One of the missiles launched by Hamas on Thursday was timed to coincide with a test of the “Color Red” rocket warning system between Ashdod and Gedera, defense officials said Thursday night. The missile struck just eight minutes after the warning system was to have gone off as a test.

The warning system did not sound when expected, and when it activated eight minutes later due to the incoming rocket many residents did not take cover, thinking the alert was the drill they had been warned about. IDF officers said the timing appeared to be deliberate, and almost achieved its goal of allowing Hamas to strike civilians unaware.