YNET is reporting
As part of the operation, Israeli aircraft struck at least 20 rocket-launching pads belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Dozens of long-range rockets were destroyed, including Fajr-5 missiles. The destroyed rockets and missiles had a range of more than 40 kilometers.
The aerial strikes were accompanied by IDF tank fire at terror sites in Gaza. AFP reported that at least six Palestinians were killed in no less than 20 Israeli strikes in Gaza.
According to reports in Gaza, Israel also tried to kill Ra'ad al-Atar, another senior Izz al-Din al-Qassam commander. He apparently survived. The Palestinians reported that Israel attacked another top terrorist, but they did not release his name or say if he was killed in the strike.
Meanwhile, the IDF has decided to deploy additional infantry units in the south ahead of a possible ground offensive in Gaza. In addition, large IDF exercises have been halted and reserve soldiers have been called up.Haaretz is also live blogging this here: http://www.haaretz.com/...
Note: It is behind a pay wall so if you can't see it, I recommend the YNET Site for updates
So what does all of this mean... Well it all started last week when Israeli tanks and Patrols were operating on the border with Gaza. The Israelis claim it was a routine operation. At that time miltants for the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) fired an anti-tank missile into an Israeli Jeep wounding four Israeli soldiers. The Militants then fled into civilian Gaza.
Soon after the Israelis launched retaliatory air strikes which did kill some militants but also killed some civilians. In Gaza militants then started launching missiles into civilian areas of Israel. This has been going on for some time as I see pictures from a friends Kibbutz that has been getting shelled for a month.
What makes me think this is a major attack is that the Reserves have been called up and that troops in the South are on high alert.
What this means in the North and in the Sinai / Egypt - where Hamas founders the Muslim Brotherhood rule is anyone's guess. Right now the Egyptians have condemned the attack.
More to come.
10:32 AM PT: Update 1: HAMAS has stated: "No more Red Lines"...
12:08 PM PT: Egypt's Government is predictably condemning this:
And why look - our "Radical Islam Loving" President (/snark) showed just why he was the right choice for the Jewish people and for Israel despite the fevered lying of the Deranged Right Wing:
4:13 PM PT: Egypt has recalled it's ambassador to Israel and Israel has recalled it's ambassador to Egypt.
And this from the U.S.: http://www.ynetnews.com/...
Hamas is vowing to avenge the death of commander Ahmed Al-Jabari, who was killed in an airstrike earlier on Wednesday. Hamas official Ismail al-Ashqar said that the “resistance’s possibilities” are now open and include suicide bombings and high profile attacks inside Israeli cities.
http://www.ynetnews.com/...
“The resistance can cause Israel great misery,” he said. Shortly after the hit, a Color Red siren sounded in Hof Ashkelon and two rockets exploded in an open area. No injuries were reported.
12:08 PM PT: Egypt's Government is predictably condemning this:
"Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr condemned the series of air strikes that Israel is currently conducting against Gaza Strip and which led to the killing of Ahmed Jabari," the statement released by Egypt's foreign ministry said.
"He called on Israel to stop its strikes on Gaza Strip immediately," the statement added.
Also:
On Tuesday, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood sharply criticized Israeli leaders over airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, accusing them of heating up the conflict to score political points ahead of elections.
In its statement, the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party referred to Israel as a "Zionist occupier" and a "racist state," placing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on the "fringes" of the "far right."
"In the framework of elections that Israel is witnessing is a recent military escalation against occupied Gaza and the occupied Golan Heights," the statement said. Israel has set parliamentary elections for January 22.
Militants in Gaza have fired more than 110 rockets towards southern Israel since Saturday, when four soldiers were wounded in an anti-tank missile attack on an IDF jeep, and six Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing IDF strikes on the Gaza Strip in response.http://www.haaretz.com/...
And why look - our "Radical Islam Loving" President (/snark) showed just why he was the right choice for the Jewish people and for Israel despite the fevered lying of the Deranged Right Wing:
4:13 PM PT: Egypt has recalled it's ambassador to Israel and Israel has recalled it's ambassador to Egypt.
And this from the U.S.: http://www.ynetnews.com/...
We support Israel's right to defend itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid civilian casualties," US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We strongly condemn the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel, and we regret the death and injury of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians caused by the ensuing violence," he added.
No other nation in the world would be expected to take such provocations as Israel takes. You can bet that if terrorist groups were firing on our cities from either Canada or Mexico we would quickly demand, like any other country would, swift and decisive military action to end that fire. Unfortunately, once again, I think the world will turn a blind eye to Israel and seek to deny her the right to defend herself.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I just wish the IDF success in protecting Israel's citizens and sovereignty. The people of Ashkelon and S'derot and Be'er Sheva and the south are entitled to quiet. They are entitled to not have to run to a bomb shelter in 3 seconds while they're sleeping in bed at night or while they're in school or at work or anywhere else.
Yep... I agree but, with the latest round of attacks I think people understand what is happening a bit more. Sure the Gulf States, and the Arab Nations will whine and complain, and the Russians and Chinese will make noise in the U.N. because that is just what they do. BUT... I think with President Obama in the White House, the Israelis know they have a friend and our support.
ReplyDeleteYou are also absolutely right that the people of Ashkelon, S'derot and all of Southern Israel should just be left alone and not have to live their lives with the stress of constant rocket bombardment.
Enough is enough.
They certainly have a friend in President Obama and the support of the United States -- both of our government and of the people. We see what Israel faces and we stand by our democratic ally.
DeleteYep, I am waiting for the President's response. It would be nice if everything just stopped here and the Palestinians got the message that shelling Israeli towns and Kibbutzim are not going to achieve their goal. But the words of Abba Eban keep popping up in my head.
DeleteAt the same time, I hope that Israel figures out what it needs to do and gets going on this issue. The longer there is no peace deal the more chances there are to a much larger and painful war.
Abba Eban was a very wise man. Unfortunately, history proves him correct time and again.
DeleteI think the Israelis know what needs to be done, but it will be impossible for them to do so, so long as there is a belief that there is no true partner on the other side. Just as people believe Israel should talk about the reality of the situation, so too must the Palestinians.