2 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel earlier tonight.In response, our forces just struck Hamas underground infrastructure & military posts in Gaza. The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment & remains prepared to operate against any terror activity.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2020
Residents in central Israel reported hearing large explosions and videos circulating on social media from residents of Holon, Bat Yam and Tel Aviv’s Yad Eliyahu neighborhood showed the rocket fire.
There were no reports of damage or injuries.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the price of further attacks would be harsh."This morning, the IDF attacked Hamas infrastructure and targets in the Gaza Strip. We will not accept any attacks against the State of Israel and the citizens of Israel,” he said during the opening of the cabinet meeting.“I warn the terror organizations in Gaza, even during the Corona crisis - do not test us. I never list our operational plans, but I’m warning them - the price of continued aggression will be heavy, very heavy."Though no group took responsibility for the rocket fire, Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned that Israel holds Hamas responsible."It was night was a restless night in the south of the country, and there is one person responsible for it - Hamas,” Gantz said during a ceremony marking Operation Kadesh. “If Hamas does not stand the test of peace-the results will be dire first of all for its leadership and for the residents of the Gaza Strip.”“I would like to tell the residents of the south that we are working in several directions, both operational and in other ways, in order to bring about long-term peace,” he continued, adding that “we will continue our response to the violation of our sovereignty, beyond what we have done, in a time, place and manner that will serve our long-term needs, of the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel, in the south of the country.”בהמשך לדיווחים זוהו שני שיגורים משטח רצועת עזה לשטח ישראל. שיגור אחד אשר לא הפעיל התרעה במרחב העיר אשדוד בהיעדר צורך ושיגור נוסף שבעקבותיו הופעלו התרעות בעיר אשדוד ובמרחב השפלה. לוחמי ההגנה האווירית שיגרו מיירטים לעבר המטרות בהתאם למדיניות
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 15, 2020
The rockets came in the wake of the first anniversary of the targeted killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Bahaa Abu al-Ata.The IDF had deployed Iron Dome missile-defense batteries throughout the South over concerns that the group might fire rockets toward Israel.
Following the targeted assassination, the group fired over 400 rockets and mortars towards southern and central Israel in less than 50 hours.The rocket fire came as a thunderstorm battered the area. The IDF was reported to be looking into the possibility that lightning might have caused them to be fired.
The rockets might have been fired after rainwater caused a short circuit, the Palestinian Al-Quds newspaper reported. Another Hamas source said that the rocket fire could have been due to a malfunction caused by lightning, adding that there was no intention to escalate the violence.