IAF downs Gaza rocket

The Israeli Air Force intercepted a projectile launched by Palestinian terrorists from the central Gaza Strip on Sunday night, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The attack triggered sirens as per protocol, and no injuries or damage were reported.

Last Sunday afternoon, terrorists fired two rockets from Gaza into Israel, both of which fell in open areas, according to the IDF.

IDF hits rocket launchers, continues Gaza operations

The IDF said on Monday that soldiers over the past 24 hours struck many rocket launchers aimed at Israel in southern Gaza.

In parallel, forces in northern and central Gaza continued dismantling terrorist infrastructure above and below ground, eliminating terrorists and targeting additional military sites in support of ground operations.

Last week, IDF troops from the Kfir Brigade identified an armed terrorist cell operating near the “Old Cemetery” in Khan Yunis, the military said in an earlier update Monday.

The unit coordinated an airstrike that eliminated the cell, later recovering rifles, RPGs, grenades and explosives from the site. In a separate action, the troops dismantled rocket launchers in the area. The IDF stated that operations in Gaza continue under the Southern Command to counter terrorist threats and protect Israeli civilians.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Sunday that the military had approved plans for the next stage of the war in Gaza, and “will continue striking until Hamas is defeated, with the hostages constantly in our sight.”

During a visit to IDF Southern Command headquarters in Beersheva, Zamir said that the military would “soon” move to the next stage of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots, “during which we will continue to deepen the damage against Hamas in Gaza City until its defeat.”

Tobacco smuggling to Gaza under aid cover

Israeli police arrested two truck drivers near the Kissufim crossing on Aug. 13 after discovering they were attempting to smuggle large amounts of tobacco and cigarettes, worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, into Gaza disguised as humanitarian aid.

The drivers—residents of Daburiyya and Zarzir—were detained, and the trucks and goods were transferred for inspection by customs officials.