In a concerning turn of events, dozens of rockets have been launched from the blockaded Gaza Strip towards Israel, triggering air raid sirens as far away as the greater Tel Aviv area. The rocket barrage commenced at 06:30 am local time on Saturday from multiple locations in Gaza and persisted for nearly half an hour, as reported by the Agence France-Presse news agency.
Residents in Tel Aviv, situated approximately 70 km (40 miles) north of Gaza, were startled by the blaring sirens, underscoring the range and intensity of the rocket attacks. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue agency confirmed that a 70-year-old woman was critically injured when a rocket struck a building in southern Israel. Additionally, a 20-year-old man sustained moderate injuries from rocket shrapnel.
Gaza residents reported hearing armed clashes along the separation fence with Israel near the southern town of Khan Younis. Witnesses observed significant movement of armed Palestinian fighters, though Israel’s military has not provided further details.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that he would convene with top security officials in the coming hours to address the escalating situation. While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility from Hamas, the dominant armed movement in Gaza, or the smaller Islamic Jihad movement, both known for past conflicts with Israel, the Israeli military has yet to comment officially.
The rocket launches follow weeks of rising tensions along Israel’s volatile border with Gaza and clashes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Israeli military has reportedly killed around 200 Palestinians this year. Palestinian attacks on Israelis have claimed the lives of approximately 30 people this year, intensifying concerns about the potential for broader hostilities.
