The skies over Tel Aviv witnessed a barrage of rockets launched by Hamas, leading to the suspension of commercial flights in Israel’s bustling capital. This sudden escalation has disrupted normalcy and brought renewed attention to the long-standing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
According to Arab media, the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In their statement, they cited ongoing Israeli actions against Palestinian civilians as the provocation for this latest round of hostilities. “These strikes are in response to the Zionist oppression of our people,” the statement read, underlining the group’s motive.
This attack marks the first time in six months that Hamas has targeted Tel Aviv with rockets. Local media reports that the city was rocked by at least 15 explosions, a stark reminder of the volatility in the region. The sudden attack triggered air raid sirens across Tel Aviv, causing widespread alarm and prompting swift action from authorities.
Foreign news agencies reported that the rocket sirens, heard for the first time in months, signaled the resumption of a grim pattern of violence. Despite over seven months of intensive Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza, Hamas has demonstrated its continued capability to launch long-range rockets.
The immediate fallout from these attacks saw the suspension of commercial flights at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv’s primary aviation hub. This move aims to ensure passenger safety and prevent potential airspace incursions amidst the ongoing threat.