Last week’s rocket fire on Tel Aviv reflects schism within Hamas
To avoid escalation ahead of the April elections and the Eurovision contest, Israel accepted Hamas’ explanation over the rocket fire on Tel Aviv last week.
![ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/AIRSTRIKES Palestinians pass near the destroyed Hamas site following Israeli air strikes, in Gaza City March 15, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem - RC1DEBFDC9E0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/03/RTX6RB42.jpg/RTX6RB42.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ECA45mx6)
The firing of two rockets on Tel Aviv on March 14, a bit after 9 p.m., caught the Israeli defense apparatus by surprise. At that moment, senior Hamas members were meeting with an Egyptian delegation in Gaza; they were exchanging messages and opinions about Israel’s elections, and also agreed to continue to receive Qatari assistance. Simultaneously, Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman was in Cairo. He presented Egyptian intelligence officers with the views of the Israeli political echelon regarding a Gaza arrangement in the near future, as well as temporary solutions for the Strip until after the Israeli elections on April 9, when its political system will stabilize.