Paratrooper Brigade commander: We knew this operation would come – Israel News, Ynetnews.
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Briefing the troops in the brigade’s preparation area in southern Israel, Paratrooper Brigade Commander Colonel Amir Baram said: “We are 48 hours into an operation we knew would happen eventually.
“We spoke of it in training and during drills and conferences. There is no doubt that we need to act and that is the reason we trained.”
Palestinian rocket barrage escalates for Egyptian PM’s Gaza visit. Israeli ground forces build up.
DEBKAfile Special Report November 16, 2012, 10:46 AM (GMT+02:00)
As Hamas government officials greeted Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil on his arrival for a short visit to the Gaza Strip, Friday morning, Nov. 16, Palestinian rocket crews stepped up their barrage against Israel.
After Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acceded to Cairo’s request to suspend military action for the visit, air strikes were resumed over northern Gaza to counter Palestinians fire across the South: Dozens of rockets exploded in Beersheba, Ashdod, Hof Ashkelon, Ashkelon, Shear Hanegev, Ofakim, Sderot, Eshkol and Kiryat Malachi. There were several panic victims and direct hits to houses.
Thursday night, long-range Fajr rockets exploded in Greater Tel Aviv region, Israel’s urban and commercial heartland (3 million population) – two landing near Bat Yam or the sea and one or two between Rishon Lezion and Palmachim.
IDF armored, artillery and mechanized infantry units continued to stream to the Gaza border Thursday and Friday, gathering at jumping-off positions for crossing into the enclave in the next stage of the operation. Reservists are reporting for duty on the orders the defense minister issued for 30,000 call-ups. They are reporting at schools in various towns which were converted to registration stations.
Schools in the heavily battered south remain closed indefinitely and all locations within 40 kilometers stay on emergency footing for rocket attacks.
The IDF is rushing forward the completion of the fifth Iron Dome battery after the first four stopped some 150 incoming rockets in the last 48 hours.
debkafile: Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and the high IDF command are pushing for the ground operation, Stage B of the Pillar of Cloud operation, to start without delay. The prime minister and defense minister prefer to wait.
Thursday night, as the operation wound up its second day, the Israeli Air Force intensified its action, conducting 250 strikes across the territory, supported from the Mediterranean by the Israeli Navy. They targeted rocket-launching positions, stores, silos, arms and ordnance dumps and the eight tunnels snaking under the border fence for use in terrorist attacks and exploding booby-traps. A generator was hit near the residence of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.
Our sources report that Thursday, some international airlines cancelled flights to Israel. International airline officials told debkafile that security in central Israel is uncertain after Palestinian rockets from Gaza reached the Tel Aviv area. They fear Ben Gurion international airport at Lod may be next.
The sources noted that the landing of a rocket in the sea off Bat Yam posed a serious aviation hazard because it occurred under the flight path of passenger planes bound for and departing Israel. Intense Israeli Air Force activity over Gaza was making commercial flights additionally “hazardous if not impossible,” they said.
Air France was the first to reschedule flights and advise passengers to call in before setting out for their airport of departure.
Also on Thursday, the US embassy in Tel Aviv advised its nationals and staff to avoid non-essential travel to southern Israel and the children of staff to stay home from their schools in the Tel Aviv area.
A skeleton staff would operate the embassy with most of the diplomats and personnel taking the day off and staying home for their own safety, in case Yarkon Street where the building is situated were to come under Palestinian rocket fire.
Jerusalem Post – Breaking News.
The battery, scheduled originally to be deployed in two months time, is being expedited in light of the ongoing security escalations and rocket barrages striking Israel.
The Defense Ministry said that technicians are “working around the clock” in order to move the fifth battery from the test field to the battlefield.
The fifth battery was recently tested for its improved capabilities.The upgraded system is designed to shoot down rockets at greater ranges than those offered by the older Iron Dome batteries.
Hamas military wing says fired anti-tank missile on car – Israel News, Ynetnews.
