gaza war update Hamas launches 3 rockets at Tel Aviv after IDF starts fresh ground offensive in northern Gaza

The terror organization Hamas launched three rockets at the greater Tel Aviv area on Thursday afternoon, shortly after the Israeli army announced an expanded ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it successfully intercepted one projectile and two others fell in open areas.

While there were no reports of injuries, the police confirmed at least one large piece of shrapnel landed in the greater Tel Aviv area, and said officers would continue to search the area for other shrapnel pieces.

Sirens in central Israel from Hamas rockets fired from the south, 3 rockets fired. 1 intercepted with some shrapnel falling in Rishon Lezion, 2 fell in open areas. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/TWLnfh923A

— Emily Schrader - אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) March 20, 2025

Hamas quickly claimed responsibility for its first attack on central Israel since Oct. 7, 2024, saying it “bombed Tel Aviv with M90 missiles in response to the massacres against civilians.”

Hamas-affiliated sources claimed 85 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes since Thursday morning.

The rocket launches came shortly after the IDF announced the expansion of ground operations in northern Gaza after it already moved additional troops into the Netzarim Corridor on Wednesday.

“IDF forces have begun ground operations in recent hours on the coastal axis in the Beit Lahia area in the northern Gaza Strip,” the military stated.

“Prior to the operation, the IDF and Shin Bet attacked Hamas terror infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch sites in the Beit Lahia area.”

According to Israeli media reports, the new offensive is led by the 188th Armored Brigade. Palestinian sources also reported attacks by helicopter gunships in the southern town of Rafah.

“At the same time, the IDF and Shin Bet continued to attack dozens of terror targets of terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip during the night. As part of the attacks, fighter jets and aircraft attacked dozens of terrorists from the terrorist organizations, military structures, weapons and additional terror infrastructure that posed a threat to IDF forces and the State of Israel,” the military added.

“Our forces are attacking throughout the Gaza Strip even at this time and will continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”