IDF: Terrorists Used Humanitarian Zone to Launch Rockets at Israel

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called on Palestinian civilians to evacuate the western part of the city of Khan Younis for the Mawasi humanitarian zone on July 22. The announcement came as the IDF prepared to resume operations in the Gazan city from where terrorists have been launching rockets at Israel. Terrorist activity and rocket fire have surged from several neighborhoods that were supposed to be used for humanitarian shelter, the IDF added. The IDF said it “is about to forcefully operate against the terrorist organizations” in the area. Israel used text messages, phone calls, and broadcasts in Arabic to alert civilians to evacuate. The IDF also published a new map of the humanitarian area of Mawasi.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas has illustrated that it continues to cynically exploit the humanitarian zone to fire rockets at Israel. The IDF has documented rocket fire from areas between the coast and Khan Younis. This also shows that Hamas has tried to infiltrate into areas where civilians are located and re-establish terrorist infrastructure in Khan Younis. This is how Hamas intends to try to cling to power in Gaza after nine months of war.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Palestinian terrorists have developed makeshift platforms using everyday items that have enabled them to launch rockets against IDF troops inside Gaza and Israeli communities not far from the border. While the rockets present a danger to Israel, it is a far cry from the early days of the conflict, when terrorist groups could strike Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Rocket Fire Continues From Gaza

Sirens sounded in four Israeli border communities near Gaza on July 22. These included Sufa and Nir Yitzhak near the Egyptian border, as well as Nirim and Ein HaShlosha. The IDF said overnight that it had struck 35 targets in Gaza on July 21 and July 22. These included a rocket launcher that had been prepared to launch projectiles at Israel. Additionally, the IDF eliminated numerous Hamas gunmen in southern Gaza’s Tel al-Sultan neighborhood and killed a Nukhba terrorist n an airstrike.

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