Rockets Fired at Tel Aviv, Central Israeli Cities; Hamas Commandos Killed in Failed Base Attack
The Palestinian terror organization Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for firing rockets at Israel’s central region in recent hours. The launch of the rockets, which were intercepted in the air by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, marks the latest escalation after nearly 100 rockets were fired at Israel from Palestinian territories in the past few days.
Ynet: Rocket Interception over Tel Aviv
Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip reached the densely populated central Israel area on Tuesday evening when rockets fired at Tel Aviv and Gedera were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, as the IDF’s Operation Protective Edge was underway.
Over 70 rockets fell across an increasing number of communities across Israel during the day. Code Red rocket alerts sounded in Tel Aviv, Givatayim, Gedera, Be’er Sheva, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ofakim, Merhavim, Ramat HaNegev and Eshkol on Tuesday. The Iron Dome missile defense system was in operation in various locations, intercepting at least two rockets over Be’er Sheva, and more fired at the coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. It is also believed that at least one rocket was intercepted over Netivot
Magen David Adom paramedics treated nine people Tuesday in wake of the ongoing rocket fire. One person was lightly hurt from shrapnel to his foot, and another injured himself running to a shelter. Seven other people were treated for anxiety.
Earlier today, a Hamas Commando team was killed after attempting to infiltrate and assault an IDF military base via the sea:
JPost: IDF Halts Terror Attack from the Sea
IDF units intercepted a Hamas commando terrorist unit seeking to infiltrate Israel from the sea at Zikim beach on Tuesday.
The IDF Spokesman reported that soldiers killed four terrorists.
A senior security official said an IDF force was dispatched to Zikim beach after the military detected suspicious movements in the area.
The unit engaged the terrorists, and shot and struck a number of them.
One soldier was lightly injured in the exchange of fire.
Civilian eye witnesses told Channel 2 that soldiers were seen running toward the beach from the Zikim army base and firing their weapons, while a boat approached the beach firing at the beach.