Uncertain ceasefire in Gaza - Terror groups shoot over 100 rockets in 24 hours, 16 Israeli airstrikes

According to multiple reports, Israel and Palestinian terror groups in Gaza have agreed to a ceasefire following a series of rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes overnight on Tuesday.

After some 32 rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza at Israel on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces struck rocket launch sites in Gaza and sites associated with the armed division of the Hamas terrorist organization.

Early this morning, the IDF confirmed that 104 rockets were reportedly fired at Israel from Gaza between Tuesday morning and early Wednesday morning.

The IDF noted 24 rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. Approximately 48 rockets fell in open areas, 11 rockets fell into the sea, and at least another 14 fell into the Gaza Strip. The location of the remaining 7 rockets was not clear.

The IDF has a policy of not intercepting rockets projected to fall in open or agricultural areas.

In response to the rocket fire, IDF planes and drones conducted a military operation overnight, striking multiple Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip. The IDF confirmed it primarily targeted the terror group's sites, as it considers Hamas to be the ruling authority and responsible for any attacks originating from Gaza.

According to local Gaza sources, Israeli planes attacked the Civil Administration site in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip and in the Al-Tawam area north of Gaza City. They also confirmed launching drones that attacked militant sites in western Gaza City.

The IDF released footage and maps showing the locations of their strikes, emphasizing that many of them were located in civilian areas, in close proximity to schools, hospitals and religious institutions.

The Palestinian news site Wafa News released a video from Gaza showing explosions in the city, with the sound of anti-aircraft gunfire in the background.

They also posted a video showing a build-up of Israeli tanks and armored units at the Gaza border, in preparation for a ground assault. However, the IDF chose not to launch a ground campaign due to successful ceasefire negotiations.

The Israeli military posted a video clip to social media, stating, "In response to the dozens of rockets launched at Israel from Gaza, the IDF struck weapon manufacturing sites, military compounds and underground terrorist tunnels belonging to terrorist organizations.”

The post also said: "Terrorism anywhere is a threat to civilians everywhere."

In response to the dozens of rockets launched at Israel from Gaza, the IDF struck weapon manufacturing sites, military compounds and underground terrorist tunnels belonging to terrorist organizations.

Terrorism anywhere is a threat to civilians everywhere. pic.twitter.com/2yto4VDtir

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 3, 2023

Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed to have repelled Israeli aircraft “through ground-based anti-aircraft” fire. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari acknowledged that militants had fired surface-to-air missiles at Israeli planes but said they were ineffective.

Hagari also said that despite the ceasefire, “all options are on the table.”  

The ceasefire, which was achieved via the efforts of officials from Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, was supposed to take effect at 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning, however, two more missiles were allegedly launched from Gaza after that time. Another ceasefire was subsequently declared, which went into effect at 3:30 this morning.

According to the Al Quds news site, the ceasefire was made “without any conditions or restrictions by the two sides except a return to calm.”

The increase in hostilities came after Israel announced the death of Sheikh Khader Adnan in an Israeli prison on Tuesday morning, following his 86-day hunger strike.