Overnight, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip launched eighteen rockets into Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system or fell in an open area. In response to this, the Israel Defense Forces attacked this morning in the Gaza Strip, and in response to that, another round of militant rockets was fired into the western Negev. In response, the IDF attacked again with aircraft and tank fire.
The rocket fire coming from the Gaza Strip comes after pre-planned rioting began on the Temple Mount that ultimately led to clashes between Muslim youth fortifying themselves in Al-Aqsa with fireworks, rocks, and Molotov cocktails and the Israeli security forces that came to dispatch them. One of the Gaza rockets from Gaza hit the Strauss factory in Sderot, thankfully resulting in no casualties.
Watch:
β Adam Albilya - ΧΧΧ ΧΧΧΧΧΧΧ (@AdamAlbilya) April 5, 2023
One of the rockets launched from Gaza hitting a Strauss factory in Sderot earlier, just seconds after the workers reached safety.
There were no casualties ππ½ pic.twitter.com/lwfMzg53yD
IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Danny Hagari released a statement Wednesday morning regarding the security escalation: "The videos of the events from the Temple Mount created disturbances at the Gaza border and rocket barrages. At 6:35 AM the Air Force attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, and later tanks fired at Hamas positions following the resumption of firing. So far Ramadan has been quiet and worship on the Temple Mount has been carried out according to policy.
βThe IDF is on high alert in all areas. We will not change the policy on Temple Mount today. If Gaza further responds, we will respond strongly. We are on a sensitive day before Passover and we will overcome the forces in the axes in all sectors." It should be noted that the Israeli political-security cabinet has not convened since mid-February.
Palestinian terrorists & their #NeoNazi helpers like @FranceskAlbs use civilians, religious sites, etc. to attack Jews. #Hamas & @Palestine_UN are clear they want Jews out of Israel, dead or alive. Thereβs no peace partner there. https://t.co/ZV6QIyMWfc
β William Rapfogel (@WRapfogel) April 5, 2023
Throughout the night and early morning, sirens were heard in the Israeli towns surrounding the Gaza Strip. The municipality of Sderot updated that "no rockets were reported to fall in the city", but noted that one rocket hit a factory in a nearby industrial area causing minor damage. The IDF spokesman said following the siren that was heard in the city, "Five launches from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory have been detected. Four were intercepted by the air defense fighters." The IDF also referred to warnings in the Gaza Strip and said that the launches of four rockets that fell in open areas were detected, and therefore no interceptors were launched at them " in accordance with policy."
In the morning, the IDF attacked a site for the production of munitions and another site for the production and storage of munitions used by Hamas in the center of the Gaza Strip, and a short time later another round was fired at Sderot and the surrounding Gaza area which also led to sirens. The IDF then attacked a military compound and a number of military positions in Hamas. "The attacks are meant to cripple the ability of the terrorist organization Hamas to strengthen and arm itself," the IDF announced said.
You forgot to mention what promoted the police to come up to the Mount.https://t.co/JQRFP3ao7n pic.twitter.com/Rjl9hhuo5l
β Jay Engelmayer | Judea & Samaria Are In Israel (@jengelmayer) April 5, 2023
Over the last few days, organizations like the terror group Hamas spread false stories about the State of Israel organizing Passover sacrifices on the Temple Mount in order to rile up the Muslim street. The events that sparked the security forces to confront those barricaded in Al Aqsa had been planned and funded by the terror group, and the significant amount of Palestinian cameras in the area at the time served as proof that a confrontation was expected.
