Pillar of Defense Update for Nov. 18
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Pillar of Defense Update for Nov. 18

  • 11/18/2012
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    Updated: 8:24 PM.

    In the past day, 105 rockets struck Israel and 41 rockets were intercepted​ by the Iron Dome system. Overall, 544 rockets fired from Gaza hit Israel since the start of the operation, with an additional 290 intercepted by the Iron Dome system. The IDF targeted over 1,000 terror sites.​

    The IDF coordinated the transfer of 124 trucks of goods and gas into the Gaza Strip today. 

    The IDF targeted two communications centers being used by Hamas operatives for tactical purposes, one at 01:50 AM and one that 06:50. The strikes were pinpointed and hit two antennae situated on roofs of media buildings. See the footage of the strikes.

     
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    124 trucks of goods were transfered to Gaza today

    		 
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  • Strikes on Gaza media centers

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    ​Communicated by MFA Spokesperson

    Two buildings used for the Palestinian and foreign media in Gaza were hit last night (Nov. 17) by IDF fire. It should be noted that among the antennas and telecom equipment on the roofs of the buildings were also antennas used by Hamas for military operations. The IDF strike was clean and on-target – in the Palestinian media building there were reportedly six injured, while in the building housing the Western media there was not even one.

  • Injuries to civilians

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    ​​The IDF does everything possible to avoid harming civilians. The danger of hitting non-combatants increases considerably in the case of a conflict with Hamas, which systematically launches rockets from inside population centers. Examples

    Another source of civilian injuries is the many Palestinian rockets that, aiming at Israel, have fallen short and landed inside the Gaza Strip. These rockets (98 so far) have most certainly caused casualties, although this is not a topic that Hamas can be relied upon to report accurately.

  • PM Netanyahu's remarks at the weekly Cabinet meeting

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    ​(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 18 November 2012):

    "By now the IDF has attacked over 1,000 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip and it is continuing its operations as we speak. It is achieving significant hits on weapons aimed at Israeli citizens, as well as on those who use these weapons and those who dispatch them. We are exacting a heavy price from Hamas and the [other] terrorist organizations, and the IDF is prepared for a significant expansion of its operations.

    Today as well, I will continue to speak with world leaders. I appreciate the understanding that they are showing for Israel's right to defend itself. In my talks with the leaders, I emphasize the effort Israel is making to avoid hitting civilians and this at a time when Hamas and the [other] terrorist organizations are making every effort to hit civilian targets in Israel. We are a responsible government that is committed, above all, to the security of its citizens, and we are acting in accordance with this obligation.

    Over the weekend, I spoke again with US President Barack Obama. I thanked him for his support of Israel's right to defend itself and for his contribution, and that of the American people, in developing Iron Dome. I repeat and praise the restraint, determination and resilience of Israel's citizens on the home front, and I repeat my request to all of you to follow the instructions from IDF Home Front Command because it saves lives.