The Israel Defense Forces assess that the radical Palestinian movement Hamas is likely responsible for the bombing that affected the country. The assessment comes amid a broader effort to establish a clear line of responsibility and to understand the intent behind the attack. Officials emphasize that the investigation continues, with intelligence and field evidence guiding their conclusions. [CITATION: IDF assessment briefing]
Authorities indicate that inquiries into possible Iranian involvement are ongoing. At this stage, no definitive data has been released to confirm or exclude Tehran’s role, and investigators are pursuing multiple leads in parallel. Regional dynamics and historical patterns are under review as part of a comprehensive risk assessment. [CITATION: interim security briefing]
On February 23, Israeli forces responded to the rocket fire from Gaza with coordinated strikes aimed at degrading capabilities linked to Hamas and other militant groups. The operation reflected a strategy to deter further aggression while minimizing civilian harm, with commanders citing initial assessments of the threat level at the time. [CITATION: military operations update]
The Israel Defense Forces reported that air force assets targeted a weapons production facility located in central Gaza and a military compound associated with Hamas in the northern sector. The strikes were part of a broader campaign to disrupt infrastructure that supports militant activity and to degrade command and control capabilities used to coordinate attacks against Israeli communities. [CITATION: IDF press release]
According to official statements, six rockets were launched toward Israel from Gaza, with air defense systems intercepting five of them. The remaining projectile did not cause reported damage, while interception barriers performed as designed to protect populated areas. The episode underscores ongoing regional volatility and the readiness of defense networks to respond. [CITATION: defense ministry update]
During the early morning hours of February 23, sirens sounded across several Israeli cities, notably Sderot and Ashkelon, and spread to areas adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Residents were urged to seek shelter as warning systems activated, reflecting the persistent risk of escalation and the importance of rapid protective actions in affected communities. [CITATION: civil defense briefings]