April 2023 Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel
 | This article may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. (September 2023) |
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| Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel |
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Following clashes at Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, many rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, Southern Lebanon, and Syria by Palestinian militants. This led to the bombing of these areas by the IDF.
Background[edit]
Since 2001, Palestinian groups have frequently fired rockets and mortars into Israel proper, targeting mostly civilians and triggering retaliatory strikes.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Most rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah launched a large amount of rockets from Lebanon to Israel.[7] Since the end of the war, attacks from Lebanon have been less common than attacks from Gaza.
Violence at Al-Aqsa[edit]
There were increased tensions at Temple Mount/Al Aqsa between Muslims and Jews during April 2023 as there was an overlap between the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Passover.This led to worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque to barricade themselves inside on 5 April.[8] Israeli police stormed the Mosque to dislodge the "law-breaking youths and masked agitators". Armed worshippers responded with stones and fireworks.[9] Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas.[10] 50 people were injured[8] and 350 were arrested.[9]
The attacks were condemned across the Arab world. Hamas slammed the raid and called on West Bank Palestinians to defend Al Aqsa.[11]
Attacks[edit]
From Gaza[edit]
On day of the Al-Aqsa Violence, the IDF said 12 rockets were fired towards Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.[citation needed]
Earlier in the day, 10 rockets were fired. 5 fell in open fields. One fell on a factory in Sderot, leaving no casualties.[citation needed]
Two were reported to be fired later that day.[12]
From Lebanon[edit]
On 6 April 2023, Israel claimed that more than 34 rockets had been fired from Lebanon, with 25 intercepted and a minimum 4 landing in Israel. This was the largest escalation of violence at the Israel-Lebanon border since 2006.
An Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee blamed Hamas for the incident. He also said that possible Iranian involvement in the attacks was being investigated.[13]
The attacks came as the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs met in Beirut.[14][15] Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said that Hezbollah and Lebanon also shared some responsibility[16]
From Syria[edit]
The Israeli military said that two salvoes of rocket fire between 9–10 April towards the occupied Golan Heights. 3 rockets were launched in the first, one hit southern Golan. In the second, 2 rockets were fires, and one was intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system.[citation needed]
It was reported that the Liwa al-Quds, a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime (not to be confused with the Al-Quds Brigades), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IDF said Syria was responsible for such attacks.[17]
Israeli reaction[edit]
In response to the attacks, Israel carried out strikes towards the source of the rockets. This hit both civilian and military targets.
Gaza[edit]
An IDF spokesman said that they had targeted 10 sites in Gaza, which included production sites, research and development sites, and tunnel infrastructure. The IDF said that it had carried out strikes at Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that a children's hospital was damaged, causing distress among the young patients.[18]
Lebanon[edit]
Strikes in Lebanon took place south of Tyre. Early on 7 April, explosions were reported around the Rashideh refugee camp, 5 km from Tyre. The village of Al-Qulaila was also reported to be hit by the strikes, and pictures showed a small bridge was destroyed.[19]
Syria[edit]
Israel said that a drone had hit the rocket launchers in Syria. Israeli warplanes also struck targets belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces. The Syrian military said that it had intercepted some missiles, but damage did occur.[17]
See also[edit]
- 2023 Al Aqsa Clashes: Violent confrontations at Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem which caused the rocket attacks
- May 2023 Gaza Israel Clashes: Fighting between Palestinian armed groups and Israel between 9–13 May 2023
- October 2023 Hamas Attack on Israel: Codenamed "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" by Palestinian groups involved. Start of the 2023 Gaza-Israel War.
References[edit]
- ^ "Operation Protective Edge Numbers". IDF official blog. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.
- ^ Hadad, Shmulik (10 January 2010). "4 mortar shells fired at Israel; none injured". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "IDF Confirms Gaza Militants Fired Phosphorous Bombs at Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Curiel, Ilana; Zitun, Yoav (3 June 2015). "At least two rockets fired from Gaza, falling in Sdot Negev". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza". The Independent. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "11 Days, 4,340 Rockets and 261 Dead: The Israel-Gaza Fighting in Numbers". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Hizballah's Attack on Israel". Prime Minister's Office of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007.
- ^ a b "Al-Aqsa mosque: Violence as Israeli police raid Jerusalem holy site". BBC News. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Global condemnation after Israeli riot police attack worshippers at Al-Aqsa mosque". France 24. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Israeli riot police fire stun grenades and tear gas inside Al Aqsa mosque in clashes with Palestinian worshippers". Sky News. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa, attack worshippers during Ramadan". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Hauser, Abeer Salman,Mohammed Tawfeeq,Jennifer (5 April 2023). "Israeli police storm al-Aqsa mosque for the second time on Wednesday". CNN. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Israel says more than 30 rockets fired from southern Lebanon". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Hezbollah and Hamas chiefs meet in Beirut: Statement". Al Arabiya English. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "Hezbollah, Hamas leaders meet in Lebanon amid Al Aqsa raids". Hezbollah, Hamas leaders meet in Lebanon amid Al Aqsa raids. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Israel stages rare strikes in Lebanon, also hits Gaza Strip". AP NEWS. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Israel hits multiple targets in Syria after rockets fired into Golan Heights". BBC News. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Alberti, Richard Allen Greene,Hadas Gold,Mostafa Salem,Tamara Qiblawi,Mia (6 April 2023). "Attacks in West Bank, Tel Aviv as tensions remain high following Israeli strikes". CNN. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza after major rocket attack". BBC News. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.