Sirens and impacts near Jerusalem as Hamas continues rocket attacks on Israel

Even while the Israeli Air Force continued striking Hamas sites in Gaza yesterday, the terror organization has not given up its rocket attacks.

On Monday, a significant volley of rockets from Gaza reached the Jerusalem area, setting off air raid sirens and sending thousands running to shelters while making several impacts in the area.

Missile impacts were confirmed in several communities around Jerusalem, including the Israeli-Arab town of Abu Gosh, where a Hamas rocket struck near the main mosque in the town and seriously wounded a 20-year-old man hit by shrapnel

A rocket recently fell near a mosque in Israel.

Hamas terrorists are targeting and trying to murder as many innocents as possible.

They must be held responsible for their war crimes. pic.twitter.com/UTev5F5CWo

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 9, 2023

Another rocket hit the Israeli settlement of Har Adar, located on the security fence just up the hill from Abu Gosh. There were no reported casualties, as the family whose house was hit were all in their bomb shelter at the moment of impact.

A third confirmed hit landed near the town of Mevaseret Zion, just opposite Jerusalem.

Two people were injured with light to moderate injuries from an impact within the Jerusalem suburbs. In Beitar Illit, just south of Jerusalem, four people were treated for light to moderate injuries due to rocket impact.

Air raid sirens came during the funeral service for a lone soldier from the UK, Corporal Nathaniel Young, who was killed on the Gaza border on Monday.

Families and soldiers stood in funerals for their loved ones today, with explosions of falling rockets in the background. This is Israel’s reality—sirens cutting through the silence of our grief. pic.twitter.com/VOfSNT522B

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2023

Despite having no family, hundreds answered the call to attend his funeral and found themselves scrambling for shelter after air raid sirens sounded during the ceremony.

A final impact was reported in the Palestinian-controlled city of Bethlehem, where a rocket hit caused damage to a home. No deaths were reported.

The significant number of rockets reaching the Jerusalem area is unprecedented and indicates an improvement in Hamas’ rocket capabilities.

Central Israel has fewer Iron Dome batteries due to the previous inability of Hamas rockets to reach the area consistently.

With the higher number of rockets reaching the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas, the IDF will likely increase the number of Iron Dome batteries.