The ruling group in war-torn Gaza, Hamas, has launched a series of rocket attacks on Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in retaliation for Israel’s recent air and ground offensives, which have led to increased civilian casualties.
Israeli forces have intensified their ground operations in Gaza, closing key north-south routes. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency, Israeli attacks over the past two days have killed more than 974 Palestinians, including over 190 children. An additional 100 Palestinians were reported dead on Thursday morning.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, stated that the rocket attacks on Tel Aviv were in response to Israel’s “massacre” of Gaza’s civilians. However, the Israeli military reported that one projectile was intercepted, while two others landed in open areas without causing casualties.
After weeks of relative calm following the ceasefire agreement on January 19, Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday morning. The renewed offensive during the holy month of Ramadan has sparked outrage in the Muslim world. The ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled, leading to further escalation.
A resident of Gaza, Mohammad Hussein, called on the international community to take action, stating, “We need a ceasefire. We are defenseless Palestinians.”
On Thursday, the Israeli military blocked vehicle movement between northern and southern Gaza. Reports from AFP indicate that many Palestinians were seen fleeing south along Salah al-Din Road near the Nuseirat refugee camp.