Palestinian armed groups in Gaza launched about 20 rockets towards Israeli border communities, marking the heaviest attack in months.

Some projectiles were intercepted, and others landed in southern Israel without causing injuries.

The Israeli military responded with artillery fire. Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility, citing Israeli “crimes.”

The attack coincided with intense fighting in Shejaiya, Gaza, and the death of an Israeli soldier in Rafah, BBC News has reported.

Israeli troops are engaged in a challenging campaign against Hamas, following an attack on southern Israel on October 7 that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.

Since then, over 37,900 people have been killed in Gaza, including 23 in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Written by B.C. Begley