In another escalation of the ongoing conflict in the region, the radical Palestinian movement Hamas has once again launched rocket attacks on the Israeli city of Ashkelon. The group’s representatives took to social media to claim responsibility for the attack.
According to Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades targeted the occupied city of Ashkelon as a response to the aggression against innocent civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attempted rocket strikes on Ashkelon, noting that warning sirens were sounded not only in the city but also in the surrounding areas of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF has been conducting retaliatory strikes, which are publicly reported on a daily basis. According to military sources, these strikes target military assets and infrastructure belonging to the Hamas militants in Gaza. Many of these strikes have also targeted underground tunnels where Hamas members are believed to be hiding. In the past 24 hours alone, the IDF has struck 320 targets.
Simultaneously, the Israeli army continues its preparations for a potential ground operation. Earlier, the IDF stated that they may reconsider the need for such an operation if Hamas releases the hostages it is holding.
