Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israeli airstrikes target Hamas in Gaza November 27 /update 14

Event

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aircraft hit multiple Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip during the early morning hours (local time) of Wednesday, November 27, in retaliation for an earlier rocket attack. According to the IDF, the airstrikes were conducted around 01:30 and targeted Hamas positions in southern areas of the Gaza Strip, including a weapons factory. No casualties were immediately reported. On Tuesday, November 26, Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza.

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 Palestinian Islamic Jihad (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. Cross-border rocket strikes have continued in recent weeks, despite a ceasefire between Israel and the PIJ that went into effect on November 14.

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.