Cabinet approves call up of 75,000 reservists in advance of possible ground invasion
Thousands of troops already mobilized to Gaza border, IDF says more draft orders to go out in matter of hours; Hamas fires missiles at Jerusalem, no injuries or damage; IDF says over 70 rockets fired from Gaza Strip hit Israel on Friday; IDF prepares fifth Iron Dome battery for deployment
Hamas continues to fire into Israel, extending its attack still further — toward Jerusalem. The IDF continues to attack terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesperson reports that over 500 strikes have been carried out by the military since Operation Pillar of Defense commenced on Wednesday afternoon. Hamas and terrorist organizations in Gaza have launched more than 70 rockets on Friday alone. The Times of Israel is liveblogging developments. Press “Refresh” for latest updates and click here for our previous live blog detailing events as they unfolded on earlier on Friday. (Click here to receive our free daily newsletter, compiling the day’s key stories.)
Obama and Erdogan discuss the situations in Israel and the Gaza Strip and “share their concerns about the dangers to civilian populations on both sides,” AFP reports.
The two leaders reportedly share hopes that the fighting will end soon and raise worries that the fighting will diminish prospects for a “durable, lasting” peace in the Middle East.
Palestinian sources report that Israel killed senior Hamas field commander Ahmed Abu-Jalal and three of his brothers in an airstrike on central Gaza.
Initial reports said the men were killed when the vehicle they were driving suffered a direct hit from the air. The IDF says the men were killed while preparing to fire rockets on southern Israel.
The Cabinet approves calling up 75,000 reservists to take part in Operation Pillar of Defense. The decision was reached in a phone survey of the ministers, while the inner security cabinet met to discuss the recent escalation in the conflict, after Hamas fired rockets towards Jerusalem earlier this evening.
The security cabinet is expected to approve introducing ground troops into the Gaza Strip. Channel 10 news is reporting that two of the ministers have recommended a long-term stay in Gaza, arguing that the quick exit after Operation Cast Lead did not bring about favorable results.
Three rockets fired from Gaza towards Beersheba. Iron Dome intercepts two, the third falls in unpopulated area. No injuries or damage reported.
Additional rocket lands in an open area in the Eshkol region causing no Injuries or damage.
A volley of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system near the city of Beersheba, November 15 (photo credit: Uri Lenzl/Flash90)
Channel 2 news is reporting on a barrage of mortar shells fired towards Kerem Shalom, near the Israeli border with Egypt. Initial reports are saying the mortars were fired from the Sinai Peninsula, an indication that terrorist groups there may be joining the hostilities.
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