Israel began 2024 under rocket fire as Hamas launched more than 20 projectiles at southern and central regions of the country, according to reports. The Iron Dome defense system intercepted most of the incoming missiles, though sirens blared across cities including Ashdod, Sderot, Rehovot, and Lod, as well as in Ness Ziona, Holon, and Modiin. There haven’t been any recorded injuries, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service.
The attacks followed a week of intensifying military operations in Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in central areas. In a message posted in Arabic on X, the IDF directed civilians in 15 designated blocks south of Wadi Gaza—including the Al-Bureij refugee camp—to relocate to shelters in Deir al-Balah. The evacuation notice specified that the suspension of military activities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. was intended to facilitate the movement of displaced persons. The IDF’s instructions also included warnings about the risks of remaining in areas marked for evacuation.
Related: HP Elitebook X G2i Review Balances Power and Style
The IDF warned against using the central Salah Al-Din road due to ongoing clashes near Khan Younis, instead directing movement along a western bypass route. The IDF will allow the humanitarian movement of civilians through the bypass axis west of Khan Younis.
Underground, the IDF claimed another tactical victory after uncovering and destroying three Hamas tunnel shafts near Rantisi Hospital and an adjacent high school. The tunnels, described as dozens of meters deep, form part of an extensive network linking the hospital to Gaza City. The discovery highlighted the challenges of urban warfare in densely populated areas, where civilian infrastructure often intersects with military objectives. Rantisi Hospital, a pediatric facility, had previously been a point of contention, with the IDF alleging that Hamas used its premises for military purposes, while humanitarian groups warned that such claims risked undermining the protection of medical facilities under international law. The tunnels, according to the IDF, were equipped with reinforced concrete walls and ventilation systems, suggesting they were designed for prolonged use by militants. The proximity of the shafts to the hospital and school raised questions about the extent to which Hamas had integrated its operations into civilian spaces, a tactic that complicated Israel’s efforts to minimize collateral damage while targeting militant infrastructure.
Related: BW Businessworld unveils latest market insights
Soldiers from the 162nd Division’s 401st Brigade, alongside naval commandos and the elite Yahalom engineering unit, mapped the tunnels using specialized equipment. The operation revealed a sprawling underground system spanning several kilometers, connecting the hospital to strategic locations in Gaza City. Yahalom, a specialized combat engineering unit, has been central to Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas’ tunnel infrastructure, employing a range of tools including ground-penetrating radar, robotic scouts, and explosive charges to neutralize the networks. The unit’s involvement in the Rantisi Hospital operation showed the complexity of the task, as the tunnels were not only deep but also branched into multiple directions, requiring precise mapping to avoid unintended structural damage to the hospital above. The IDF’s use of naval commandos, typically associated with maritime operations, suggested a cross-disciplinary approach to addressing the tunnel threat, with the commandos likely providing expertise in breaching and securing underground pathways. The discovery of the network’s scale—linking the hospital to key areas in Gaza City—reinforced the IDF’s assertion that Hamas had developed an elaborate subterranean system to evade detection and maintain operational mobility.
While the IDF frames these discoveries as evidence of Hamas’ use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes, the group has long denied such claims, arguing that tunnels serve as vital supply routes under siege conditions. Hamas officials have maintained that the tunnels are a necessary response to the blockade imposed on Gaza, allowing the movement of goods and people when above-ground routes are restricted. The group’s narrative emphasizes the tunnels’ role in circumventing what it describes as an illegal blockade, though Israel and international observers have pointed to evidence of their use for military activities, including the transport of weapons and the movement of fighters. The debate over the tunnels’ purpose reflects broader disagreements about the nature of the conflict, with Israel portraying them as a threat to its security and Hamas framing them as a survival mechanism. The destruction of the shafts near Rantisi Hospital, while tactically significant for the IDF, did little to resolve the underlying dispute, as Hamas has historically demonstrated an ability to rapidly rebuild or reroute its underground networks.
Related: NSE Scam Investigation Collapses
The latest strikes and evacuations suggest the conflict shows no signs of slowing as both sides dig in—above and below ground. For civilians in Gaza, the repeated displacement orders have created a state of perpetual uncertainty. In Israel, the rocket attacks serve as a reminder that despite the Iron Dome’s effectiveness, the threat of sudden violence remains a constant. The system, while highly advanced, is not infallible, and its success rate depends on factors such as the volume of incoming fire and the accuracy of the projectiles. Meanwhile, the IDF’s continued operations in Gaza indicate a determination to degrade Hamas’ military capabilities, even as the group adapts its tactics to counter Israel’s advances.
Back in Israel, the new year’s rocket barrage served as a reminder that despite the Iron Dome’s effectiveness, the threat of sudden attacks remains constant. For now, the sirens have fallen silent, but the cycle of strikes and counterstrikes continues unbroken.