Israeli Defense Forces launch operation Protective Edge against Hamas
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Operation "Protective Edge" against Hamas        

  • 7/9/2014
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    Israeli Defense Forces launch operation "Protective Edge" against Hamas

     
    New Delhi, 9th July, 2014: Hamas has been deliberately escalating its attacks from Gaza in the past few weeks, firing more than 240 rockets from June 12th to July 7th.  In response to the incessant rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, more than 200 rockets have been fired within the last 48 hours, putting lives of over 3.5 million Israeli civilians under threat. The IDF has launched a widespread campaign against terror targets in Gaza - Operation Protective Edge. Israel remains at the forefront of fighting terror and has every right to defend its citizens under attack.
     


    More than half a million Israelis have less than 60 seconds to find shelter after a rocket is launched from Gaza into Israel. Many have only 15 seconds.
     
     
    Responding to Hamas rocket firing on Israel
     
    Israel showed great restraint during the past three weeks of continuous rocket fire from Gaza. Israel is not eager for war, but the security of its citizens is its primary consideration. After repeated efforts to restore calm were met with increased Hamas rocket fire, the IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge to defend Israel's civilians against Hamas terrorism. This operation comes in response to a heavy barrage of dozens of rockets that were fired on communities in southern Israel. Since June 12th to July 7th, more than 240 rockets have been fired at southern Israel from Gaza, aimed deliberately at civilian targets. These attacks have sent thousands running into bomb shelters, threatening millions of Israeli lives. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under the threat of rocket attacks.
     
     
    Israel's reaction to Operation Protective Edge
     
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "No other country lives under such a threat, and no country would accept such a threat. We have therefore significantly expanded our operations against Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in Gaza. Israel targets Hamas terrorists and not innocent civilians. By contrast, Hamas targets Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians. Hamas, therefore, bears full responsibility for any harm that comes to Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike." Israel's outgoing president Shimon Peres and president Reuven Rivlin called on Jews and Arabs to end violence and incitement, and have faith in ability to live together.
     
     
    Hamas using false pictures
     
    Over the past week the hashtag #GazaUnderAttack has been used hundreds of thousands of times, often to distribute pictures claiming to show the effects the airstrikes. A #BBCtrending analysis has found that some date as far back as 2009 and others are from conflicts in Syria and Iraq.
     
     
    Hamas pushing for escalation
     
    For the last few weeks, Hamas has repeatedly called for a Intifada and a new uprising against Israel. On June 14th, Husam Badran, a Hamas international spokesman in Gaza, urged Palestinians to confront Israeli forces. Badran said, “This is a chance to widen the sphere of resistance and return the West Bank to its natural place as the focal point of the struggle and resistance." Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned Israel of "opening the gates of hell." “The Intifada is the greatest event in the history of the Palestinian people, and it renews itself every time there is an escalation in Israel's aggression,” Abu Zuhri said. “Resistance through every channel is the legitimate right of the Palestinian people, to liberate the land, the holy places, and the prisoners.” Earlier in June, Hamas official Salah Bardawil said at a rally, "We are capable of igniting a third Intifada which is an irrevocable right that will go off when more pressure is exerted on the Palestinian people."
     
     
    Hamas firing rockets from Palestinian civilian areas
     
            Since the beginning of the year till the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, Gaza terrorists have fired more than 650 rockets towards Israeli citizens. In order to restore peace in the region and stop Hamas terrorism, the IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge. It is important to note that Hamas places weapons and missile launchers in densely populated areas. As shown in the picture taken on 8th July:
              


     
     
     
    Terrorists use sea route to attack Israelis
     
    Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel by sea on July 8th in order to create havoc and kill Israeli civilians.
     
    Hamas terrorists infiltrating through sea route| http://bit.ly/TS0aKA
     
     
    Israel is committed to defend its citizens
     
    Israel has every right to defend itself and has the duty to protect its civilian population under attack. Israel showed great restraint during the past three weeks of continuous rocket fire from Gaza and is making every effort to avoid causing harm to genuine civilians. A situation in which millions of its citizens are forced to live under a barrage of missiles, cannot be tolerated. Israel left the Gaza Strip completely in August 2005 and do not have any territorial claims there. There is no blockade of the Gaza Strip: goods enter and exit the Gaza Strip freely as long as Hamas rocket fire doesn’t prevent it. 137 trucks loaded with goods entered Gaza on July 6th. Hamas is similar to other extremist Islamist organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.