10 Rockets Fired at Israel Amid Renewed Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza

Latest Developments

Rockets Hit Israeli Communities: Hamas terrorists launched 10 rockets at Israeli communities on April 6, the heaviest barrage since the October 2024 anniversary of the atrocities carried out in Israel by the terrorist organization. Israel’s air defense array intercepted five of the projectiles, but at least one of the remaining rockets struck the southern city of Ashkelon, causing only light damage. A 30-year-old man was injured by shrapnel, and several others were treated for acute anxiety following the attack.
Protests Against Hamas Revived to Gaza: Hamas’s attack against Israel coincided with fresh protests against the Iran-backed terrorist group in the city of Jabalia. Demonstrators took to the streets on April 6 chanting, “Hamas are terrorists” and “Hamas are garbage.” Protests in Gaza against Hamas erupted in northern Gaza on March 25, continuing for three consecutive days before Hamas cracked down on the demonstrations, killing and torturing numerous Gazans who participated.
Hamas Asked Iran for October 7 Funding: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed a document on April 6 that allegedly showed the now deceased Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif in direct communication with Iran in 2021, seeking funding for the group’s October 7, 2023, atrocities. The document reportedly reveals that Hamas requested $500 million from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Esmail Qaani over two years to finance the goal of “destroying the State of Israel.” Despite Iran’s struggling economy, the Islamic Republic accepted the request “because the struggle against Israel and the US is the top priority of the regime,” according to Katz.

FDD Expert Response

“The recent barrage of rockets fired at Israel should not come as a surprise. Palestinian terrorist groups continue to have some capacity to launch rocket attacks, including long-range strikes targeting Tel Aviv and potentially beyond. That said, it’s important to note that such rocket barrages have become increasingly rare over the past year, mainly due to successful Israeli military operations targeting terrorist infrastructure.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Despite the renewed protests, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups continue to use Gaza to launch rockets at Israeli towns, triggering retaliatory Israeli evacuation orders and airstrikes. This leads to one clear conclusion: Hamas does not care about the Palestinian civilians in Gaza — its sole aim is to bring destruction to the coastal enclave.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

“Hamas’s request for significant Iranian funding for its October 7 land invasion, two years before the actual event, indicates two things: first, that Hamas was planning its atrocities well in advance, even in 2021 during its smaller-scale conflict with Israel; and second, that the United States and the international community must continue efforts to cut off Iran’s sources of income for terror financing.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow