In a dramatic escalation, Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv on Thursday, calling it retaliation for what they describe as Israel’s “civilian massacres.” This marks Hamas’ first military response since Israel resumed air and ground operations in Gaza. The Israeli military intensified its offensive on Wednesday, closing Gaza’s main north-south route. The IDF has issued warnings to Gazans, urging them to expel Hamas from the region or face severe consequences. The number of casualties remains unknown.

Hamas’ Retaliation

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, stating they were carried out in response to what they called Israel’s “massacres” of civilians. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, over 500 Palestinians have been killed since the latest Israeli offensive began, including more than 190 children. At the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, grieving families knelt by the bodies of their loved ones enveloped in blood-stained white shrouds. “We want a ceasefire! We want a ceasefire!” one of them, Mohammed Hussein, told AFPTV, appealing for the international community to stop the killing. “We are defenceless Palestinian people,” he added.

Israeli Offensive

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun fresh ground operations in central and Southern Gaza. They stated that IDF will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in Gaza to protect the citizens of Israel. The IDF informed about its fresh activities in Gaza through a post on X. As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor. Israel Defence Minister, Israel Katz has also issued a message to Gaza residents, asking them to remove Hamas. “Over the past 24 hours, IDF soldiers have begun a targeted ground operation in the central and southern Gaza Strip in order to expand the security zone between the northern and southern parts,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X.

Israel’s Reaction

The Israeli military had said that they have intercepted one of the rockets and reported that two others fell in uninhabited areas. However, the escalation followed Israel’s Israel resumed its airstrikes on Tuesday, breaking a period of relative calm that had followed the ceasefire implemented on January 19.

Israel Defense Minister’s Message To Gazans

Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Israel Katz issued a message to Gaza residents on Wednesday. He issued warning to Hamas and asked them to return the hostages or else they will pay “full price.” He added that the alternative is total devastation.

“This is a message to the residents of Gaza: The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza, and the second Sinwar will bring its complete ruin. Soon, the evacuation of the population from combat zones will resume, and what follows will be far more severe—you will pay the full price. Return the hostages and remove Hamas—the alternative is total devastation,” said Israel Katz.