On Saturday, Israeli media reported that sirens sounded across dozens of settlements west of occupied al-Quds, followed by a loud explosion in central occupied Palestine.

According to "Israel's" Channel 12, two rockets were launched from northern Gaza toward Al-Quds, causing hundreds of thousands of settlers to flee to shelters. "Two rockets were launched from Gaza toward the [al-Quds] area," Israeli news website Walla reported, adding, "It is unclear whether they were intercepted or not."

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed the launch, stating, "Two rockets were launched from Gaza toward the hills of [al-Quds] and surrounding plains, with attempts made to intercept them; details are under investigation."

⚡️The first moments of rockets being launched from Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, towards #Jerusalem. #Iraq #Syria #Hezbollah #Beirut #Lebanon #Israel #Hamas #Gaza #Yemen #Iran #Tehran #IRGC pic.twitter.com/ZAEBFFF3GJ

— War Analysis (@iiamguri9) December 28, 2024

Israeli media reflected on the event, highlighting Gaza's ongoing capability to strike the occupied territories despite military efforts. "After 449 days since the war, Gaza still has the ability to fire rockets toward [al-Quds]," one report noted.

A Channel 13 correspondent explained, "The rockets targeting [al-Quds] were launched from the Beit Hanoun area, where the Israeli army is present," describing the launch as an unexpected move, given repeated Israeli incursions in the area.

Read more: Day 449 in Gaza: 45,484 killed, 108,090 injured by 'Israel'

Rocket Proximity

Reports further revealed that the rockets were launched just 300 meters away from Israeli military forces in Beit Hanoun, as confirmed by Yedioth Ahronoth. An Army Radio correspondent remarked, "The surprising aspect of the rocket launches toward [al-Quds] is the area they were fired from—not the central sector or Khan Younis, but Beit Hanoun, where the Israeli army has been operating for a year and has conducted repeated ground operations."

Channel 13 also reported that Hamas still possesses rockets capable of reaching Yafa and al-Quds. Following the incident, sources from the Israeli military's southern command told Walla, "The organizations in Gaza have more medium-range rockets and are working to rebuild their capabilities in rockets and mortar shells."

This marks the first time long-range rockets have targeted illegal al-Quds settlements since December of last year, according to Israeli media.