On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with Defense Minister Yisroel Katz from the Wing of Zion aircraft, during which he was briefed on the rocket attacks launched from Gaza.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was noted, “The Prime Minister instructed that a vigorous response be carried out and approved the continuation of the intensive IDF activity in the Strip against Hamas.”
Later, Defense Minister Katz addressed the escalation involving rockets fired toward the Ashkelon region.
“I have instructed the IDF to continue and expand Operation ‘Might and Sword’ and to deliver a very powerful blow against Hamas in Gaza in response to the firing. For every piece of shrapnel that hit an Ashkelon resident, Hamas murderers must pay the heaviest price. We will not tolerate missile fire toward Israel,” Katz said.
In response, the IDF carried out airstrikes against the rocket launchers in Gaza that were used to fire at Israeli targets earlier in the day.
“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to Israeli civilians,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Earlier in the evening, a barrage of ten rockets was fired from Gaza, triggering alert sirens in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and nearby communities.
According to the IDF, approximately five of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli Air Force systems. The military added, “Falls were identified in several areas. IDF Home Front Command soldiers are dispatched to the scenes and are operating in cooperation with Israeli security forces.”
Fragments from the rockets landed in Ashkelon, causing damage to multiple vehicles. Security personnel were sent to the impacted locations to manage the aftermath.
{Matzav.com Israel}