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Hamas’ military wing has accepted responsibility for firing on a jeep travelling near the Gaza border fence, claiming they launched an anti-tank missile. According to reports, a civilian vehicle was destroyed in the attack, but the passengers managed to escape.
Jerusalem Post – Breaking News.
“The rocket attacks by Hamas and other factions in Gaza which began this current crisis are totally unacceptable for any government and must stop,” she said.
“Israel has the right to protect its population from these kinds of attacks. I urge Israel to ensure that its response is proportionate,” she said.
Ashton said she had spoken about the situation to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the Egyptian president’s office, as well as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Rockets in Tel Aviv – Amature video – YouTube.
For first time in over 20 years, siren heard in Tel Aviv metropolitan area; two rockets land in open areas shortly thereafter; two hours earlier, rocket lands in Rishon Lezion area; no injuries reported in either attack. Beersheba home sustains direct hit, none hurt. Three Kiryat Malachi residents killed in morning rocket attack
10:05 – I’m completely exhausted and emotionally drained. I believe the ground assault may begin in the next few hours, but I won’t be able to report on it. I’m relying on the wonderful community here to keep each other informed below. My prayers are with the soldiers getting ready to move out. – JW
21:30 IDF forces commenced a broad offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip
9:11 P.M. Israel’s Broadcasting Authority preparing emergency broadcasts ahead of Sabbath. Educational channels to broadcast only calming programs for children.
19:05 P.M. IDF spokesman says no missiles land in Tel Aviv, adding that residents of central Israel should prepare for a “not quiet” night.
Tel Aviv is located approximately 65 kilometers from the Gaza Strip and has a population of over 1 million.
18:22 P.M. Classes cancelled again on Friday for all kids living within 40 km of Gaza.
18:08 P.M. Iron Dome intercepts two rockets over Be’er Sheva.
17:57 – Senior Hamas figures have claimed that Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Qandil is expected to visit the Gaza Strip Friday in protest of the Israeli offensive. (AFP)
17:51 – COLOR RED- Multiple warnings many locations
17:48 – Report: Egypt will send high level government delegation to Gaza tomorrow. Ehud Yaari says both Egypt and Hamas are desperate to prevent an Israeli ground operation in Gaza.
17:42 – COLOR RED Sdeirot
The source adds that Israel is not interested in getting dragged into a prolonged ground operation, and that Hamas’s reaction to Operation Pillar of Defense determines the future of the IDF’s operation. Pillar of Defense is not expected to end anytime soon, he says; it won’t be a matter of days, rather, a matter of weeks.
According to Chabad sources, all three victims were members of the Chabad community. Sharf, who was pregnant, was a Chabad emissary in India. She was visiting Israel to attend a special service marking the anniversary of the attack on the Chabad House in 2008, killing nine, including Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.
Three rockets were intercepted near the port city of Ashdod by the Iron Dome missile batteries stationed in the area.
The Israeli Air Force’s Iron Dome systems have downed at least 100 rockets fired by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations in the past 24 hours.
Channel 2 is now reporting that there was a confirmed rocket strike near Rishon Letzion, on the southern edge of Israel’s heavily populated Gush Dan region.
No injuries or damage were reported
There were unconfirmed reports that there was an explosion outside Be’er Yaakov, a small agricultural settlement outside the city of nearly 300,000.
Sirens have sounded in Rishon Letzion, 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Tel Aviv. This is the furthest north that sirens have been heard yet. Rishon Letzion is approximately 55 kilometers (35 miles) north of the Gaza Strip.
A resident of Rishon reported he heard loud sirens and “a boom,” though there was no confirmed rocket strike in the city, Israel’s fourth largest.
Sirens were also reported in Holon, which borders Tel Aviv, according to Israel Radio.
The IDF said it destroyed depots of long range Fajr rockets at the beginning of the Pillar of Defense operation.
16:50 – COLOR RED- Rishon Lezion
15:45 – Over 180 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel in the last 24 hours, since Operation Pillar of Defense was launched.
