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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
IDF Launches Gaza Operation 'Against Hamas' Following Massive Rocket Barrage On South
2014-07-08
[Ynet] Move comes after more than 70 rockets were reportedly fired at south; Iron Dome intercepts 12 rockets; Israel instructs southern residents to remain near shelters, as Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, takes responsibility for rocket fire.

The IDF on Monday night anounced the start of a military operation in Gazoo aimed at halting the rocket fire that has increasingly plagued Israel's southern communities in recent days.

The "IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge in Gazoo against Hamas, in order to stop the terror Israel's citizens face on a daily basis," said the IDF Spokesman's office in a tweet posted after 1am.

More than 30 rockets were fired towards communities in southern Israel in the span of 30 minutes on Monday, and more than 70 were reportedly fired throughout the day. One Israeli was injured by shrapnel in Ashdod. The heavy barrage was launched from Gazoo, at the same time as the funeral procession for the six Hamas members killed in a tunnel kaboom Sunday night.

Hamas grabbed credit for the heavy rocket fire, as Code Red sirens blared across the south, in towns and cities including Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, Ashdod, Netivot, and Be'er Sheva. The Iron Dome missile defense system shot down a total of 12 rockets over Netivot and Ashdod.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior ministers held a three-hour Security Cabinet meeting Monday afternoon to discuss the option of an escalation with Gazoo, and decided that for the time being Israel will act carefully, but also steadily increase military retaliation to rockets from the Gazoo Strip.

As tensions continued to escalate throughout the day, a senior military source said that the IDF had called up "some 1,500 reservists who will arrive in waves. Most of them are commanders and part of the home front command."

The heavy rocket barrage led to a suspension of rail service in southern Israel. Residents of towns in southern Israel close to the Gazoo Strip were also warned to stay 15 seconds from bomb shelters at all times.

It was also cleared for publication Monday that Iron Dome missile defense batteries had been deployed in strategic positions throughout Israel.
Posted by:trailing wife

#2  Iran denies supplying rockets to the Palestinians, but does anyone believe them? (Kind of like our Prez, at some point you just stop believing anything he says).
Posted by: JohnQC   2014-07-08 20:18  

#1  Here's What Hamas Might Be Getting Out Of This Latest Escalation In Gaza
Posted by: Uncle Phester   2014-07-08 18:47  

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