Middle East conflict: Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip cross Israel a day before the anniversary of the Hamas attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Sunday, marking a new escalation in tensions just a day earlier first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack.

“Several projectiles were identified that entered Israeli territory from the northern Gaza Strip. One projectile was intercepted and the rest fell in open areas,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

As Israel prepares for the anniversary of last year’s unprecedented attack by Hamas militants, its military remains on high alert.

Tensions between Israel and Hamas rose again even as thousands of people around the world took to the streets on Sunday demanding an end to the carnage in Gaza. Reuters news agency reported.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinian protesters marched through central London earlier in the day, demanding an end to violence in Gaza. Similar pro-Palestinian protests took place in cities such as Paris, Rome, Manila, Cape Town and New York.

In Washington, protesters gathered near the White House to voice their opposition to U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, in New York’s Times Square, demonstrators held banners calling for an arms embargo on Israel and chanted slogans such as: “Gaza, Lebanon, you will rise; the people are at your side.”

In the attack on October 7, 2023, around 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 people were taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel launched a fierce military campaign in Gaza that has since led to the deaths of nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The conflict has displaced almost the entire population of the enclave of 2.3 million and triggered a severe hunger crisis.

(With contributions from agencies)