Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Cross-border strikes continue in Gaza March 15 /update 3

Event

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced at approximately 07:45 (local time) on Friday, March 15, that 100 Hamas targets in Gaza have been hit in retaliatory airstrikes throughout the morning. IDF aircraft began striking Hamas positions in response to two rockets being fired at Tel Aviv on the evening of Thursday, March 14. No casualties were reported in the Tel Aviv incident, but Gazan security officials have said two civilians were wounded in the IDF strikes. In response to the IDF operations, militants have carried out additional cross-border indirect fire (IDF) attacks. Israel’s Iron Dome Aerial Defense System intercepted three out of four rockets fired from Gaza near the city of Sderot.

Additional attacks launched from the Gaza Strip targeting Israel are possible over the coming hours, as well as Israeli military reprisals on suspected Gazan militant installations.

Context

The March 14 rocket attack is the first time Tel Aviv has been targeted since 2014. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) denied responsibility for the missile attack.

In general, rocket fire and strikes between Israel and the Gaza Strip have intensified since early December 2017. Hundreds of rockets and mortars have been fired from the Gaza Strip, often followed by retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.

Due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.