15:24 – 14:52 – COLOR RED Sdeirot
15:19 – COLOR RED Sdeirot
15:04 – 3 injured by mortar shell in Eshkol
15:00 – ALL HELL BREAKING LOOSE – COLOR RED EVERY 30 SECONDS
14:58 – COLOR RED Nachal Oz
14:55 – COLOR RED Or Hanahar
14:52 – COLOR RED Sdeirot
4:35 – COLOR RED Ashkelon
14:30- COLOR RED Nachal Oz
14:18 – COLOR RED Kiriat Gat
13:56 – COLOR RED Ashkelon
13:53 – 6 rockets hit Eshkol; none injured
13:11 P.M. Defense Minister Ehud Barak: “We’re in the midst of a struggle. It isn’t certain they it’ll be short, but we’re determined to regain deterrence”
1:23 PM -Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood urges citizens to protest against Israel
12:51 – 5 rockets fired at Beersheba, Ofakim, Shaar Hanegev
12:49- COLOR RED – Beersheba, Netivot
12:47 – COLOR RED Netivot
12:38 – COLOR RED Nachal Oz
12:35 – COLOR RED Ashkelon
12:32 – Qassam hits Sderot home; none injured
12:06 – Rocket barrage fired on Ashkelon intercepted
12:05 – COLOR RED Sdeirot
11:43 – COLOR RED Kerem Shalom
11:43 – COLOR RED Reim
11:35 – COLOR RED Karmia
11:18 – Tens of thousands of people gathered at the funeral of Hamas military chief Ahmed Al-Jabari, who was assassinated Wednesday in an IAF strike in Gaza. Rockets expected to intensify afterwards.
10:56 – COLOR RED Ashkelon
10:43 – COLOR RED – Kiriat Malachi Ashdod
10:35 – COLOR RED – Kiriat Malachi
10:27 – COLOR RED – Ashkelon
10:16 – Rocket hit in Kiryat Gat. One person suffered shock, building sustained slight damage.
10:10 – Six mortar shells were fired in the direction of Eshkol Regional Council.
9:30 – Three rockets that were fired in the direction of Ashdod were intercepted.
9:29 – COLOR RED – Ashdod
9:24 – COLOR RED – Ashdod
9:22 COLOR RED – Beer Sheva
9:13 COLOR RED – Beer Sheva Ashdod
9:11 – Three Killed by rocket in KiriatMalachi
9:07 COLOR RED – Beer Sheva Ashdod
9:04 – 5 rockets fired at Kiryat Malachi intercepted
9:02 – A building was hit in Kiryat Malchi. People are trapped in the building. Injuries were reported.
8:58 AM: Rocket from Gaza hits a house in southern Israel. 133 rockets fired from Gaza during the last 24 hours.
8:58 – The IAF launched a strike at the cell that fired rockets from the Gaza Strip at the direction of Kiryat Malachi, where five people sustained injuries.
8:58 – COLOR RED Ashdod
8:53 – COLOR RED Beer Sheva
8:45 – A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a four-story building in Kiryat Malachi on Thursday, causing injuries to five people. MDA paramedics stated that three of the injured were in serious condition.
8:38 – Property damage in Eshkol
8:35 – COLOR RED Ashdod
8:34 – Yeshiva in Kiryat Malachi hit; 2 injured; one light one moderate
8:32 AM: Since midnight, the Iron Dome has intercepted 13 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel.
8:30 – Two rockets intercepted over Ashkelon
8:28 – School in Ofakim hit overnight; no injuries
8:24 – 6 rockets fired at Gan Yavne
8:21 – Egypt Muslim Brotherhood: Sever all ties with Israel
8:13 – 4 rockets hit Eshkol, 1 near Beersheba; no injuries
8:03 – Rockets intercepted over Beersheba, Ashkelon
8:00 – COLOR RED – Beersheba, Ashkelon
7:56 – 4 rockets fired at Beersheba intercepted
7:47 – COLOR RED Beer Sheva
7:41 – A rocket that was fired on Ashdod was intercepted. Another rocket hit an open area.
7:31 – The IDF dropped leaflets throughout the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning warning Palestinian civilians to stay away from terrorists.
