| Conflict: | April 2023 Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel |
| Place: | Israel, Gaza, Southern Lebanon, and Syria |
| Partof: | Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel |
| Combatant1: | Palestinian GroupsAlleged Support |
| Combatant2: |  Israel |
| Date: | 5–9 April 2023 |
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Following clashes at Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, many rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, Southern Lebanon, and Syria by Palestinian militants. This led to the bombing of these areas by the IDF.
See main article: Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
Since 2001, Palestinian groups have frequently fired rockets and mortars into Israel proper, targeting mostly civilians and triggering retaliatory strikes.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Most rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah launched a large amount of rockets from Lebanon to Israel.[7] Since the end of the war, attacks from Lebanon have been less common than attacks from Gaza.
See main article: 2023 Al-Aqsa clashes. There were increased tensions at Temple Mount/Al Aqsa between Muslims and Jews during April 2023 as there was an overlap between the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Passover.This led to worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque to barricade themselves inside on 5 April.[8] Israeli police stormed the Mosque to dislodge the "law-breaking youths and masked agitators". Armed worshippers responded with stones and fireworks.[9] Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas.[10] 50 people were injured and 350 were arrested.
The attacks were condemned across the Arab world. Hamas slammed the raid and called on West Bank Palestinians to defend Al Aqsa.[11]
On day of the Al-Aqsa Violence, the IDF said 12 rockets were fired towards Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Earlier in the day, 10 rockets were fired. 5 fell in open fields. One fell on a factory in Sderot, leaving no casualties.
Two were reported to be fired later that day.[12]
See main article: 2023 Israel–Lebanon shellings. On 6 April 2023, Israel claimed that more than 34 rockets had been fired from Lebanon, with 25 intercepted and a minimum 4 landing in Israel. This was the largest escalation of violence at the Israel-Lebanon border since 2006.
An Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee blamed Hamas for the incident. He also said that possible Iranian involvement in the attacks was being investigated.[13]
The attacks came as the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs met in Beirut.[14] [15] Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said that Hezbollah and Lebanon also shared some responsibility[16]
The Israeli military said that two salvoes of rocket fire between 9–10 April towards the occupied Golan Heights. 3 rockets were launched in the first, one hit southern Golan. In the second, 2 rockets were fires, and one was intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system.
It was reported that the Liwa al-Quds, a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime (not to be confused with the Al-Quds Brigades), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IDF said Syria was responsible for such attacks.[17]
In response to the attacks, Israel carried out strikes towards the source of the rockets. This hit both civilian and military targets.
An IDF spokesman said that they had targeted 10 sites in Gaza, which included production sites, research and development sites, and tunnel infrastructure. The IDF said that it had carried out strikes at Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that a children's hospital was damaged, causing distress among the young patients.[18]
Strikes in Lebanon took place south of Tyre. Early on 7 April, explosions were reported around the Rashideh refugee camp, 5 km from Tyre. The village of Al-Qulaila was also reported to be hit by the strikes, and pictures showed a small bridge was destroyed.[19]
Israel said that a drone had hit the rocket launchers in Syria. Israeli warplanes also struck targets belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces. The Syrian military said that it had intercepted some missiles, but damage did occur.