The Israel Defense Forces have rejected a claim by Gaza terrorist groups that a launch of two rockets, both fired at central Israel on Saturday morning, were accidental and “caused by [inclement] weather conditions.”
فيديو : لحظة إطلاق الصواريخ من غزة تجاه مدينة تل أبيب المحتلة pic.twitter.com/9WMyWYdTHi
— غزة الآن – Gaza Now #عاجل ? (@GazaNownews)
“This morning, 2 rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel. According to protocol, no sirens were activated and no interception took place as the rockets landed in the sea off the coast of central Israel,” the IDF said in a statement.
Both rockets landed in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tel Aviv.
Looks like Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad may have fired a rocket or two (or three) towards central Israel. Large booms were heard in Tel Aviv, Holon, Bat Yam and Rishon about 20min ago. Video shows smoke off the coast in the sea pic.twitter.com/P6SojBdg7O
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim)
No Red Alert incoming rocket attack sirens were triggered and there was no interception by the Iron Dome aerial defense system.
IDF officials told the Hebrew-language Ma’ariv newspaper that the weather excuse was “not relevant” and have urged the government to respond to the intended attack.
Following the report, Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization warned Israel via Egyptian mediators, “The factions will respond fiercely to any Israeli response from this morning’s incident.”
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group – backed by Iran, as is Hamas – was said to be on alert and evacuated its bases following the rocket fire.
The Fatah-led Al Quds Martyrs Brigades terror group also announced “maximum readiness” among all units and halted all training activities.