Since 2001, Palestinian groups have frequently fired rockets and mortars into Israel proper, targeting mostly civilians and triggering retaliatory strikes.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Most rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah launched a large amount of rockets from Lebanon to Israel.[7] Since the end of the war, attacks from Lebanon have been less common than attacks from Gaza.
There were increased tensions at Temple Mount/Al Aqsa between Muslims and Jews during April 2023 as there was an overlap between the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Passover. This led to worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque to barricade themselves inside on 5 April.[8] Israeli police stormed the Mosque to dislodge the "law-breaking youths and masked agitators". Armed worshippers responded with stones and fireworks.[9] Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas.[10] 50 people were injured[8] and 350 were arrested.[9]
The attacks were condemned across the Arab world. Hamas slammed the raid and called on West BankPalestinians to defend Al Aqsa.[11]
Attacks
From Gaza
On day of the Al-Aqsa Violence, the IDF said 12 rockets were fired towards Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.[citation needed]
Earlier in the day, 10 rockets were fired. 5 fell in open fields. One fell on a factory in Sderot, leaving no casualties.[citation needed]
On 6 April 2023, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel.[13] The Israel Defense Forces has said that it had intercepted 25 rockets fired from Lebanon.[13] Warning sirens had sounded in the town of Shlomi and in Betzet in northern Israel.[13] A minimum of 4 rockets landed in Israeli territory, wounding three civilians.[13]
According to Israel, the rockets were fired by Palestinian factions Hamas and PIJ with Hezbollah's approval.[14][15] Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee also said that possible Iranian involvement in the attacks was being investigated.[16] Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said that Hezbollah and Lebanon shared some responsibility.[17]
In the early morning of 7 April, the Israeli Air Force retaliated by striking targets in Tyre, Lebanon as well as in the Gaza Strip.[18] Israeli airstrikes did not target Hezbollah positions and Hezbollah insisted that it will not get involved in "local attacks" by Israel in Lebanon.[19]
The attacks were the largest escalation between the two countries since the 2006 Lebanon War and came as the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs met in Beirut.[14][20][21]
Zhai Jun, the special envoy to the Middle East held a conference with envoys of the Arab League of its member states urging "relevant sides to act in accordance with relevant U.N. resolutions, and earnestly respect and maintain the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, and shared what China has done to ease the situation," calling for a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting.[23]
Prime Minister of LebanonNajib Mikati condemned the rockets fired towards Israel from its soil.[24] He added that Lebanon rejects the use of its territory to carry out operations that destabilise the situation.[25] The Lebanese Government and UNIFIL also began investigating the source of the rocket attacks.[26]
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated "We condemn the launch of rockets from Lebanon and Gaza. Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad. We recognize Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against all forms of aggression." According to The Times of Israel, the "Biden administration had blocked the UN Security Council from issuing a statement on the latest uptick in violence, fearing that it would be used to draw an equivalency between its actions and those of terror groups."[34]
From Syria
The Israeli military said that two salvoes of rocket fire between 9–10 April towards the occupied Golan Heights. 3 rockets were launched in the first, one hit southern Golan. In the second, 2 rockets were fires, and one was intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system.[citation needed]
It was reported that the Liwa al-Quds, a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime (not to be confused with the Al-Quds Brigades), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IDF said Syria was responsible for such attacks.[35]
Israeli reaction
In response to the attacks, Israel carried out strikes towards the source of the rockets. This hit both civilian and military targets.
Gaza
An IDF spokesman said that they had targeted 10 sites in Gaza, which included production sites, research and development sites, and tunnel infrastructure. The IDF said that it had carried out strikes at Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that a children's hospital was damaged, causing distress among the young patients.[36]
Lebanon
Strikes in Lebanon took place south of Tyre. Early on 7 April, explosions were reported around the Rashideh refugee camp, 5km from Tyre. The village of Al-Qulaila was also reported to be hit by the strikes, and pictures showed a small bridge was destroyed.[37]
Syria
Israel said that a drone had hit the rocket launchers in Syria. Israeli warplanes also struck targets belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces. The Syrian military said that it had intercepted some missiles, but damage did occur.[35]
See also
2023 Al Aqsa Clashes: Violent confrontations at Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem which caused the rocket attacks
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