UPDATED: Representatives of the Hamas group notified that the night attack on Israel was an accident. There was a technical malfunction that was allegedly caused by bad weather conditions.
Late on November 14, two rockets were launched from the Palestinian Gaza Strip at southern and central regions of Israel.
The rockets landed in open areas along the Israeli coast near the city of Ashdod and on Palmachim Beach. No damage was reported as a result of the strike.
תיעוד: כך נראה הירי מרצועת עזה@Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/VmkPY49ZEc
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) November 15, 2020
According to the Israeli media, the Iron Dome system fired two missiles at the rocket that landed on Palmachim Beach. However, they both missed. Shrapnel from one of the interceptors hit the city of Bat Yam, causing minor damage.
יירוט נצפה באזור ראשון לציון @Itsik_zuarets
(צילום: ינון לוי) pic.twitter.com/aJqI4BWuyH— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) November 15, 2020
ירי הרקטות | ראש עיריית בת ים, צביקה ברוט: “חלק מרסיסים של טיל כיפת ברזל נפלו בכמה רחובות בעיר שסמוכים לטיילת וגם באזור החוף”@hadasgrinberg
(צילומים: איחוד הצלה, אנשי הדממה) pic.twitter.com/dIiQalPyGy— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) November 15, 2020
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded to the rocket attack by carrying out a number of strikes on underground infrastructure and military posts of the Hamas Movement in Gaza.
“The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment & remains prepared to operate against any terror activity,” the army said on Twitter.
The Palestinian Shehab Agency said the strikes targeted positions in Rafah, Jabalia and Beit Lahia in Gaza. No human losses were reported.
The rocket attack came two days after the anniversary of the assassination of Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata. The assassination, which took place last year, sparked fierce clashes between Palestinian factions and the IDF.
While Islamic Jihad may be behind the attack, Israel insists that the Hamas Movement, the de-facto ruler of the Gaza Strip, is responsible for any attack from the region.
