IDF says Hamas firing rockets from Gaza safe zones as civilian scramble for shelter
Rockets fired at Israel on Wednesday were launched from within humanitarian zones set up in Gaza to allow civilians a safe haven, Israel’s military charged Thursday, as troops pressed into major Hamas strongholds in northern and southern Gaza amid heavy fighting.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, two separate rocket attacks Wednesday afternoon, including a large barrage aimed at Negev metropolis Beersheba, were fired from the vicinity of areas that are supposed to be free of hostilities, putting civilians at risk.
“At 15:59, Hamas terrorists launched 12 rockets toward Israeli civilians in the city of Beersheba in southern Israel. The rockets were launched from near tents of evacuated Gazan civilians in Rafah in southern Gaza and from next to United Nations facilities,” the IDF said in a statement.
It said a rocket was also fired three hours earlier “from inside a humanitarian zone. The rocket misfired, putting many Gazan civilians at risk.”
The evacuation zones are areas designated by the IDF as safe for civilians within the Gaza Strip.
Military says terror group launched projectiles from next to tents housing civilians; troops push further into Khan Younis, Jabaliya; 5 soldiers killed, taking ground op toll to 89
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