Two rockets fired Saturday evening from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza toward the Jerusalem area were successfully intercepted by Israeli Air Force defense systems, the IDF.
The launch occurred as IDF troops from the Nahal Brigade conducted an operation in Beit Hanoun, targeting terrorists and terror infrastructure based on intelligence reports.
Gaza rockets intercepted over Bethlehem and Rishon Lezion
(Video: Kobi Koankes)
The rockets were fired from a location approximately 300 meters from IDF forces. Following the rocket fire, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning to Beit Hanoun residents via social media.
"This area has been repeatedly warned in the past," Adraee wrote. "The IDF is operating there with force. You must evacuate immediately."
The IDF said that before ground forces entered, the air force and artillery units struck multiple Hamas targets, including terrorist gathering points and terror infrastructure. Evacuation corridors were opened to allow civilians to leave the conflict zone safely.
Sirens were triggered around 4:15 p.m. in dozens of localities across the Jerusalem, Lachish and Shephelah regions, including Tzova, Kiryat Anavim, Neve Ilan, Tzur Hadassah, Latrun, Beit Shemesh and Beitar Illit.
The IDF estimates Hamas still possesses long-range rockets capable of reaching Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Beit Hanoun, located near the Israeli city of Sderot, has been a frequent site for rocket storage and launches. Despite repeated military operations in the area, long-range rockets continue to be uncovered.
The IDF described Saturday’s rocket fire as a “clearance sale” in response to the ground operation launched overnight.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian reported unusual IDF activity at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya. The IDF said that the hospital has been used by Hamas operatives. The Gaza Health Ministry, however, accused Israeli forces of setting fires in hospital buildings, a claim amplified by international media. The IDF responded, saying a fire was observed in one building, but the cause remains unknown.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 hospital staff members and 65 patients were severely injured during the incident. Earlier reports from Gaza claimed hundreds of detainees held at the hospital were released, including the hospital's director, Dr. Hossam Abu-Safieh.
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Reports from Gaza also stated that Talat Judeh, the police chief at the Shati refugee camp, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.
Shortly earlier, air raid sirens sounded in the Gaza border communities of Nir Am and Mefalsim, but the military ruled it to be a false alarm.
The IDF confirmed the alerts and said that "details are under investigation." No immediate reports of injuries or damage were available as authorities assessed the situation.