Dec 25, 2019 - World

Israel strikes back after Gaza rocket forces Netanyahu's evacuation

Rebecca Falconer

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on after lighting a Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in the Old City of Jerusalem on December 22 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on after lighting a Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in the Old City of Jerusalem on Dec. 22. Photo: Sebastian Scheiner/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

After local media reported a rocket fired from Gaza forced the evacuation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday, the Israel Defense Force tweeted it' "struck a number of Hamas terror targets in Gaza" in response.

Why it matters: The developments come after Netanyahu promised supporters that he'd "convince President Trump to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and all settlements on the West Bank if he wins Thursday's primary to lead the Likud Party." per Barak Ravid of Israel's Channel 13, writing for Axios.

Details: The IDF said it used its air defense system, the Iron Dome, to intercept the Gazan rocket fired into southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, 7.5 miles from the coastal Palestinian enclave. There were no immediate claims of responsibility.

Israeli fighter jets and helicopters conducted multiple strikes against Hamas early Thursday local time, per AP, which notes "no casualties were reported as the sites have been empty."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Israel strikes back after Gaza rocket forces Netanyahu's evacuation

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