Tensions escalated on Sunday as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that two rockets were launched from the central Gaza Strip toward southern Israel.
The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was retaliation for what it described as “crimes committed by the Zionist enemy against our people.”
Rocket Attack Targets Netivot, No Casualties Reported
According to the IDF, air raid sirens were activated in Netivot, a town located approximately 10 kilometers (six miles) from Gaza, home to around 50,000 residents.
The military confirmed that one projectile was intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, while the second landed in an open area, causing no casualties or damage.
This marks the first rocket attack on Netivot in several months, underscoring the renewed volatility in the region amid ongoing military operations.
Islamic Jihad Statement and Strategic Implications
Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, announced that it had targeted Netivot with two rockets in direct response to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The group has historically operated alongside Hamas, engaging in coordinated resistance against Israeli forces.
The timing of the attack coincides with Israel’s intensified campaign in Gaza City, where the IDF has launched a series of airstrikes aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure and securing the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Israeli Military Expands Operations in Gaza City
On Saturday, Israeli forces flattened a high-rise building in Gaza City, marking the second such strike in two days.
Witnesses and journalists from AFP reported that thousands of leaflets were dropped over western neighborhoods, urging civilians to evacuate ahead of further military action.
The operation is part of a broader campaign, reportedly named “Gideon’s Chariots 2,” aimed at capturing Gaza City and neutralizing Hamas’s command centers.
Israeli officials have stated that the war could end if Hamas releases hostages and surrenders its weapons, though Hamas has reiterated its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Humanitarian Impact and International Response
Recently, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has declared that Israel’s policies and practices constitute a genocide in Gaza under the international law, urging governments to halt arms supplies to Tel Aviv and to pursue accountability through international courts.
Strong Evidence of Genocide in Gaza
In an interview, Timothy Williams, Vice President of the association, stated that over the past two years, researchers gathered conclusive evidence proving that Israel’s actions are not simply acts of war but rather a systematic genocide targeting the Palestinian people.
According to Williams, these crimes go beyond the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and include:
- Destruction of agriculture and infrastructure.
- Blocking access to clean water.
- Targeting healthcare systems.
- Imposing deliberate starvation against Palestinians.
Continue reading: 86% of Scholars Confirm Israel Genocide in Gaza Is A Fact
