IDF carries out widespread attacks on Gaza terror sites

Operation Pillar of Defense continues

IDF targets 320 terror sites. Over 300 rockets strike Israel, killing 3. Iron Dome intercepts 130 rockets. Updates here and on Twitter

Date: 16/11/2012, 5:25 AM Author: IDF Website

2:29 a.m.: Contrary to Hamas reports, no IDF unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been downed.

Thursday, November 15

11:30 p.m: Over the past 24 hours, the IDF has continued with Operation Pillar of Defense, targeting dozens of rocket launching sites and inflicting severe damage on the rocket launching capabilities of terror organizations operating in the Gaza Strip. In addition, IAF aircraft targeted several terrorist squads that were involved in firing rockets toward Israel. The aim of targeting these sites is to impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and hamper their continued build-up.

Since the start of the operation, the Israel Air Force has targeted 300 terror activity sites in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Armored Forces targeted terror activity sites in the northern Gaza Strip. This evening, Israeli Navy soldiers fired towards Hamas’ terror targets on the Gaza shoreline.

Over the past few days, hundreds of rockets were fired at Israeli communities. One rocket hit the central Israeli city of Rishon LeZion, home to some 200,000 residents, located approximately 60 km from the Gaza Strip. The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has successfully intercepted over 130 rockets launched from Gaza, aimed at Israel.

Hamas – which rules over the Gaza Strip – has turned it into a frontal base for Iran, forcing Israeli citizens to live under unbearable circumstances. The IDF is determined to continue targeting sites that are used to carry out terror attacks against Israeli citizens.

10:36 p.m.: Since yesterday, hundreds of rockets have struck Israel. Additionally, the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has intercepted 130 rockets, preventing them from striking populated areas in Israel.

During the same period, the IDF has targeted 320 terror activity sites in the Gaza Strip.

9:56 p.m.: During the past hour, during a rapid and coordinated military strike, the IDF targeted approximately 70 underground medium-range (up to 40 km) rocket launching sites in the Gaza Strip. Direct hits were confirmed.

The sites that have been targeted were positively identified by precise intelligence collected over the course of months. The aim of targeting these sites is to significantly impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.

7:46 p.m.: Since yesterday, the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has intercepted 105 rockets, preventing them from striking Israeli communities – while hundreds of rockets have struck Israel.

In the same period, the IDF has targeted 250 terror activity sites in the Gaza Strip.

7:23 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF Spokesperson Yoav (Poly) Mordechai addressed the media. He warned that tonight “will not be a quiet night” in the Gaza Strip.

7:06 p.m.: A short while ago, warning sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, sending residents running for shelter. However, no rockets struck the city.

6:30 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF Spokesperson Yoav (Poly) Mordechai addressed the media regarding Operation Pillar of Defense. “The IDF continues to operate surgically in the Gaza Strip – precise strikes, not against outposts, not against police stations, but against rocket-launching sites,” he said. “So far, a very harsh blow has been dealt to the long-range fire of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.”

5:09 p.m.: A short while ago, a rocket fired from Gaza struck an open area outside of the city of Rishon LeZion, home to over 200,000 citizens.

4:41 p.m.: Today, despite the heightened security concerns, Israel has admitted 14 Palestinians into its hospitals for medical treatment.

4:35 p.m.: Over the past day, IAF aircraft continued targeting over 100 rocket launching sites across the Gaza Strip, severely damaging rocket launching capabilities used by terror organizations.

Since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, over 200 terror activity sites have been targeted in the Gaza Strip. These sites are being targeted in order to impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and hamper their weapon build-up capabilities.

Additionally, IAF aircraft targeted several terrorist squads that were involved in firing rockets at Israeli communities.

Three Israeli citizens were killed today by a rocket that directly hit their home in Kiryat Malakhi. In addition, an infant was critically wounded. Three IDF soldiers were injured today by a rocket that exploded in their vicinity in southern Israel.

The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has successfully intercepted over 80 rockets launched from Gaza, aimed at Israel.

3:18 p.m.: A short while ago, three IDF soldiers were injured – two moderately and one lightly – by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. The three were evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva.

3:08 p.m.: Over the past 24 hours, the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has intercepted over 80 rockets headed toward southern Israeli communities.

11:10 a.m.: Since the start of Operation Pillar of Defense, the IDF has targeted 156 terror sites in the Gaza Strip.

The aim of targeting these sites is to impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and damage their further build-up.

9:20 a.m.: Update: A short while ago, 3 civilians were killed by a direct hit from a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.

