Hamas fires rockets at Israel in response to Gaza airstrikes

Palestinian militant group, Hamas launched rockets into southern Israel on Sunday.

The group said the attack was in retaliation for what it described as Israeli “massacres” of civilians in Gaza.

The Israeli military reported that around 10 rockets were fired. Most were intercepted, but one rocket reportedly struck the southern city of Ashkelon, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

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Emergency services confirmed that one person sustained shrapnel injuries. Videos from the scene showed broken car windows and debris scattered across the street.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu called for a powerful counterattack.

“The prime minister instructed to deliver a strong response and approved the continuation of the intensified IDF operations in Gaza against Hamas,” his office stated.

The statement added that Netanyahu spoke with Defence Minister Israel Katz while flying to Washington.

Soon after, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for residents in the Deir el-Balah area of central Gaza. This suggested the rockets may have been launched from that region.

Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, gave a warning on X.

“To all residents of the Gaza Strip located in the Deir el-Balah area… this is a final and urgent warning before the attack.

“We will launch a severe strike on any area from which rockets are fired… For your safety, you must immediately move south to the known shelters in the Mawasi area,” he said.

(AFP/Reuters)