In Tel Aviv, sirens were sounded to warn of incoming rockets fired by Palestinian factions in response to the intensive Israeli airstrikes targeting the Gaza Strip, with the Iron Dome intercepting many. Al-Qassam Brigades announced that an Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the death of prominent military leader Ayman Nofel, stating that Nofel was "a member of the general military council and the commander of the central brigade in Al-Qassam."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that "Hamas fighters have two options: either they will perish in their positions or surrender unconditionally," adding, "There is no third option; we will obliterate Hamas and dismantle all its capabilities." Al-Qassam Brigades reported "bombing Tel Aviv with a rocket barrage in response to the Israeli massacres against civilians." Additionally, Al-Quds Brigades launched a rocket attack towards Beersheba in retaliation for the Israeli forces' massacres against civilians.
Conversely, a senior Israeli official revealed that "Israel has attacked around 5,000 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip since October 7, canceling a 'large number' of other strikes in an effort to avoid civilian casualties among Palestinians." The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported a temporary halt of flights from Tel Aviv following rocket fire towards central Israel.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that "approximately 3,000 Palestinians have died and 12,500 others have been injured in the Gaza Strip since October 7." It also reported that "61 Palestinians have died and 1,250 have been injured in the West Bank during the same period." Additionally, it was stated that parts of the European Gaza Hospital and a UAE field hospital were damaged due to Israeli shelling at the entrance of Gaza Hospital on Salah al-Din Street.
According to the media office of the Hamas government in Gaza, "the number of child fatalities due to Israeli attacks on the Strip since October 7 has risen to 940, and the number of female fatalities has reached 1,032." A Hamas spokesperson noted that "Israeli prisoners are facing the same danger that our people in Gaza are living through, and our will is stronger and more resilient than Israeli might; our enemy will be defeated, regardless of how long the battle lasts." He pointed out that "more than 70% of martyrs from the Israeli bombardment in Gaza are women and children."
At least 25 people, including children and women, were killed and dozens injured early Tuesday due to Israeli shelling targeting a house in Rafah, while 23 people were killed and 50 others injured in Khan Yunis. The Interior Ministry in Gaza reported that at least 49 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on homes in Khan Yunis and Rafah the previous night. Palestinian sources indicated that "Israeli aircraft targeted a bakery in a crowded area of Khan Yunis while many were lining up to buy bread." In Rafah, the bombardment hit the five-story home of the Zaarab family located near the Kuwaiti hospital.
The Gaza Strip has been subjected to intense Israeli bombardment since the Hamas movement and other Palestinian factions launched "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" on October 7. "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" was met with the Israeli "Iron Swords" operation, with the Israeli army conducting airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which is home to over two million Palestinians suffering from deteriorating living conditions due to an ongoing Israeli blockade since 2006. The toll from the Israeli bombardment has reached 2,808 dead and nearly 11,000 injured in the Strip, with 58 dead and over 1,250 injured in the West Bank. On the Israeli side, more than 1,300 people have been killed, including 291 officers and soldiers, while Hamas has taken more than 120 Israelis captive.