7:30 – COLOR RED – Ashdod
7:11 – Two rockets landed inside the Eshkol Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported.
7:01 AM – Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired five Grad rockets toward Beersheba Thursday morning.
The Iron Dome missile-defense system intercepted one of the rockets, and the rest landed in open areas.
NOVEMBER 15
11:36 – Ch 3 reporter in Ashdod is drowned out by the roar of IDF warplanes on their way to Gaza. Channel forced to switch to other reporter.
:11:24 – Live vid of Iron Dome intercepting rockets over Ashdod. Over 70 rockets tonight so far.
10:17 P.M. Summary of Gaza rocket fire toward Israel’s south: 60 rockets were fired on Wednesday from Gaza at Israel’s south; 48 toward Be’er Sheva, Dimona and Ofaqim; 12 toward Ashdod, the Lachish area and Sha’ar Havegev Regional Council; Iron Dome batteries intercepted 17 rockets (Damn, I can’t help myself. – JW)
10:30 – Exhausted and emotionally drained, (but inspired!) I have to crash so as to be able to continue tomorrow morning. Thank you to all who sent “God’s speed” to our boys. With his blessing, Israel will prevail… – JW
10:08 – Ten rockets have exploded in the Eshkol regional council during the last 20 minutes. One of the rockets struck an electrical wire causing blackouts in some parts the area.
10:00 PM – More than 50 rockets fired. Iron dome downs 18.
9:52 – COLOR RED
9:49 – A rocket fired by terrorists in Gaza struck a home a in Ashkelon on Wednesday, according to police. The rocket did not injure anyone, but did cause damage to the building.
9:32 – Ehud Yaari: Egypt’s Morsi’s response is weak and seeks to end this ASAP.
9:15 – Netanyahu: If there will be a need the IDF is preparing for a larger operation.
9:15 – My Chail HaYam (Navy) is shelling the enemy.
9:10 – Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday called on Arab States, especially Egypt, to stop the “barbaric” Israeli assault.
8:59 P.M. Report: Israel denies Egyptian request to cease Operation Pillar of Defense
8:56 – Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired a Grad rocket toward Dimona Wednesday night, Channel 2 reported. No injuries or damages were reported from the attack. It was not immediately clear where the rocket struck.
8:45 – COLOR RED – Dimona
8:45 – COLOR RED
8:39 – Witnesses in Gaza Wednesday night reported a number of Israeli strikes in the Strip in recent minutes, including reports of explosions coming from the sea, Palestinian news agency Maan reported. Maan reported that air and naval bombardments are reaching the Gaza Strip, with witnesses adding that IDF combat soldiers are reaching towards the border.
Other Palestinian reports said a car was targeted west of Gaza City.
8:37 – Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that no country in the world would accept a situation in which rockets are fired at its citizens, saying that Israel will not accept such a situation, speaking Wednesday night.
7:48 – Explosion in house of Hamas cofounder Mahmoud al-Zahar, in Gaza
8:35 – COLOR RED
8:23 – The Iron Dome rocket defense system successfully intercepted a total of 15 rockets on Wednesday evening, Channel 2 reported.
8:22 – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza strip and demanded that all aggressions stop immediately. He requested that Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby hold an emergency meeting with all the permanent members.
8:21 – Shimon Perez to Obama: “There is only so much we can take.”
8:18 = COLOR RED – Ber Sheva
8:16 – Six rockets from the Gaza strip hurled toward Beersheba on Wednesday evening, Army Radio reported.
One rocket hit a shopping center of the city, according to the report, while other media reported that a vehicle was struck. No injuries were reported.
8:16 – Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized on Wednesday the call-up of reservists after announcing a widespread campaign on terror targets in Operation Pillar of Defense, according to Army Radio.
8:13 – Palestinians in Gaza Wednesday night reported a number of Israeli strikes in the Strip in recent minutes. Other Palestinian reports said a car was targeted west of Gaza City.
