Hours after rocket fire: IDF attacks Gaza targets, sirens again sound in the south

IDF fighter jets overnight Wednesday struck a raw chemical material production, preservation and storage site used by the rocket production line belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization and a weapon manufacturing site, both located in central Gaza Strip.

The strike was carried out in response to the rocket launch that was intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on Wednesday afternoon.

“This strike significantly harms the capabilities and prevents further weapon acquisition capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for all terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip and it will face the consequences of the security violations against Israel,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

About an hour later, sirens were also heard in the Kfar Aza area. Several rockets exploded in open areas. No physical injuries or damages were reported.

On Wednesday afternoon, sirens were sounded in Sderot, Ibim, and Nir Am, as terrorists from the Gaza Strip fired a rocket which was intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.

Residents reported hearing explosions following the siren. A 50-year-old woman slipped and was lightly injured while attempting to flee to a bomb shelter in Sderot. Magen Adom Adom personnel treated her and evacuated her to the hospital.

The siren was activated in Sderot during a memorial for the late Ella Abukasis, who was killed in a Qassam rocket attack 18 years ago.

The rocket attack followed a threat by the Islamic Jihad that harming the conditions of security prisoners would lead to a response. The threat came after the National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ordered the closure of bakeries which provided food to terrorists in prisons.