Rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, 3 civilians wounded - Jerusalem Post Staff

 

by Jerusalem Post Staff

This comes after the IDF warned residents of the area to stay in secured areas following attacks from the Strip into Israel and subsequent IDF tank fire.

 

Rockets are fired from Gaza into Israel, in Gaza May 2, 2023.

(photo credit: MOHAMMED SALEM/REUTERS)

At least 25 rockets were reportedly fired from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel on Tuesday with two rockets even hitting Sderot and at least three civilians severely wounded, starting just hours after Palestinian Islamic Jihad official Khader Adnan died after a three-month-long hunger strike in Israeli custody.

The first three rockets landed in open areas near the Gaza border. The Iron Dome was not activated. Additionally, a mortar fired from the Gaza Strip fell near the border fence on Tuesday morning.

Later in the afternoon, 22 more rockets were fired, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, causing sirens to go off in Sderot, Nir Am, Sde Avraham, Erez and some other towns.

The Gaza-based Palestinian terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage, Ynet reported.

Four rockets were intercepted and 16 landed in open fields, but two struck urban areas, according to the IDF. One rocket hit a construction site in Sderot, with another hitting the yard of a home in the city, according to Army Radio. 

According to Magen David Adom and the Sderot Municipality, at least three civilians were wounded by shrapnel at the construction site. One of them, a foreign laborer in his mid-20s, was in serious condition while the other two are only in mild condition. A 49-year-old woman was also hospitalized after being lightly injured while on her way to a bomb shelter. MDA also hospitalized a person in their mid-20s who suffered from anxiety. All five have been taken to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon for treatment.

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Khader Adnan gestures as he speaks during a rally honoring him following his release, near the West Bank city of Jenin July 12, 2015. (credit: REUTERS/ABED OMAR QUSINI/FILE PHOTO)

The rocket barrage came as children were set to be picked up from school and daycare, with the schools having to shelter the children in place until it was safe for their parents to come to get them, according to instructions issued by local councils.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant both issued statements signaling the severity with which they view the ongoing series of military exchanges.

Netanyahu said that he was receiving regular updates from his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil and that he would be conducting a meeting with top defense officials later Tuesday.

Gallant met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi midday and said, "Anyone who tries to harm Israel's citizens will regret it."

"Anyone who tries to harm Israel's citizens will regret it."

Yoav Gallant

"The terrorist groups in Gaza will pay for firing rockets at the South," former defense minister and National Unity leader MK Benny Gantz said. 

Recent IDF activity in the Gaza area and warnings

This comes after the IDF warned residents of the area to stay in secured areas following attacks from the Strip into Israel and subsequent IDF tank fire. However, the IDF Home Front Command lifted this restriction hours later, but reminded everyone to stay in a bomb shelter or other secure area for at least 10 minutes after receiving an alert.

On Monday evening, the IDF announced that a scheduled exercise would be held in the area near the Gaza border from Tuesday morning until the afternoon. The exercise was canceled on Tuesday morning after the rocket fire.

The rocket fire on Tuesday morning is the first since rockets were fired from Syria toward the Golan Heights in early April. The last rocket fire from the Gaza Strip was on April 7.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel Prison Service head Katy Perry held a situation assessment after Adnan's death on Tuesday and decided to increase security in the prisons and to prevent prisoners from leaving their cells in order to prevent disturbances.

Ben-Gvir additionally instructed the prison service to inform the prisoners that if they go on hunger strike or conduct riots, their living conditions will be worsened.

Islamic Jihad warns Israel will 'pay a heavy price'

Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials had warned that Israel would “pay a heavy price” should Adnan die in custody. On Tuesday morning, the terrorist movement stated that "the criminal enemy will once again realize that its crimes will not go unanswered."

Adnan was arrested last February on charges of membership in a terror organization and incitement.

Yonah Jeremy Bob and Khaled Abu Toameh contributed to this report.

This is a developing story.

Jerusalem Post Staff

Source: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-741829

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