First attack on Tel Aviv in months: Hamas rocket falls into sea, no alarm sirens activated

Rocket fired from area where IDF soldiers are conducting operations

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A rocket fired by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip fell into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tel Aviv, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. It was the first attack on the Tel Aviv Metropolitan area from Gaza since the end of May.

Several residents in Tel Aviv reported on social media that they heard a loud explosion despite no sirens being activated.

“A short time ago, one launch was detected crossing the territory of the Gaza Strip and fell into the maritime space in the center of the country,” Israel Defense Forces confirmed shortly after.

“According to policy, no alerts were activated,” the army said. The IDF aerial defense array triggers alarm sirens only in populated areas that are under direct threat of a rocket impact.

“At the same time, another launch was detected that did not cross into Israel,” the IDF added.

The Hamas terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it launched two M90-type long-range rockets at Tel Aviv.

A Hamas source told the Lebanese Al Mayadeen outlet, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, that the rockets were fired from the southern town of Khan Younis, where IDF troops are currently operating.

The last attack on Tel Aviv took place in May, when eight rockets were fired from Rafah, triggering sirens in several cities and communities across central Israel.

While Tuesday's rocket attack could be in retaliation for the alleged Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh or possibly Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, Hamas has frequently used up its rocket arsenal in areas where the IDF has advanced to prevent the unused rockets from falling into the hands of the Israeli military.

The IDF’s 98th Division has been carrying out targeted raids around Khan Younis since last Friday.

“The soldiers of the 7th Brigade and the Paratrooper Brigade’s battlegroups are fighting above and below the ground to clear the area of terrorists while locating and destroying weapons and terrorist infrastructure,” the army said.

On Monday, Israeli forces directed an airstrike at the terror squad that launched a rocket at the area of Ein Hashlosha, in southern district of Israel, within the Gaza Envelope.

In addition, the forces struck additional Hamas installations in the area from which the shooting was carried out.

Soldiers of the 98th Division located and destroyed battle compounds, terror installations and also eliminated numerous terrorists, including several from Hamas’ rocket firing array, according to the IDF.