TEL AVIV: In the first moments of the new year, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, launched a series of rockets targeting the town of Netivot in southern Israel. The attack compelled thousands of Israelis to seek refuge in shelters.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the rockets were launched as a retaliatory measure against what Hamas described as “Israeli massacres against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.” The barrage resulted in sirens blaring across Netivot, Ma’galim, and Melilot, warning residents of incoming projectiles.

The Israeli military confirmed the launch of two rockets from the central Gaza Strip, stating that its air defense systems successfully intercepted one missile while the other landed in an uninhabited area. The attack marked the continuation of a tense period, with approximately ten rockets having been launched into southern Israel over the past week, targeting areas including the occupied city of Al-Quds and nearby settlements.

Hebrew media reports highlighted that the frequency of these attacks has stirred debate in Israel regarding the effectiveness of current military strategies. In a recent development, Channel 12 disclosed that Hamas managed to down a “Sky Rider” drone, reprogram it, and subsequently use it to attack an Israeli military assembly in the Gaza envelope settlements.

Further insights from the Hebrew website Walla, citing sources within the Israeli army’s Southern Command, suggest that Hamas is believed to possess more long- and medium-range missiles, posing potential threats to major cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Additionally, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported successful Hamas missile launches from areas near Israeli military deployment zones in the northern Gaza Strip.