Sirens sounded in Ashkelon and border communities in southern Israel Tuesday evening following rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. No injuries or damage were reported in Ashkelon, where at least one rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said included a salvo aimed at both Ashdod and Ashkelon.
According to IDF, around 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. local time, rockets were launched from Gaza toward Israel. The first round targeted Ashkelon, prompting warning sirens across the city. No impact sites were identified, and Magen David Adom emergency services received no reports of injuries. One rocket was confirmed intercepted.
Around 9:30 p.m., additional alerts were activated in the Gaza border communities of Netiv HaAsara and Zikim due to incoming rocket fire. The IDF said three launches were detected from northern Gaza but failed to cross into Israeli territory, landing within the Strip. No injuries or damage were reported.
Ashkelon resident: "The explosions never stop"
Hagit Bar Ilan, a resident of Ashkelon, told Israel Hayom: "Lately, everyone in the city hears the constant explosions from the fighting in Gaza, day and night. It's getting more intense, with heavy, frightening bombings. I was driving back from shopping when the siren started. I ran as fast as I could to my building, even though there's no point, it's not reinforced. I saw passengers jumping off a bus and running toward my building, but again, it's not protected."
Ashkelon Municipality later stated: "Following the alert heard in the city, one rocket fired toward Ashkelon was intercepted. No unusual incidents reported." The IDF added: "In response to alerts in the Lachish region, the Air Force intercepted one launch that crossed from northern Gaza into Israeli territory. No injuries were reported."
Following the attacks, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, issued a warning to residents of northern Gaza, naming specific neighborhoods: "To all those in the northern Gaza Strip - Ghabin, Al-Shim'aa, Fadous, Al-Manshiya, Sheikh Zayed, Al-Salatin, Al-Karama, Beit Lahia Project, Al-Zahra, Tel al-Za'atar, Al-Nour, Abd al-Rahman, Al-Nahda and the Jabaliya refugee camp: this is a pre-strike warning. The IDF will strike forcefully any area from which rockets are launched. Responsibility for evacuating civilians and their suffering lies with the terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas. For your safety, move south immediately."
100 humanitarian aid trucks enter Gaza
Despite the rocket fire, Israel allowed 100 humanitarian aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip Tuesday. The delivery, coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups, included flour, baby formula, and medical supplies. The transfer was approved following IDF recommendations and directives from the political echelon and carried out via the Kerem Shalom crossing. All contents were subjected to rigorous security inspections by the Defense Ministry's Land Crossings Authority.
The IDF emphasized it would continue facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza while making every effort to ensure the supplies do not reach the Hamas terrorist organization.
