Massive Rocket Barrage Begins — ~3,000 Rockets in Minutes

At 6:29 AM Israeli time (3:29 UTC), Hamas launched an unprecedented rocket barrage — firing an estimated 2,200–3,000 rockets toward southern and central Israel within the first 20 minutes. The barrage was designed to saturate and overwhelm Iron Dome batteries, particularly in the south. Red alert sirens sounded across the Gaza Envelope (Otef Aza), Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. Many Israelis initially assumed it was another routine escalation before ground infiltration became apparent.