“Operation Protective Edge will prolong until the fire at Israel ceases, and once we succeed in significantly depleting terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli soldiers seen on Merkava tank near the Gaza border on the second day of Operation Protective Edge. (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Yesterday evening, terrorist organizations operating in Gaza launched a salvo of 45 rockets at major Israeli cities, reaching as far as Hadera, located 100 km. from Gaza.
The rocket that hit Hadera is an M-302 type rocket, similar to those found on board the Klos-c, a vessel on which was an Iranian shipment of advanced weaponry intended for terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip the IDF intercepted on March 5. Onboard the Klos-c were 40 M-302 rockets reaching up-to the range of 160 kilometers.
Overnight, four more rockets were fired at Israel; all hit southern Israel.
Gaza Rockets Threaten Majority of Population
Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman, summarized the situation:
“Last night, the majority of Israel’s population was put under immediate danger as Gaza terrorists fired rockets at major Israeli cities. Despite the turmoil, we will not forget that residents of southern Israel have been suffering from unremitting fire for several years. Since 2014 began, about 500 rockets were fired at Israel. Operation Protective Edge will prolong until the fire at Israel ceases, and once we succeed in significantly depleting terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.”
Terrorists Suffer Severe Blow
Overnight, as part of the ongoing operation Protective Edge, the IDF targeted approximately 160 terror sites throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israeli security inspect the site where a rocket fired from Gaza hit in the area of Ramat Raziel, near Jerusalem. (Photo: Nati Shohat/ Flash90)
Among the terror targets the IDF struck are: 118 concealed rocket launching sites, consisting of long-range rockets launchers; weapon storage facilities; 10 tunnels, out of which 7 terror tunnels and 3 smuggling tunnels; 6 Hamas official facilities, and 10 terror command positions.
Since Operation Protective Edge embarked on July 7, the IDF has targeted approximately 440 targets, with both naval and aerial capabilities.
Over the course of the night, a joint IDF-ISA operation led to the successful IAF targeting of Hafez Hamid, a commander in the Islamic Jihad. Hamid was responsible for the recent rocket attacks against Sderot.
Overnight, terror organizations in the Gaza Strip suffered a severe blow, as the numerous IDF strikes in Gaza managed to significantly impair terrorist capabilities and prevent possible schemes against Israelis. The targets have been selected specifically following long-term intelligence efforts indicating a direct link between them and terrorist infrastructure.
Source: IDF Blog