116 Rockets Fired at Israel From Humanitarian Zone in Gaza

Latest Developments

Terrorists have fired 116 rockets at Israel from a humanitarian zone in Gaza since mid-October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on December 13. The humanitarian zone was designated by the IDF for civilians in Gaza on October 18, and many Gazans have moved there since fighting began in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.

“Since its opening and until today [December 13], 116 rockets have been fired from the humanitarian zone toward the State of Israel,” the IDF said. Thirty-eight of the rockets fell inside the Gaza Strip, endangering Palestinian civilian lives, according to the IDF data, which was presented in an infographic distributed by the IDF. “Hamas continues to use the humanitarian zone to carry out terrorist activities, further endangering the lives of civilians in Gaza civilians and the State of Israel,” the IDF added.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas has used Gazan civilians as human shields over the last decade and a half that it has controlled Gaza. It tunneled under many civilian areas, creating a massive amount of terrorist infrastructure there. When Israel confronted Hamas in Gaza in the wake of its brutal surprise attack on October 7, the terrorist group sought to use civilians as human shields. Hamas has purposely fired rockets from a densely inhabited humanitarian zone to avoid retaliation and to continue to threaten Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Firing from a humanitarian zone should not come as a surprise, considering Hamas routinely chooses to launch rockets from civilian areas. As the Israeli military pushes terrorist groups further south, the desperate act of endangering Palestinian civilians by launching rockets will unfortunately persist.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hamas Terrorists Operate Near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Northern Gaza

The IDF said on December 14 that Israeli troops uncovered a building used by Hamas terrorists near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. “During engagements with terrorists in the area of the hospital, a number of terrorists were killed by IDF troops,” the IDF reported. In addition, 70 terrorists surrendered at the hospital itself. The IDF said they came out with weapons in hand and were apprehended.

Related Analysis

“Ten Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza Fighting,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Hospitals,” FDD Policy Insight

“Israel Recovers Remains of Two Additional Hostages,” FDD Flash Brief