Hamas Launches Rocket Attack on Israeli Cities at Stroke of Midnight on New Year’s Eve

Hamas opened 2024 by firing at least 27 rockets into Israel, aimed at the south and center of the country, as Israelis sought to celebrate the new year.

The barrage was timed for the stroke of midnight, The Times of Israel reported, but air defense systems managed to put a stop to most of the rockets.

They intercepted 18 missiles, whole nine fell in open areas, the outlet said.

Israel Defense Forces said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that there was no "happy" new year until all the hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza were home.

Sirens had sounded in Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Holon, Lod, and Modiin, Ashdod, Sderot and other southern towns while Israelis were seeing in the new year.

One man in Tel Aviv told the BBC that he saw the defense systems intercepting rockets.

"I was terrified, like it was the first time I saw missiles. It's terrifying," he said.

Footage showed Israel's "Iron Dome" missiles intercepting the rockets, seemingly above residential areas.

Hamas later claimed responsibility for the attack, which did not lead to any injuries.

The barrage came as the Israeli military said it would shift thousands of troops from Gaza as the focus shifts to the south of the territory.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reports that 21,978 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7, sparked by Hamas' attack on Israel which killed around 1,200 and lead to about 240 people taken hostage.