Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Rocket sirens heard in Zikim September 11 /update 74

Event

At approximately 23:35 (local time) on Wednesday, September 11, rocket sirens were heard over Zikim (Southern district), as at least one missile was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. It was not immediately clear if the rockets had fallen in Israel or whether there were any resultant casualties. Further details are still emerging.

Additional Palestinian rocket launches targeting Israel are possible over the coming hours and days, as well as retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Context

On the evening of Tuesday, September 10, two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system over southern Israel. Rocket sirens sounded in Ashkelon and Ashdod; no casualties or damages were immediately reported. The attack occurred after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during a press conference that he would annex the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea if re-elected to the premiership on Tuesday, September 17.

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 in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Seek immediate shelter in the event of a rocket attack.

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.