Rocket launchers in Gaza. Credit: IDF
The rocket was one of two fired from Gaza, both of which landed inside Israeli territory in the Hof Ashkelon region. The second rocket landed in an open area.
The family whose house was hit by the rocket had just returned from lighting Chanukah candles at a relative’s home when a code red siren sounded, prompting the family to run to a bomb shelter. The rocket struck the home moments later and caused a large explosion.
No Gaza-based terror groups immediately claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.
The IDF stated that it carried out strikes in Gaza in response to the rocket fire, destroying six facilities belonging to the Hamas terror organization.
The incident came two days after a missile fired from Gaza landed back in the territory and struck a Palestinian home in Beit Hanoun. On Dec. 13, a rocket fired from Gaza damaged a school run by the United Nations refugee agency UNRWA in the same area.
Approximately 20 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since President Donald Trump’s Dec. 6 recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
