Palestinian terror groups led by Hamas launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli civilians Saturday and Sunday, part of an escalation that began when Palestinians fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli jeep traveling along Israel's border with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

 

The subsequent Hamas-led rocket barrage against Israeli civilians, which is ongoing, has forced more than 1 million Israeli civilians into bomb shelters. Schools for tens of thousands of children were closed, and residents close to Gaza have been ordered to remain within 15 seconds of shelters – the maximum amount of time they have to run for cover when radar detects incoming rockets and triggers air-raid sirens.

The initial anti-tank missile attack injured four Israeli soldiers, including two seriously, and triggered Israeli tank fire in response against the source of the missile and against pre-set military targets inside the Gaza Strip. Four Palestinians were killed and another 25 wounded, and Hamas has reportedly ordered its forces away from Hamas facilities in anticipation of further direct Israeli responses.

Hamas propaganda outlets, including Hamas's TV stations, tried to downplay the role of the anti-tank missile attack in triggering this weekend's violence and attempted to push for media coverage focusing on Israel's response.