Over 70 rockets have been fired from Gaza into southern Israel since Wednesday morning, October 24th. Five civilians were wounded, two of them critically. The Iron Dome system intercepted seven rockets aimed at major Israeli cities. Several houses suffered direct hits. Schools have been closed in three regional councils in the area and citizens were instructed to remain in bomb shelters. Crossings from Israel to the Gaza Strip have been closed due to the ongoing danger.
In response to heavy rocket fire, an IAF aircraft targeted a rocket launching site in the northern Gaza Strip. An IAF aircraft targeted a tunnel used for smuggling by terror organizations in the northern Gaza Strip and Armored Forces targeted terror activity sites.
IDF Spokesman Yoav Mordechai said that Israel holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire from Gaza.
PM Netanyahu: "We neither chose nor initiated this escalation, but if it continues we are prepared for much more extensive and deeper action. In any case, we will continue with preventative operations. Whoever intends to attack Israeli citizens needs to know that he will bear the consequences."
President Peres: "There is no circumstance under which they will fire upon on us and we will sit on our hands. I want to tell the residents of Gaza and their leaders, they have to decide what they want - to build or to shoot."
On Tuesday, October 23, an IDF officer was severely wounded while on a routine patrol adjacent to the security fence in the central Gaza Strip when Palestinian terrorists detonated an explosive placed on a gate. Israel Air Force aircraft successfully targeted a rocket launch squad in Gaza which was in its final stages of preparation to fire rockets.
Full timeline of events (Hours refer to Israeli time, GMT+2):
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
16:05: Another rocket hit Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, making the the rocket count 73.
13:15: 4 more rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel, upping the count to 72 rockets since midnight.
12:05: An IAF aircraft targeted a tunnel used for smuggling by terror organizations in the northern Gaza Strip and Armored Forces targeted terror activity sites, in response to the ongoing rocket fire.
07:00: Around this hour a barrage of 40 rockets was fired from Gaza, striking communities in southern Israel. Two farm workers were critically wounded and evacuated by an IDF helicopter to a nearby hospital.
00:40: A
second rocket launch attempt in northern Gaza was successfully thwarted by Israel Air Force aircraft — the second attempt in two hours.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012