An Israeli Air Force F-15 fighter jet. © Amir Cohen / Reuters
Early on July 16, four rockets were launched from the Palestinian Gaza Strip towards the nearby Israeli settlement of Ashkelon.
The rockets were launched in two waves. At least one of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. The other three landed in empty areas without causing any causalities or material losses.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded to the first wave by targeting what he said was “one of the most significant rocket production sites” of the Hamas Movement in Gaza. The IDF claimed that the strike will “significantly impede Hamas’ force-building capabilities”.
Following the second wave of rockets, IDF fighter jets struck an additional weapons manufacturing site of Hamas in the enclave.
The Israeli strikes resulted in significant material losses. Nevertheless, no casualties were reported by Palestinian news sources.
The rocket attack came just a few hours after US President Joe Biden left Israel to Saudi Arabia. Biden has been working to normalize relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia has already opened its skies to flights from and to Israel. In return, Israel approved a deal that would cede control of two strategic Red Sea islands from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.
Palestinian factions in Gaza likely fired the rockets to protest against Biden’s visit and his efforts to broker and agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Around two years ago, Hamas launched a salvo of 13 rockets from Gaza at nearby Israeli settlements as Israel was signing peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain.
