16 May 2021 | 06:30 PM UTC
Israel: Gazan militants likely to launch further rocket and mortar rounds toward southern region and major cities through late May /update 7
Further rocket attacks targeting Israel's southern region and major cities likely through late May. Retaliatory airstrikes almost certain.
Event
Gaza-based militants will almost certainly launch additional rocket and mortar attacks against Israel's southern communities and major cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, amid heightened tensions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Gazan militants have launched over 3,000 rocket and mortar rounds toward Israel since fighting began late May 10. The recent clashes constitute the most intense cross-border fire between Israeli and Palestinian forces since 2014 when the IDF launched Operation Protective Edge into the Gaza Strip. The pace of rocket fire in the recent fighting is reportedly the fastest pace ever recorded in Israel's history; it has surpassed the pace of the previous escalation with Gazan militants in November 2019 as well as the pace of rocket fire in the 2006 war with the Lebanese Shi'a militant group Hizballah. At least 10 Israelis and 188 Palestinians have been killed amid the violence, with over a thousand others injured. While Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system has intercepted hundreds of projectiles, reports indicate damage to buildings and infrastructure in communities in southern and central Israel.
The IDF has responded to the persistent rocket attacks with hundreds of retaliatory airstrikes against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip; the targets include weapons depots located inside of civilian buildings. Gaza-based militant groups have warned of future attacks if Israel continues to carry out airstrikes targeting residential areas of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military will almost certainly continue to conduct retaliatory airstrikes against militant targets in the territory, notably in Gaza City and Khan Younis, in response to any further attacks.
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) has periodically halted flights due to cross-border rocket fire targeting Tel Aviv; further closures of the airport are possible amid future Gazan rocket salvos. The recent rocket barrages come amid heightened tensions between Palestinians and Israelis following the latter's effort to evict Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Tensions will almost certainly remain at a heightened level over the coming days.
Advice
Monitor local media and abide by security force directives. If possible, avoid areas within 5 km (3 miles) of the Gaza buffer zone until the security situation improves. If incoming mortar rounds or rockets are reported in southern Israel or warning sirens sound in the general vicinity, report to the nearest bomb shelter and await further instructions from authorities. If there is no shelter nearby, stay indoors and away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, move to a ground floor or basement.
Individuals or entities operating in the Gaza Strip are advised to avoid known Hamas security force locations, which are common targets for Israeli retaliatory airstrikes. Establish a thorough communication plan to ensure rapid accountability for all personnel operating in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.
