Hamas Fires Rockets at Israeli Cities; Israel Orders Evacuations in Gaza
Hamas fired rockets at southern Israeli cities on April 6, 2025, prompting Israeli retaliation and evacuation orders in parts of Gaza.
Published on April 7, 2025
On April 6, 2025, Hamas fired a series of rockets toward southern Israeli cities, including a direct hit in Ashkelon that caused at least one injury. The attack was launched in response to what Hamas described as acts of mass violence against civilians in Gaza, with about 10 rockets fired, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems.
In retaliation, Israeli forces struck the rocket launch sites while Israeli airstrikes in Gaza reportedly killed at least 39 people, according to local health authorities. Amid warnings of further imminent attacks, evacuation orders were issued for parts of Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, en route to a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, directed a vigorous military response following the collapse of a ceasefire initiated on January 19, 2025.