Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
According to reports, there were no immediate casualties or damage from the attack, which appeared to be the first long-range rocket assault from Gaza since January. Hamas' military wing has claimed responsibility for the attack, news agency AP reported.
"The Israeli military said eight projectiles crossed into Israel after being launched from the area of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where Israeli forces recently launched an incursion. It said 'a number' of the projectiles were intercepted," AP reported citing a report from the ground.
Earlier on Sunday, aid convoys entered Gaza from southern Israel under a newly established agreement to bypass crossing with Egypt. However, due to ongoing hostilities, it remained uncertain whether humanitarian organisations could safely access the aid.
Egypt's stance on reopening its side of the Rafah crossing hinges on the handover of control to Palestinians. Following a discussion between US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, temporary traffic diversion through Israel's Kerem Shalom cross was agreed upon. Nonetheless, Israel's offensive activities in Rafah have impeded access to Kerem Shalom, making aid retrieval challenging.
The conflict's toll on Gaza has been severe, with nearly 36,000 Palestinians reported killed, AP reported citing Gaza's Health Ministry. Widespread displacement, hunger, and famine-like conditions have plagued the territory, affecting around 80% of its 2.3 million population, the AP report said.
The conflict, initiated by Hamas' attack into Israel on October 7, resulted in major casualties and several hostages. Despite previous ceasefire efforts, Hamas retains control over a considerable number of hostages, adding complexity to negotiations for a cessation of hostilities.
Southern Gaza, particularly affected by the conflict, has faced challenges in accessing aid since Israel's recent incursion into Rafah. The displacement of over a million Palestinians from the city has exacerbated humanitarian concerns, while aid delivery remains limited.
Isareli Prime Minister Netanyahu's insistence on continued military operations in Rafah, aimed at eliminating Hamas' remaining presence, has faced mounting domestic and international pressure. Calls for the release of hostages and demands for new elections have intensified, the AP report said.
The development comes after several European countries announced to recognise Palestine as a state and the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants. Read more here.