Israel Matzav

We aren't 'ceasing' any more

The status of 'we cease, they fire' came crashing to an end during the morning rush hour on Sunday (a work day in Israel) after Hamas sent a massive volley of rockets screaming toward Tel Aviv around 8:00 am, one of which landed in Metropolitan Tel Aviv. That's InMyBackYard and that was too much for the government to withstand. The IDF is back in full action in Gaza.

The IDF announced it would be resuming attacks on terror targets in the Gaza Strip through the air, sea and on the ground.

In light of the decision, the IDF called on civilians in Gaza to avoid areas where fighting was taking place.

Prior to the renouncement, rocket sirens wailed in southern and central Israel on Sunday morning as Israel' Gaza operation entered its twentieth day.

Rocket alert air raid sirens were sounded for the Shfela and Sharon regions on Sunday morning around 8:25 a.m.

The IDF confirmed that seven rockets were fired in total from Gaza on Sunday morning and of these seven, five hit areas of southern Israel. The Iron Dome rocket defense system intercepted two rockets, the IDF said.

One rocket landed in an open area in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. 

In addition, the police reported a barrage of rocket fire on villages in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council late Satrurday night and early Sunday morning.

Rocket alert sirens sounded in the Ashdod and Ashkelon regions Sunday morning around 8:10 a.m. Interceptions were heard over the cities.  

Arutz Sheva has a different rocket count and more on the IDF's announcement. 

"Following Hamas' incessant rocket fire throughout the humanitarian window, which was agreed upon for the welfare of the civilian population in Gaza, the IDF will now resume its aerial, naval and ground activity in the Gaza Strip," an army statement said.

"Due to flagrant violations of humanitarian remission by Hamas, the IDF is now resuming offensive activities," army spokesman Peter Lerner wrote on Twitter.

"The IDF again urges the Palestinian population not to approach combat areas," the IDF statement added, in its continued efforts to prevent civilian casualties. 

Hamas fired at least eleven rockets on Israel Sunday morning, despite Israel's announcement late Saturday that it would extend a humanitarian ceasefire called on Saturday until Sunday at 9:00 pm. 

Several rockets were shot down over Petah Tikva, Ashdod, and Gan Yavne by the Iron Dome missile defense system; shrapnel was scattered over the greater Petah Tikva area. One motorcyclist was injured as he tried to pull to the side of the road during an air raid siren in the Sharon-area city. 

At least five rockets also fell in open area in the South; one car was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

Hamas really wants to take this to the wall. So be it. 

Labels: cease fire, Gaza, Hamas, Hamas rockets, IDF, Operation Protective Edge

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:39 AM