Hamas fires rockets at Israel, IDF responds by 'expanding' offensive in Gaza Strip
Israeli military (photo: Getty Images)
Hamas militants launched missile attacks on Israeli territory, after which the Israeli military was ordered to intensify operations in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and The Times of Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense reported that on the evening of Sunday, April 6, approximately ten projectiles were identified crossing into Israeli territory from the central part of Gaza, near the Lachish area in the southern central part of the country.
The IDF informed that approximately five projectiles were successfully intercepted, but several areas reported impacts.
Israeli media stated that security and rescue forces were working at the site in Ashkelon, where a missile fired from the Gaza Strip had fallen.
It was also clarified that, according to Israeli sources, the militants launched missiles from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, targeting the Ashdod area (a city and port in Israel with a population of 207,000, located on the Mediterranean coast).
"Approximately five projectiles were successfully intercepted by the IAF," Israeli media reports.
Medics say the person sustained minor injuries. Footage of the aftermath of the shelling has been released on social media.
Rockets fell on Ashkelon, there are minor injuries, they will pay the price for this pic.twitter.com/gGsXOVg7gD
— Jerixa (@Jerixxa) April 6, 2025
The site of the rocket strike in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on April 6 (photo: timesofisrael.com / Magen David Adom)
Israeli media have described this rocket attack as the largest shelling from the Gaza Strip in many months.
Following the strike from militants towards Ashdod, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Defense Minister Israel Katz to respond forcefully and approved the continuation of intensive military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In turn, the country's Defense Minister stated that he had instructed the IDF to continue and expand the current offensive against Hamas in the enclave.
Katz also mentioned that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to deliver a very powerful strike against Hamas in Gaza in response to the shelling.
“For every piece of shrapnel that hits a resident of Ashkelon, the Hamas murderers will pay a very heavy price," he added.
Renewal of the IDF operation in the Gaza Strip
Active hostilities resumed recently between Israel and Hamas. This occurred after the militants refused to release hostages to the Israeli side, and the official Jerusalem declared that the militants had violated the ceasefire agreement.
Against this backdrop, Israeli forces launched a series of strikes on militant targets in the Gaza Strip.
On March 29, it was reported that Israel had begun a ground operation in Rafah (in the southern part of the enclave) to expand the security zone.
Additionally, it was previously stated by Israeli officials that they are considering the possibility of a large-scale ground operation in Gaza, which could include a military occupation for several months.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense also did not rule out the possibility of expanding the buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip if Hamas militants refuse to release hostages.
On March 30, Reuters reported that Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip.
The following day, Western media reported that Israel had offered a new ceasefire in Gaza, outlining conditions, including the requirement for Hamas to release approximately half of the hostages.
On April 2, Israel announced the expansion of its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. By April 3, Hamas declared that they were ready to release all remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.
