The press service of the Israel Defense Forces reported that Palestinian militant groups based in the Gaza Strip fired rockets into Israeli territory on Sunday after a period of relative quiet, according to dispatches cited by TASS. The spokespersons indicated that a rocket launch occurred from Gaza and the weapon landed in an open area inside Israel, with interceptor missiles not engaged by the defense system as per the current protocol. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the region and the challenges of securing a durable ceasefire after a pause in hostilities. (Source attribution: Israel Defense Forces press service)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that during the operation known as Shield and Arrow in the Gaza Strip, the armed forces dismantled the entire Palestinian militant network associated with Islamic Jihad, a group banned in Russia. In his remarks, Netanyahu claimed that the army and security services acted with surprise and initiative in carrying out the campaign and that these strategic goals were achieved. He noted that the campaign’s impact was amplified by the operational tempo and the element of unpredictability that characterized the actions taken. Netanyahu’s assessment reflected a broad confidence in the military’s effectiveness and the intelligence community’s role in guiding the operation. (Source attribution: Israeli government communications)
Additionally, Netanyahu emphasized that the claims of success were reinforced as the operation progressed, indicating a belief that the campaign achieved clear outcomes on the ground. The comments come in the context of a long-standing debate in Israeli political circles over how best to deter cross-border threats and respond to rocket fire from Gaza. (Source attribution: Israeli government communications)
Earlier developments included an agreement by Israel to a ceasefire with Islamic Jihad in Gaza, a move that temporarily reduced the rate of hostilities and created space for diplomatic and humanitarian considerations. The cessation of fighting, framed as a tactical pause, allowed negotiators and regional observers to assess the next steps in a volatile security landscape while monitoring for potential violations by any side. (Source attribution: regional security briefings)