The Hamas group launched a massive rocket attack on Israel on Tuesday as the Zionist military postponed its ground invasion of Gaza, Palestine. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, Wednesday (25/10/2023), the latest attack was the largest wave of Hamas rocket attacks since their devastating attack last October 7.
The targets of the rocket attacks were centered on Tel Aviv, but rocket sirens were heard in more than a dozen cities, and a rocket warning map showed a sea of red warning signs in central Israel.
“The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades fired rockets at Tel Aviv in response to (Israeli attacks) targeting civilians in Al-Shati and Jabalia camps,” Hamas said, referring to its military wing, in a text message sent to journalists.
AFP correspondents witnessed dozens of airstrikes over a 30-minute period on Thursday morning last week towards the Al-Shati camp and north of the blockaded route.
“The occupation (Israeli forces) carried out a massacre this morning in Al-Shati camp and Jabalia camp, leaving dozens of people martyred and injured,” Iyad al-Buzum, spokesman for Hamas' Interior Ministry, told AFP.
Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israel since launching its unprecedented offensive on October 7, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm. More than 1,400 people have died in Israel as a result of the shocking attack more than two weeks ago.
Israel responded by declaring war codenamed Operation Iron Sword. The Zionist military response in the form of massive air strikes and artillery fire has killed more than 4,000 people in Gaza.
At least five Israelis were injured in the Hamas rocket attack on Tuesday. They were injured as a result of separate attacks in various areas, namely in Holon, Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, Be'er Yaakov and Yavne.
The Israeli military remains ready to launch a ground invasion of Gaza at any time, although plans for such an operation have been delayed. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi told reporters that Israel was "ready to attack", but explained the delay.
“At this stage, there are tactical and strategic factors that give us more time to develop and make the most of every minute to be better prepared,” he said.
"With every minute that passes, we are attacking the enemy more and more, killing his militia, killing his commanders, destroying his infrastructure, and gathering more intelligence for our next steps," he explained.
Meanwhile, US President Biden's government is also urging Israel to delay the invasion in the hope of giving it more time to negotiate the release of the hostages. Hamas has so far freed four of the roughly 200 hostages it took in the Oct. 7 attack.
The Palestinian resistance group released two Americans and two Israelis, but there has been no further progress regarding negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “destroy” Hamas, and he has the full support of the US and other Western countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Netanyahu on Tuesday and said the campaign against Hamas must be carried out “without mercy, but not without rules”.