At least four rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip just after midnight on Saturday, the Israeli military said, as President Joe Biden remains in the region.
President Biden left Israel for Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with leaders of Egypt, Iraq and the UAE
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the rocket attack in a series of tweets, including a video showing the moment the IDF missile defense system shot one rocket out of the air.
“Sirens sounding in southern Israel,” read an initial tweet.
In a follow-up tweet, the IDF said it responded to the rocket attack by targeting a Hamas rocket production site.
“In response to the rockets fired from Gaza at Israel tonight, we targeted one of Hamas’ most significant rocket production sites in Gaza,” the IDF said. “This strike will significantly impede Hamas’ force-building capabilities.”
RAW FOOTAGE: This is the moment innocent Israelis had to run for immediate shelter when terrorists in Gaza fired 2 rockets toward them.
The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted 1 of the rockets, saving the lives of civilians below. pic.twitter.com/1XANHbEpAo
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 15, 2022
Rocket sirens were heard in the southern coastal city of Ashkelon, the Times of Israel reported.
The IDF added: “We will continue to defend Israeli civilians from Hamas’ terrorism.”
IDF says it struck an underground Hamas rocket manufacturing facility in the Gaza Strip, in response to the rocket attacks on southern Israel. In total, 4 rockets were launched from Gaza tonight, 1 was intercepted.
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 16, 2022
The IDF later announced that four rockets, in total, were fired into Israel.
In response to these attacks aimed at Israeli civilians, our fighter jets struck an additional Hamas weapons manufacturing site in Gaza.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 16, 2022
No terror group in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has claimed credit for the attack. Similar rocket fire happened in 2020 when Israel signed a peace agreement with the UAE and Bahrain, the Times of Israel reported.
The rockets came hours after President Biden visited Israel and the West Bank, and shortly after he announced a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
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“At the end of this meeting, the two sides issued this communique outlining the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States over the coming decades with the aim of advancing their mutual interests and advancing a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East,” the White House said.
Biden spent three days in Israel before he traveled to Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Sirens sounding in southern Israel
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 16, 2022
The president arrived in Jeddah Friday before noon Eastern time at King Abdulaziz International Airport, when he became the first U.S. president to complete a direct Israel-to-Saudi Arabia flight.
The president left the airport for a meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Said at the Al Salam Royal Palace. Biden and his team also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Ministers.
Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/ZZIgRPap79
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 15, 2022
