Hamas attempted to fire two rockets at Tel Aviv and central Israel on Tuesday, but failed with one of them landing in the Mediterranean Sea and one of them failing to even leave the Gaza Strip.
Citizens in Tel Aviv and other parts of central Israel heard sounds of explosions, initially creating confusion until the IDF clarified the situation.
According to the IDF, the rocket which landed in the Sea was immediately detected, but the IDF did not activate any alarms because it was apparent from the start that its entire trajectory was flying only over the Sea.
Likewise, no siren was sounded for the second detected rocket because it did not cross into Israeli territory.
Shortly after the rockets were fired, Hamas claimed responsibility and tried to spin the failed rocket attack into a success.
Hamas claims responsibility
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said that the terror group's Al-Qassam Brigades "bombard Tel Aviv and its suburbs with two M90 missiles [long-range rocket reaching 90 k.m.] in response to the Zionist massacres against civilians and the deliberate displacement of our people," in a statement on the terror groups Telegram channel.
In contrast, IDF sources have suggested that in many instances like the current one, Hamas will fire off rockets even if they have no chance of hitting anything rather than allow the rockets to be captured by nearby IDF forces, such as IDF Division 98 which is currently maneuvering in Khan Yunis.