstrikes on Central Gaza

Synopsis

On April 7, three individuals sustained minor injuries from a Hamas rocket attack in southern Israel, prompting the Israeli military to target central Gaza with airstrikes. The violence escalated following accusations of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces confirmed multiple strikes in response, with significant casualties reported in Gaza from recent operations.

Key Takeaways

Three injuries reported from Hamas rocket attack.
Israeli military retaliated with airstrikes in Gaza.
Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
Israeli air defenses intercepted most incoming rockets.
Ongoing tensions have led to significant casualties in Gaza.

Jerusalem, April 7 (NationPress) Three individuals experienced minor injuries due to a rocket strike on southern Israel orchestrated by Hamas, which led the Israeli military to execute several airstrikes in central Gaza later that day, as reported by both Israeli and Palestinian sources.

Earlier on Sunday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military faction of Hamas, issued a brief statement indicating that they had targeted Ashdod in southern Israel with a barrage of rockets, citing Israeli "massacres" against Palestinian civilians as their motive, according to Xinhua news agency.

The spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, confirmed that a total of 10 rockets were launched from Gaza, with the majority successfully intercepted.

In response to the assault, air raid sirens were activated across several cities, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Yavne, along with other nearby communities.

Subsequently, reports from Israel's state-owned Kan TV News indicated that one of the rockets landed in central Ashkelon, resulting in the three reported injuries.

Kan TV News further revealed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes targeting the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, following instructions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a "tough" response against Hamas.

The IDF confirmed the airstrike in a statement, indicating that they targeted the rocket launch sites in Gaza from which the attacks on Israeli territory originated.

Meanwhile, local witnesses in Gaza reported to Xinhua that the Israeli forces launched multiple airstrikes on Sunday evening, targeting various locations across Deir al-Balah, with loud explosions resonating throughout the area.

Eyewitnesses observed Israeli warplanes conducting successive strikes over Gaza, while reconnaissance aircraft executed extensive overflights in the region.

As of now, health authorities in Gaza have not reported any injuries.

Israel resumed extensive air and ground operations in Gaza on March 18. As per Gaza health authorities, these renewed strikes have resulted in the deaths of 1,335 Palestinians and left 3,297 others wounded as of Sunday.