Unprecedented Rocket Fire Terrorizes Israeli Civilians

Latest Developments

The Israeli government said yesterday that terrorists in Gaza have fired 8,500 rockets toward Israel since Hamas launched the war on October 7. The terrorists have fired 1,500 rockets within the last 10 days, demonstrating Hamas’ determination to continue attacking Israel despite increased Israel Defense Forces activity in Gaza and deteriorating conditions on the ground.

Expert Analysis

“Various Hamas-run ministries in Gaza are bemoaning the lack of resources in the enclave. Despite the suffering of civilians, Hamas is still feeding its fighters, lighting and ventilating its vast network of terror tunnels, and firing over a hundred rockets a day at Israeli civilians.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Hamas employs a dual-pronged strategy to arm itself, combining the acquisition of arms through smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza and producing weapons such as rockets and drones locally. Much of the production of these arms is due to the transfer of Iranian military know-how to terror groups in Gaza.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hamas Prevented Civilians From Fleeing Northern Gaza

Hamas has prevented civilians from fleeing northern Gaza, establishing checkpoints and blocking the main roads heading south. The Iran-backed terrorist group also utilizes Gaza’s largest hospital as a command center and uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. Israel has conducted three weeks of airstrikes against terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including anti-tank missile launch sites and tunnels used by Hamas.

Hundreds of Americans Reportedly Trapped in Gaza

In an interview on CNN aired on October 29, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is trying to secure “the safe passage of any American in Gaza who wants to leave.” U.S. authorities say that between 500 and 600 U.S. citizens remain in Gaza. Sullivan noted that Egypt and Israel have both agreed to let U.S. and other foreign nationals leave the enclave through the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border. Sullivan said Hamas is preventing Americans from leaving Gaza and “making a series of demands” of the United States, although he did not say what those demands are.

Related Analysis

“Israel Expands Offensive Around Gaza City,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Declares Global War on Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief

“Ex-Hostage Recounts Hamas Mass-Kidnapping Tactics,” FDD Flash Brief