Gaza Rockets Launched Before October 7; Khamenei Warns Israel

As Israeli forces remain on standby ahead of the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday warned Israel that it would launch attacks against Israel once more if required.

Meanwhile, Israel intercepted rockets fired from northern Gaza and neutralized a shooter in Beersheba.

Khamenei in a series of tweets also appeared to attack the US and other Muslim nations in the West Asia region as well, in a jibe to those who have normalized relations with Israel.

The unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian group resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

One year later, the war in Gaza continues while Israel has shifted its focus north to Lebanon and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Israeli military said it had killed around 440 Hezbollah fighters “from the ground and from the air” since Monday, when troops began “targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel says it aims to allow tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by almost a year of Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel to return home.

Here Are The Latest Updates From Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah War:

The Israeli military said that rockets fired from northern Gaza crossed into southern Israel on Sunday, a day ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, in a social media post, said there is need to strengthen defenses and safeguard independence and dignity across Islamic nations, from Afghanistan to Yemen, Iran to Gaza, and Lebanon. He said that the enemies of Iran are the same as those of Palestinians, Lebanese, Iraqis, Egyptians, Syrians, and Yemenis, though their tactics differ from country to country.

‘Pursues Policies With A Smile’: Khamenei, in an apparent reference to Arab nations that normalized relations with Israel, said Israel uses various methods from country-to-country. “In some they use 2-ton bombs. But in others, they pursue policies with smiles,” he said.

One Command Centre: In what may have been an apparent reference to the US, Khamenei said ‘the command center is 1 place’ and ‘they receive orders to attack Muslims from one place’.

Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said one person was killed and 10 others were wounded in a stabbing and shooting attack in the southern city of Beersheba.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for “a halt to arms exports for use in Gaza,” saying it’s urgent to avoid escalating tensions in the region, his office said.