A Palestinian terrorist group claimed to have fired another rocket from the Jenin area in the West Bank toward the Israeli town of Shaked on Wednesday morning, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they found rocket shrapnel in Palestinian territory and launched an airstrike on a Hamas weapons factory in response.
Al-Ayyash Brigades claim responsibility
The Palestinian group that claimed responsibility for the rocket attack is the al-Ayyash Brigades, which is apparently named after a notorious Hamas bombmaker killed by Israel. The group has made repeated claims of rocket fire toward Shaked, with shrapnel found in the area after at least some of the claims were made. The group has also published videos of members of the group firing rudimentary rockets.
The IDF said the rockets did not pose a threat to the residents of Shaked, which is located near the West Bank security barrier. However, the IDF stressed that it views any attempt to harm Israeli civilians or sovereignty with great severity and will continue to act against any terror activity.
IDF strikes Hamas target in Gaza
In response to the rocket fire, the IDF said it carried out an airstrike on a Hamas weapons manufacturing site in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF said the strike was aimed at preventing further attacks and reducing the capabilities of Hamas, which it holds responsible for all activities emanating from Gaza.
The IDF also said it was closely monitoring the situation in the West Bank and Gaza and was prepared for various scenarios, including a resumption of hostilities. The IDF urged the public to follow its instructions and stay alert.
Tensions remain high in the region
The latest rocket attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a series of violent incidents in recent weeks. On Monday, two Palestinians were killed and another was wounded in clashes with IDF troops near Jericho in the West Bank. The IDF said the Palestinians opened fire at the soldiers, who returned fire.
On Sunday, security forces found the remains of a rocket in the northern Israel town of Ram-On, which borders the West Bank security barrier. The exact date of that launch was unclear, but it indicated that terrorists in the northern West Bank possess the capability to launch rockets at further distances than initially assessed.
On Saturday, a Palestinian man stabbed and wounded two Israelis in Jerusalem’s Old City before being shot dead by police. The attack occurred near the Temple Mount, a flashpoint site that has been the scene of several violent confrontations in recent years.
