Palestinian Militants Fire Rockets into Israel on Attack Anniversary \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets at Israel on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people. Despite the ongoing violence, a nearby commemoration ceremony proceeded undisturbed. Israeli forces retaliated with airstrikes, targeting militants in Gaza, while fighting also escalated with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed about 42,000 Palestinians, according to local officials, as the conflict shows no signs of slowing.
Renewed Gaza Rocket Attacks: Quick Looks
- Palestinian militants launched rockets at Israel on the anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
- Israeli military responded with airstrikes targeting Gaza, intensifying ongoing clashes.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to continue military operations until all hostages are freed.
- Tensions escalate further with Hezbollah in Lebanon, leading to new rocket fire and casualties.
- U.S. officials call for caution as the conflict widens and threatens regional stability.
Deep Look:
On Monday, Palestinian militants in Gaza launched a fresh barrage of rockets into Israel as mourners commemorated the anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 attack, where Hamas-led militants breached Israel’s security fence, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Despite the renewed violence, a nearby ceremony marking the attack continued without disruption, demonstrating the resilience of the people amid the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military responded to the rocket fire with a series of airstrikes and artillery barrages aimed at thwarting what it called an “imminent attack.” These strikes underscored the resilience of militant groups in Gaza, even as Israeli forces have been conducting a devastating offensive across the territory for the past year. The offensive, which has killed an estimated 42,000 Palestinians according to Gaza’s health officials, has led to widespread destruction and displaced nearly 90% of the region’s population. Israel’s strikes have heavily targeted Hamas strongholds, yet militants continue to retaliate, further fueling the already volatile situation.
Israel’s Ongoing War with Hamas and Hezbollah
The situation in Gaza has expanded beyond its borders, with tensions escalating on multiple fronts. On Oct. 8, 2023, just a day after Hamas launched its attack, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, began firing rockets into northern Israel. The situation remains tense, with both sides exchanging heavy fire. On Monday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike killed at least 10 firefighters in southern Lebanon. Despite losses on its side, Hezbollah continues to fire rockets, showing no signs of backing down.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to continue military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, signaling that they will not cease until they have achieved their military goals. Netanyahu, in a recorded message delivered during a government memorial service, affirmed Israel’s determination to fight until the remaining hostages, including those still held in Gaza, are returned home.
“We will continue to fight. As long as our hostages are in Gaza, we will continue to fight. We will not give up on any of them,” Netanyahu said. The prime minister’s message followed widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the conflict and the failure to bring home dozens of hostages who remain captive.
New Strikes in Gaza and Civilian Casualties
As violence intensified, Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza. On Monday night, at least 21 people, including five children, were killed in airstrikes in central Gaza, according to officials at Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital. Strikes hit the Bureij refugee camp, leaving a trail of destruction and more victims believed to be buried under the rubble. The strikes coincide with the first anniversary of the attack that ignited the conflict between Israel and Hamas, marking a year of brutal fighting that has devastated Gaza’s population.
Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital reported an influx of casualties, many of them children and civilians. Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that the war has killed nearly 42,000 people, although it does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. This high death toll reflects the extent of Israel’s offensive, which has laid waste to large swaths of the territory, yet it has not deterred militant groups from continuing their attacks on Israel.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Strains
In the international sphere, Israel’s commemoration of the anniversary of the Hamas attack was marked by strained relations with the United Nations. Israel chose not to invite U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres or any U.N. officials to the event, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two parties. Last week, Guterres was declared “persona non grata” in Israel after comments that Israeli officials found unsupportive. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the U.N. for failing to condemn Hamas, claiming that the organization has “failed Israel time and time again.”
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has urged for harsher sanctions on Iran, a key supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah. McConnell argued that Iran must “feel some pain” in order to curb its backing of militant groups, stressing that stricter measures on Iran’s energy sector are essential. McConnell also expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of the Middle East crisis, advocating for more decisive action against Tehran.
Memorial Services and Public Outcry
Across Israel, memorial services were held to mark the Oct. 7 anniversary. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of families of victims and hostages gathered in a central park to commemorate the lives lost during the attacks. This gathering was one of two major memorial services, the other being a government ceremony attended by officials but notably devoid of the public. Many families, still reeling from the loss of loved ones, boycotted the official event, expressing anger toward the government for its failure to prevent the attack or secure the release of hostages.
In an emotional display of grief and unity, the Tel Aviv memorial featured performances by Israeli singers and testimonies from survivors. The scene was somber, with many attendees seen hugging or crying as they remembered the victims of the attack. Several attendees described the event as a powerful display of resilience in the face of unthinkable tragedy.
Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah
As tensions escalate with Hezbollah, Israeli military operations have intensified in Lebanon. On Monday, Israel warned residents of Lebanon’s southern coastal areas to evacuate as it prepares for further military actions. The Israeli army announced that it would soon launch operations targeting Hezbollah militants along Lebanon’s southern coast, urging civilians to avoid the area for their safety.
This warning came as Hezbollah ramped up its rocket attacks on northern Israel. On Monday, Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets into cities like Haifa and Tiberias, causing injuries and significant damage. In retaliation, Israeli forces launched an aerial operation, striking over 120 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. These developments underscore the growing risk of the conflict expanding further, threatening to destabilize the entire region.
Conclusion
As the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks passes, both Israel and its adversaries show no signs of de-escalating. Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets, while Israel presses forward with its military campaign. Hezbollah’s involvement on Israel’s northern front further complicates the situation, making the prospects of peace more elusive. As civilians on all sides suffer the consequences of war, international pressure mounts for a resolution, but for now, the region remains locked in a deadly cycle of violence.
