Reports from the conflict area indicate that Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, the armed wing linked to Hamas, conducted an attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon. The declaration came through an official statement on a Telegram channel associated with the group.
In a statement attributed to Hamas officials, the Al-Qassam Brigades claimed that rockets were launched at Ashkelon in retaliation for what they described as Zionist attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. The message framed the strike as a direct response to civilian harm in the enclave.
Independent coverage and military briefings have noted claims from Hamas that five Israeli tanks and an equivalent number of armored personnel carriers were targeted with Yasin 105 munitions. The assertions describe significant battlefield impacts, though independent verification remains limited in real time.
According to sources close to the conflict, the Israeli Defense Forces have reported a rising tally of casualties since the escalation began. The latest figures point to hundreds of IDF personnel having lost their lives, with the majority of fatalities occurring in southern Israel during the current phase of fighting.
The ceasefire framework that had been established to pause hostilities in the Gaza Strip saw the suspension of fighting for seven days, during which Hamas said it released 110 hostages. The ceasefire, negotiated in early December, provided a temporary lull as both sides evaluated further steps.
Officials within the IDF have indicated that operations in northern Gaza are approaching completion, signaling a potential shift in focus as the conflict evolves. The assessment reflects ongoing military planning and the fluid dynamics of the campaign.