Sporadic rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory continues | The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

On the evening of December 25, 2019, a rocket was launched at Ashkelon during an election rally of Prime Minister Netanyahu. So far, a total of 10 rockets were launched into Israeli territory in seven firing incidents since the ceasefire achieved at the end of the latest round of escalation (Operation Black Belt). The IDF responded to the current firing incident and to previous incidents by attacking Hamas’s targets in the Gaza Strip. So far, the sporadic rocket fire has not caused any casualties or damage, but it constantly disrupts the routine daily life of residents of Israel’s south, mainly the residents of the western Negev towns and villages. No terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the firing incidents. In the ITIC’s assessment, the rockets were launched by rogue organizations or operatives, mainly from among the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which strives to maintain tension with Israel. Hamas is against the launches, which are contrary to its policy, and in the ITIC’s assessment even tries to prevent them. However, in terms of consequences, Hamas’s enforcement activity has so far proved ineffective.