On Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 9 pm in Israel (2 pm eastern), Israel accepted the recommendation of President Obama to give the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire a chance. If Hamas and the rest of the terrorist groups in Gaza violate the ceasefire, the IDF will respond forcefully.
After eight days and more than 1,500 rockets launched from Gaza at Israeli civilians, cease-fire was announced.
Few hours before the agreement formally took hold, Terrorists kept launching rockets from Gaza into Israel. Earlier today, a bomb exploded in a public bus in Tel-Aviv. 24 Israeli civilians were injured 24.
The sole purpose of Operation Pillar of Defense was to end Hamas’ terrorist rocket fire and cross-border attacks on Israel and its citizens. The operation was conducted with a well defined plan, and with the utmost care and caution to protect the lives of those in Gaza who are uninvolved.
Operation Pillar of Defense yielded significant achievements, hitting more than 1,600 terrorist targets in Gaza. Most rockets aimed at central Israel - in particular, Iranian-made Fajr-5 rockets and launchers - and thousands of rockets aimed at southern Israel were destroyed. Command and control abilities, including senior leadership and operatives, infrastructure, laboratories, and weapons caches were significantly damaged. Operation Pillar of Defense also inflicted a blow to Iran, the main sponsor of terror in Gaza and the region.
The terrorist organizations in Gaza assumed that regional circumstances allowed them more freedom to act against Israeli citizens. Israel has and will continue to take all necessary steps to defend its citizens.
Israel expresses its deep appreciation to President Obama, the Administration and Congress for their enduring commitment to the safety and security of the Israeli people and for their solidarity and support for Israel’s right to defend itself
Israel is profoundly appreciative of the United States’ contribution to the Iron Dome system. The Iron Dome proved to be a strategic asset, intercepting more than 420 rockets aimed at Israeli population centers, including Tel Aviv, and saving countless lives. Thanks to IDF operations and the Iron Dome, only 7 percent of the 1,500 rockets launched at Israel fell in urban areas.
Israel also commends the constructive role of Egypt and President Morsi in their effort to bring about a ceasefire.