Hamas Launched Rocket at Central Israel From Near School

Latest Developments

Hamas claimed to have targeted Tel Aviv when it launched a rocket on the evening of August 25 that landed in an open area near Rishon LeZion, a city just south of Tel Aviv. The rocket was launched 75 feet from a school in Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. In the wake of the rocket attack, the IDF found the source of the rocket fire and carried out a precision drone strike on the launcher. “Following the strike on the launcher, secondary explosions were identified, indicating the presence of additional rockets,” Israel’s Ynetreported. The rocket fire took place as the IDF continued to fight terror groups in central and southern Gaza. For instance, IDF troops operating in Deir al-Balah in southern Gaza eliminated dozens of Hamas gunmen and destroyed a 700-meter-long tunnel, the IDF said on August 26.

Expert Analysis

“Rocket fire directed at the Israeli city of Rishon LeZion shows that Hamas continues its attempts to threaten Israeli civilians with rockets launched from Gaza. The terrorist group cynically places the rockets near schools and other civilian infrastructure to maximize civilian casualties in the wake of an Israeli counterstrike. Hamas’s use of schools and shelters to hide weapons and launch rockets must be condemned by the international community and its leaders held to account for their criminal terrorist acts.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“By continuing to lob rockets at Israeli civilians, Hamas has demonstrated that it must be defanged, not merely deterred. Pressure on Israel to negotiate a premature ceasefire preserves Hamas’s ability to terrorize Israeli cities.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

U.S., Israel Working Together to Find Hamas Terror Leader Sinwar

The New York Times reported on August 25 that Israel and the United States are working together to find Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar. The operation to find Sinwar has included the use of ground-penetrating radar as well as other intelligence sharing. According to the report, Sinwar no longer uses phones or other forms of electronic communication and has resorted to a complex network of couriers in order to continue controlling Hamas’s activities and relay messages to negotiators in ceasefire talks, which have taken place outside of Gaza. In early August, Sinwar was chosen to replace Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, after Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, elevating Sinwar to an even larger role in the terrorist group.

Related Analysis

“IDF Dismantles Terrorist Infrastructure in Khan Younis,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Strikes Rocket-Launching Post in Gaza Used by Hamas to Attack Tel Aviv,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Terrorist Released Through Ceasefire Deal Strikes Again in West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief