An IDF graphic showing the trajectory of the rocket that fell short in Gaza on January 8, 2026. (Photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN
The military noted that it discovered the launch coming from Gaza City and that it responded quickly by hitting the source of the fire.
Terrorists in Gaza tried to launch a rocket at Israel on Thursday, but the projectile fell short and almost hit a hospital, the IDF said.
The military noted that it discovered the launch coming from Gaza City and that it responded quickly by hitting the source of the fire.
“The IDF strongly condemns any attempt by terrorist organizations to execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel,” the military stated.
The IDF published footage of the strike on the rocket launcher that fired the projectile, along with an infographic showing the trajectory of the rocket that misfired.
According to the chart, the rocket landed approximately 140 meters from the hospital mentioned in the statement.
IDF graphic showing the trajectory of the rocket that fell short in Gaza on January 8, 2026. (Credit: IDF SPEAKER UNIT)
The Otef Israel Forum responded to the statement of the IDF, saying that the government is still confused about how to act towards an enemy and chooses to suppress instead of destroy.”
“Every enemy must be eliminated down to the infrastructure,” continued the forum, and claimed that “the objective of decisively defeating Hamas is getting further away from implementation every day.”
IDF hits the Hamas shaft with a rocket aimed at Sderot
The IDF action came less than a week after it carried out an attack on a Hamas tunnel shaft in northern Gaza that it said contained a rocket launcher that was loaded and ready to fire in the southern Israeli town of Sderot.
“The shaft was used by Hamas to hide a rocket launcher that was ready to fire towards southern Israel and posed an immediate threat to Israeli civilians,” the IDF stated at the time.
The military continued to slam the terrorist organization for violating the ceasefire, while noting that the launcher’s load was a violation of the agreement made by the United States.
Since it was implemented, Hamas has violated the agreement several times, including a number of incidents of terrorists crossing the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip and advancing on IDF troops operating in the area.
In addition, Hamas’ continued and public refusal to disarm and step aside from the governance of Gaza marks a further violation of the agreement.