8:56 a.m.: Moments ago, a house in southern Israel was directly hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. Over the last 24 hours, dozens of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have struck Israel. An additional 43 rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome system.

8:45 a.m.: In addition to the leaflets dispersed by the IDF over the Gaza Strip, over 20,000 phone calls have been made to warn the residents of the Gaza Strip to stay away from Hamas and other terror organizations’ operatives and facilities that pose a risk to their safety.

8:00 a.m.: The IAF has released a video of last night’s aerial strikes on launch sites and storehouses of Hamas’ long-range missiles. These missiles have the capability to strike Tel Aviv and the heart of Israel, threatening over 3.5 million Israelis. Click here to view the videos.
7:20 a.m.: Today, Thursday November 15, 2012, the IDF dispersed leaflets above several locations in the Gaza Strip. These leaflets warn the residents of the Gaza Strip to stay away from Hamas and other terror organizations’ operatives and facilities that pose a risk to their safety.

The leaflets stress that Hamas is dragging the region toward violence, and that the IDF is prepared to defend the residents of the State of Israel until quiet is restored to the region.

7:18 a.m.: Overnight, the IDF targeted approximately 100 medium- and long-range rocket launch and infrastructure sites across the Gaza Strip. This has significantly damaged the rocket launch capabilities and munitions warehouses operated by Hamas and other terror organizations.

The aim of targeting these sites is to impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and damage their further build-up.

In addition, Israel Air Force aircraft targeted several rocket launching squads as they prepared to fire rockets towards southern Israel. Furthermore, the IDF, using tank shells, targeted several terror activity sites throughout the Gaza Strip.

5:45 a.m.: Overnight, Hamas has continued its rocket assault on Israeli civilians. Dozens of rockets have struck Israel since the beginning of the operation. In addition, the Iron Dome system has intercepted an additional 28 rockets.

Over the course of 2012, 822 rockets have hit Israel.

4:30 a.m.: Since the beginning of the operation, the IDF has struck approximately 100 terror sites.

12:30 a.m.: Hamas has continued to fire rockets at Israel, in an effort o harm Israeli civilians. To this point, the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has intercepted 25 rockets fired from Gaza.

Wednesday, November 14th

10:48 p.m.: Over the past few hours, the IDF has targeted dozens of Hamas’s medium-range (up to 40km) under-ground rocket launch and infrastructure sites. This has significantly damaged their rocket launch capabilities as munitions warehouses owned by Hamas and other terror organizations were targeted. In addition, Israeli Navy soldiers targeted several Hamas terror sites stationed along the shoreline of the Gaza Strip.

The aim of targeting these sites is to impair Hamas’ rocket launching and weapons build up capabilities.

10:05 p.m.: As of now, the Iron Dome has intercepted 17 rockets over the course of the day.

10:00 p.m.: Below is a photo of the Fajr-5 launch site that was struck a short while ago by IAF aircraft. Note the proximity to a mosque and other civilian structures.

9:45 p.m.: A short while ago, a rocket struck a shopping center in a major city in southern Israel.

8:30 p.m.: The Israeli Navy has stuck terror sites in the Gaza Strip.

In addition, the Iron Dome intercepted 13 rockets over the past few hours.

7:15 p.m.: The IDF has published a video of its pinpoint strike on Ahmed Jabri, the head of Hamas’ military wing in Gaza, the video can be seen here.

5:35 p.m.: The IDF has targeted a significant number of long-range rockets sites (over 40 km) owned by Hamas. This deals a significant blow to the terror organization’s underground rocket launching capabilities and munitions warehouses that are owned by Hamas and other terror organizations.

The aim of targeting these sites is to cripple the terrorist organization’s rocket launching and weapons build-up capabilities.

4:30 pm: In the past hour, the IDF targeted Ahmed Jabri, the head of Hamas’ military wing, in the Gaza Strip. Jabri was a senior Hamas operative who served in the upper echelon of the Hamas’ command and was directly responsible for executing terror attacks against the State of Israel in the past number of years.

The purpose of this operation was to cripple the command and control chain of the Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure. This was a surgical operation in cooperation with the Israeli Security Agency, that was implemented on the basis of concrete intelligence and using advanced capabilities.

The IDF will continue to target sites that are used for carrying out terror attacks against the citizens of Israel while improving their daily security.

IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai said the IDF operation began following the “intolerable situation in the south of the country, and seeks to harm terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip. During the night, IDF Chief of Staff Gantz approved the detailed plan. All options are open in order to seriously damage Hamas and other terrorist organizations.”