Hamas Places Rocket Launch Sites Near Civilian Shelters in Gaza

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on two Hamas rocket launch sites in southern Gaza, the IDF said on April 24. An infographic distributed by the IDF showed that the rocket launch sites were 45 feet from civilian shelter areas in Gaza, illustrating how Hamas endangers civilians by launching attacks into Israel from areas near civilian infrastructure. Israel’s airstrikes follow renewed rocket fire from terrorists in Gaza. On April 24, sirens sounded in Kibbutz Kissufim on the Gaza border. Shrapnel from rockets used in one of the attacks hit a warehouse in Sderot on April 23. Rocket fire also caused sirens to sound in Zikim, near northern Gaza, on April 23. Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza have launched more than 9,100 rocket attacks on Israel since the start of the Gaza War on October 7.

Expert Analysis

“Renewed rocket fire from Gaza illustrates that Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza continue to be a threat to Israel. Hamas targeted Israel with rocket fire over the Passover holiday and has placed rocket launch sites near civilian areas. This is yet another example of Hamas cynically exploiting the civilians of Gaza to use them as cover. It is essential that Israel receives support to continue to uproot terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and prevent continued attacks on Israeli civilians from Gaza.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Despite the IDF successfully destroying a significant portion of the military infrastructure responsible for launching rockets at Israel, terrorist groups continue to fire a limited number of rockets by using primitive methods. Publications by Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups reveal that fighters have resorted to using everyday items, such as pieces of plastic, to replace components used to mount and launch rockets. However, it is worth noting that rocket fire from the Gaza Strip has dramatically decreased in frequency since the first months of the war.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Israeli Forces Warn Gazans in Beit Lahia Ahead of Raid

The IDF’s Arabic spokesperson unit announced in a social media statement on April 23 that Israeli forces were prepared to raid two neighborhoods in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia, from where terrorists launched their most recent attack on Sderot, Ashkelon, and Ashdod. Israel often warns Gazan civilians before carrying out incursions into areas in the coastal enclave. Israel said the specified areas of Beit Lahia could become a dangerous combat zone in the coming days. The IDF also struck 50 terror sites in Gaza on April 24. In addition, the IDF said that Sgt. 1st Class ‏Salm Alkreshat, 42, from Abu-Rabia in southern Israel, was killed in fighting in Gaza on April 23. A total of 606 IDF soldiers and security forces personnel have been killed in fighting since the start of the war.

Related Analysis

“Israel Arrests Terrorists Hiding in School in Northern Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Calls UN Investigation into UNRWA ‘Insufficient,’” FDD Flash Brief

“Passover Eve Massacre in Jerusalem Averted,” FDD Flash Brief