The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad launched a barrage of rockets into Israel on Monday, amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and advancing Israeli tanks, according to residents and officials.
Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed ally of Hamas, claimed responsibility for firing rockets at several Israeli communities near the Gaza fence, in retaliation for what they described as “the crimes of the Zionist enemy against our Palestinian people.” Despite the volley of around 20 rockets causing no casualties, the attack underscored the militants’ persistent rocket capabilities, nearly nine months into an offensive that Israel says aims to neutralize threats.
Escalating Violence
Violence also erupted in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian health ministry reported the deaths of a woman and a boy in Tulkarm during an Israeli operation. This followed the killing of an Islamic Jihad member by an Israeli strike in the same area a day earlier.
In Gaza, militants continued to attack Israeli forces in areas previously vacated by the army months ago. Israeli tanks intensified their incursions into Shejaia, eastern Gaza City, and advanced further into Rafah, southern Gaza, near the Egyptian border. The Israeli military reported killing several militants in Shejaia and discovering large caches of weapons.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, claimed its fighters lured an Israeli force into a booby-trapped house in Rafah, causing casualties. The Israeli military confirmed the death of a soldier in southern Gaza, with Army Radio attributing it to the booby-trapped house incident reported by Islamic Jihad. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike in Rafah killed a militant who had fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli troops.
Operation Update
Israel signaled that its operation in Rafah, aimed at dismantling Hamas, would soon conclude. Post-operation, Israeli forces plan to conduct smaller-scale operations to prevent Hamas from regrouping. The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.
The subsequent Israeli offensive has resulted in nearly 38,000 deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry, with most of the deceased being civilians, though Israel contends that at least a third were fighters. Israel has reported 317 soldier fatalities in Gaza.
Stalled Ceasefire Efforts
Efforts by Arab mediators, backed by the United States, to secure a ceasefire have stalled. Hamas insists on ending the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel is only open to temporary pauses until Hamas is eradicated.
In a gesture seen as part of the ceasefire negotiations, Israel released 54 Palestinian detainees, including Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, director of Al Shifa Hospital, who was detained in November. Israel had accused Hamas of using the hospital for military purposes, an allegation Hamas and Abu Selmeyah deny.
Allegations of Abuse
Abu Selmeyah, speaking at Al-Aqsa Hospital, alleged severe abuse during his detention, including physical torture and deprivation of food and medicine. Israel had previously announced an investigation into the deaths of Palestinian detainees and alleged abuse at a military-run detention camp. The military did not immediately comment on Abu Selmeyah’s allegations.