8:12 = COLOR RED – Ber Sheva
7:58 = COLOR RED – Ber Sheva – massive grad attack – at least 10
7:58 = COLOR RED – Ber Sheva
7:36 – Shimon Perez calls Obama to explain why Israel needed to take out Jabri.
7:27 – Residents of the Eshkol Regional Council have been instructed to stay in bomb shelters until further notice.
7:11 COLOR RED
6:55 – All citizens within 40 KM from Gaza to stay near shelter tomorrow. All schools to be closed.
6:37 – Israel starts emergency call up of reservists, says they’re prepared for ground invasion of Gaza – Reports
6:28 COLOR RED
6:14 COLOR RED
6:07 COLOR RED
6:05 – The IDF said on Wednesday that it is prepared for a ground operation in Gaza, if necessary.
“All options are on the table,” the IDF spokesman said. “If necessary, the IDF is ready to initiate a ground operation in Gaza.”
5:55 PM – The IDF has decided to move some decisions to the south ahead of a possible ground offensive in Gaza. (Yoav Zitun)
5:55 PM – A short lull in rocket fire as the terrorists groups are meeting to decide where and when to retaliate. Ch 2 is sounding quite worried about what is coming. From Ehud Yaari. Islamic Jihad announced that despite the IDF’s claim to have taken out their long range weapons, Israel would learn in the near future the truth.
5:24 PM – Hamas announces that the assassination will bring war.
5:20 PM – Reporting that among the first targets were Hamas’s supply of Fajr-5 missiles, their long range missiles that can reach TA. Unclear if they have any left, but a major damage was accomplished.
Watching Israeli airstrikes live…
Meanwhile the “color red” alerts continue to ring on my Iphone.
Netanyahu and Baraak were not just “talking.”
The pundits on Ch 2 are saying that it is to make the leaders personally responsible for their actions. The cabinet meets tonight to decide on the future of the operation being called “pillar of smoke.
– JW
Gaza rocket fire continues during Egypt PM’s visit – Israel News, Ynetnews.
Dozens of rockets continue to hit southern communities during Egyptian PM Hesham Kandil’s visit to Gaza, nixing hopes for a lull; IAF strikes Hamas commander’s home in Rafah
Yoav Zitun, Roi Kais
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As Operation Pillar of Defense entered its third day, Gaza terror groups continued to fire rockets on southern Israeli communities. The IDF struck hundreds of targets in Gaza overnight and on Friday morning.
At least 12 rockets and mortar shells exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council after Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil arrived in Gaza, nixing hopes for a lull. Two rockets exploded in the city of Kiryat Gat. Meanwhile, two rockets that were fired towards Gan Yavne and Hof Ashkelon were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Dozens of rockets were launched on Friday morning and the count continues to climb.
Earlier Friday, two Grad rockets exploded in Ashdod, with one hitting a house’s yard. Several people suffered panic attacks, and great damage was caused on the scene. Another rocket hit a house in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, causing considerable damage and igniting a fire. No injuries were immediately reported.
Rocket damage in Ashdod (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
Meanwhile, rockets continued to fall the Eshkol and Bnei Shimon regional councils, and air raid sirens sounded in Beersheba, Sderot, Ofakim and other towns in the vicinity. The Iron Dome intercepted several rockets fired on Beersheba and Ashkelon.
Some 250 terrorist targets, including underground launching pads, were hit in Gaza since Thursday night. An interior ministry building was bombed, according to Palestinian sources.
The IDF has struck more that 450 terrorist targets since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense. On Thursday, three Palestinians were killed in a strike on Beit Hanoun in the northern Strip.
Numerous mushroom clouds were seen over Gaza at around 6 am, mostly in the areas from which the Palestinians fire their rockets. No injuries have been reported as of yet.
Rocket damage in Shaar Hanegev (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestinian sources said that IDF jets twice bombed a civil service building belonging to the interior ministry in the Tel al-Awa neighborhood. It was reported that a fire was ranging at the site.
According to another Palestinian report, the IAF bombed a top Hamas military operative’s house. It wasn’t immediately clear whether he was hit. It was further reported that a Hamas naval police station in Dir al-Balah in central Gaza was bombed.
