Israeli Fighter Jet Image by Getty Images

JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli airstrike hit a Hamas military compound in southern Gaza in response to a rocket fired hours earlier at southern Israel.

The attack early on Tuesday morning reportedly caused damage to the facility.

The attack came hours after a rocket launched from Gaza landed in an open field in southern Israel. The Code Red alert siren did not go off since it was determined that the rocket was heading to an unpopulated area. A second rocket fired Monday evening reportedly landed inside of Gaza.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The Israel Defense Forces said in announcing the Gaza strike Tuesday that, despite the fact that a small terrorist group actually launched the rocket, “The IDF holds Hamas accountable for events in Gaza.”

Dozens of rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza on southern Israel since U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Dec. 6 that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has struck at least 40 Hamas targets in Gaza in recent weeks, in response to criticism from Labor Party head Avi Gabbay that Netanyahu has failed to stop the rocket fire and for not taking stronger action against Gaza.

Also on Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot criticized politicians who have said that the IDF is not taking strong enough action against Hamas in the face of the rocket attacks from Gaza.

“These statements to respond with maximal force to rocket fire are irresponsible. It is not the right thing to do,” Eisenkot said during a speech at the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount