Hamas Shells Jerusalem, Also Hits Ramallah

Latest Developments​

Hamas launched rockets toward Jerusalem on December 15, causing no casualties in the Israeli capital but hitting the nearby Palestinian administrative hub of Ramallah. The salvo from Gaza came as the Jewish sabbath began, and Israeli sirens scattered worshippers from the Western Wall. The Iron Dome intercepted at least three rockets over Jerusalem, witness reports indicated.

One rocket hit near Istishari Arab Hospital west of Ramallah, around 10 miles north of Jerusalem. Witnesses indicated there was some property damage, but there was no word of casualties.

The Hamas launch against Jerusalem appeared to have been the first since October 30. It was not immediately clear from where in the Gaza Strip the rockets were launched, as Israeli forces control large swathes of the coastal enclave with the war now in its third month.

Expert Analysis

“This was more terror by Hamas, a bid by the Palestinian terrorists to show they can keep up headline-making attacks on Israel’s capital, almost 50 miles away, even as they lose ground daily to the IDF in Gaza. The fact that fellow Palestinians were in the line of fire does not matter to Hamas, nor does the fact that such a salvo could even damage the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“There is something very sad but fitting about this episode. Hamas has done nothing but undermine the Palestinian cause since the group’s founding in 1988. After years of inviting disastrous wars upon its own people, the group is now bombarding its own aspirational capital with rockets while also striking population centers of Palestinians. At what point do the Palestinians finally call out Hamas? It is remarkable that the group has not come under immense criticism in the aftermath of the war that followed the October 7 attacks.” — Jonathan Schanzer, FDD Senior Vice President for Research

Related Analysis

“116 Rockets Fired at Israel From Humanitarian Zone in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Ten Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza Fighting,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Continues to Arm Israel as IDF Discovers Large Hamas Weapons Depot,” FDD Flash Brief