Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israel strikes Hamas targets in Gaza following rocket fire November 16 /update 12

Event

At approximately 02:00 (local time) on Saturday, November 16, two rockets were fired from Gaza toward the Israeli city of Beersheba. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), both rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. In response, the IDF targeted a Hamas military camp and naval base in Gaza with airstrikes. There were no reports of casualties and no immediate comment from Hamas.

Further cross-border fire is possible over the Israeli-Gazan border over the coming hours and days, including rockets fired by Palestinian militants toward and into Israel and retaliatory Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Context

Cross-border strikes significantly escalated on November 12 after the IDF targeted PIJ Al-Quds Brigade commander Bahaa Abu Al-Ata in a precision strike at his residence in the Shejaiyah area of Gaza. According to the IDF, Al-Ata was imminently planning to launch an attack against Israeli citizens and soldiers. Al-Ata has been accused of organizing hundreds of attacks in Israel and developing the rocket capabilities of the PIJ in the Gaza Strip.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation 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.