Hamas and Israel agreed to a second ceasefire in just 10 days with the help of Egypt after at least 10 Hamas-manufactured rockets struck a home in Mishmeret, Israel, early Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces say the rocket was fired from the southern Gaza Strip and caused seven casualties, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Among those wounded were four adults, a six-month-old baby, a three-year-old and a 12-year-old.
Israel’s Iron Dome, which intercepted at least one rocket during Hamas’ last surprise attack last Thursday, was not activated Monday because Israel did not expect rocket fire to strike the center of the country less than two weeks since the last ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Volunteer rescuers stare at the damage in the ceiling of a house in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, caused by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on March 25, 2019. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
After firing warning shots, the IDF responded to Hamas’ attack later on Monday by targeting key Hamas sites, including a three-story building that contained headquarter offices for “several wings of Hamas’ intelligence apparatus,” Hamas training and military outposts, public security offices and several civilian buildings, as well. Seven casualties were reported in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said in a television interview that Israel’s response was “the most expansive action Israel has taken in Gaza since 2014’s Operation Protective Edge,” Haaretz reports. Public bomb shelters were opened in both countries in preparation for responses to the offensive.
Egypt managed to negotiate a ceasefire between the two nations Monday evening.
The airstrikes come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. this week. While the prime minister originally planned to spend several days in the United States, he cut his trip short upon news of the attack.
During his meeting with Trump at the White House on Monday, Netanyahu made a public announcement regarding the strikes, saying, “Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this. Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression. We will do whatever we must do to defend our people and defend our state.”
Netanyahu is up for reelection in Israel’s 21st Knesset (or legislative) election in less than two weeks on April 9. The prime minister was indicted in late February with charges of fraud and bribery. (RELATED: Netanyahu Drops Defiant Response To Accusations, Indictment)
The attacks also come amid political tension within Gaza, as more and more citizens express their dissatisfaction with Hamas’ leadership — or lack thereof — since the group gained control of the territory in 2007.
As the Associated Press explains, “Hamas is facing perhaps its toughest domestic test since seizing control of Gaza from the rival Palestinian Authority 12 years ago. An Israel-Egyptian blockade, imposed to weaken Hamas, combined with sanctions by the Palestinian Authority and mismanagement by the Hamas government, have all fueled an economic crisis that has left Gaza with an unemployment rate above 50 percent.”