Another report said that the IAF had struck a generator in the Shati refugee camp, not far from Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s home.
Some 20 Palestinians have been killed and 180 were injured since the beginning of the operation.
Reporter’s Notebook: Si… JPost – Features – Insights & Features.
A rocket had hit Kiryat Malachi and killed three people early in the morning. Later, another Grad rocket was intercepted just north of the Ashkelon junction. The evidence of the Iron Dome missile defense system’s successful work could be seen in the small white puffs of smoke that dotted the sky.
However, life was going on as usual for most of the people in the South. This was to be a continuing theme throughout the day.
Despite the war, people still have to go to work, and bus stops were crowded.
On the road from Ashkelon to Sderot, where Highway 4 skirts the border with the northern Gaza Strip, the army had cordoned off all roads leading to Yad Mordechai and the small communities near the Strip.
In Sderot, the relative quiet was pierced by the sound of artillery fire and deep thuds of nearby bombing. However, the southern town has so far remained mostly untouched by the barrage of Grad rocket fire that have descended on Beersheba and Ashdod Wednesday night and Thursday morning. This reversed the usual pattern whereby Sderot bears the brunt of attacks and its citizens often express feelings of abandonment.
The town gives off its usual depressing exterior, with the citizens going about their lives with morose determination. Some Ethiopian children were celebrating a birthday. A car sped by wrapped in large bows, indicating that it was on its way to a wedding – many of which have had to be canceled in the South.
Some young people were hitching rides out of town with full suitcases, going to stay with relatives out of range of the rockets.
In general, the people of Sderot have gotten used to the media circus that descends on them when there is conflict. One elderly woman asked a Jerusalem Post colleague and I why we had come.
“You should go home, be safe. God will save us here. Don’t worry yourselves,” she said.
Next to the police and fire stations, an emergency clinic has been set up by the Sderot Mental Health center. Hospital cots were packed into the shelter and a couple of professionals waited around in case people suffering from shock might arrive. But the only major event seemed to be that one woman had been given a parking ticket and several police officers and other residents were busy arguing over whether she was responsible for blocking emergency access.
Dr. Adriana Katz, who helps run the clinic, noted that this community has been under attack for more than 12 years now. Even though services could be much better, the insinuation was that “we’ve been through this before.”
The last time I’d been in Sderot was in the run-up to Operation Cast Lead. At that time, many of the bomb shelters were new and some consisted of raw concrete blocks dropped in a square with a roof and access points at each end. Now all of those shelters have been decorated with street-art-style graffiti, most of it done with a high degree of skill.
While admiring the artwork, and taking note of the plethora of shuttered businesses, an air raid siren sounded. The “Color Red” siren sent people walking calmly, not running, into the nearest shelter or building. The actual hit of the Kassam could not be heard but a fire engine was dispatched. When we arrived on the scene at 4 Egoz Street, the alley had been cordoned off as police inspected the damage and searched for casualties.
Residents came out of their houses to see what had happened. One man pointed to gas tanks stored outside his brother’s house, which abutted a small yard where the Kassam had come down, saying, “It is a miracle those weren’t hit.”
Then the thud, thud, thud of bombing in Gaza was heard and the police asked the people to go back to their lives with a curt, “This isn’t a tourist attraction!” We hitched a ride to Ashkelon. Back at the Ashkelon junction, where I’d been just two hours before, street peddlers were in the medians trying to beg for money and sell holy books. Was this a daily occurrence or had they come out hoping that the war might bring out the charitable side in people? In Ashkelon, sirens wailed again at around two in the afternoon, sending people eating at a popular shwarma joint on Eli Cohen Street, scrambling to get indoors. In this case, indoors meant simply crowding close to the hot shwarma, with the cooks gesturing to the people to pack themselves into the joint.
“There is no point to this. The shop is open from the South,” noted one of the patrons.
The big glass windows of the restaurant indeed faced the Strip, providing little protection.
After realizing this fact, the crowd went back outside to sit in the sunshine.
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