Al-Qassam Brigades launched a rocket barrage towards Ashkelon at 5 PM Tuesday, following a deadline set by the military wing of Hamas for residents to evacuate the city.

Al-Qassam Brigades stated, "The deadline has ended... You have been warned," in response to the targeting of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Spokesperson Abu Ubaida stated that this decision is in retaliation "for the enemy's crime of displacing our people and forcing them to evacuate their homes in several areas of the Gaza Strip," adding.

Monday, Abu Ubaida emphasized that the threat and pressure exerted by the Israeli Occupation government and its forces aimed to compel the Al-Qassam Brigades into negotiations regarding prisoners under fire.