){kind=link}
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
At least ten individuals sustained injuries, with one in critical condition, after Hamas militants launched ten rockets towards the Kerem Shalom area along the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday afternoon.
The attack prompted the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the main entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF confirmed that several rockets were fired from close proximity to the Rafah humanitarian crossing, an area still unoccupied by IDF soldiers since the October 27 invasion of Gaza.
Although there were some generic intelligence warnings prior to the attack, the real-time rocket alert system provided limited time for response.
Responding swiftly, the IDF increased airstrikes on Hamas command centers and rocket launch sites in the Rafah area, targeting underground attack platforms believed to have been used in the assault.
Palestinian media reported a series of Israeli airstrikes in Rafah shortly after the rocket attack. Hamas claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that their Al-Qassam Brigades utilized 114 mm short-range “Rajoum” rockets in the attack.
The group’s actions were condemned by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which accused Hamas of intentionally obstructing the delivery of aid to Gaza by targeting the Kerem Shalom area.
In addition to injuries sustained by civilians, a home in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom suffered damage from one of the rockets. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the impact.
President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, emphasizing Hamas’s disregard for humanitarian concerns and calling for international action to address the situation in Gaza.
The incident raises concerns about the ongoing hostage negotiations and Israeli plans regarding the potential invasion of Rafah. It remains uncertain whether the attack will expedite Israeli military action or if efforts for a ceasefire will continue.
Questions linger about the preparedness of IDF soldiers, particularly near humanitarian aid centers, for potential future rocket attacks by Hamas. Additionally, the impact of the incident on Israeli civilians returning to the Kerem Shalom area in July remains uncertain, with potential delays looming.
As tensions escalate in the region, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the conflict that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all civilians caught in the crossfire.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members