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Operation “Pillar of Defense”. 161200. The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section . Overview. Overview.
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Operation “Pillar of Defense” 161200 The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section
Overview Living under fire has become the routine reality for one million Israeli citizens over the last twelve years. When rockets are fired, citizens have fifteen seconds to reach shelters. Weapons smuggled from Iran, Libya, and Sudan via land and sea routes have accelerated the process of Gaza turning into a terror base. Over the past few months, the situation in Israel’s south has become intolerable. Hamas and other terrorist groups have been firing missiles indiscriminately towards civilian populations on a daily basis. No state would acquiesce to live in a reality in which its civilians are continuously attacked. The State of Israel has the legal right and the moral obligation to protect its citizens. Israel has demonstrated great restraint for a long period but cannot accept the recurring attacks on its citizens.
Overview In order to restore security to its citizens the IDF initiated on 14 November Operation “Pillar of Defense,” which began with airstrikes against Hamas leaders and weapons. The IDF’s actions are solely directed against military targets and terrorist activities, and are conducted according to the international law governing armed conflicts. The IDF is making the utmost effort to minimize harm to civilians. Hamas and other terrorist organizations, however, are flagrantly committing war crimes. They are firing missiles from civilian areas into civilian areas, thus involving civilians as both their shields and their targets. The IDF is prepared to broaden the scope of the operation, including a wide ground offensive if necessary in order to achieve its goals.
Background - Hamas rocket and mortar attacks Yearly Distribution
Background - Hamas rocket and mortar attacks Monthly Distribution - 2012
Background – Recent Events Israel’s operation was precipitated by an intense escalation by Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region. Indeed, just before the commencement of the operation, four rockets that possibly originated in Sinai hit Israel. Recent attacks IAF Airstrikes
Background – Recent Events A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Nov. 11 directly hit this house in the southern Israel town of Sderot On the morning of Nov. 12, a rocket fired from Gaza struck this house in the southern Israeli town of Netivot.
Background – Recent Events Hamas has also recently attacked IDF soldiers on routine patrols of the area. This includes: 10 November 10-Anti-tank missiles were fired at an IDF force in the vicinity of the Karni crossing. 4 IDF soldiers were injured (one severely). 8 November 8-A tunnel consisting of explosives set off approximately six km south of the Kissufim crossing while an IDF force was present. One IDF soldier was lightly injured. An IDF vehicle sustained damage. 23 October-An IED exploded near an IDF force near the Netiv Ha'asara community. One IDF officer was severely injured.
Significant Events • 14 November • The IAF initiated a precision airstrike, killing Ahmad Jabari, the head of Hamas’s military wing. Jabari was a senior Hamas commander and was directly responsible for executing terrorist attacks against Israel, including recently. • IAF initiated waves of airstrikes against Hamas’s and other terrorist groups’ missile arsenals, focusing on rockets with ranges reaching up to 70km. • Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups have initiated intense barrages, unleashing hundreds of rockets towards Israeli civilian population centers • 15 November • Three Israeli civilians killed and 6 injured in the direct impact of a rocket on an apartment building in the town of Kiryat Malahi. • At approximately 5:00pm a rocket struck the Rishon Lezion area; no injuries reported. • At approximately 6:30pm, two rockets landed in open areas in the vicinity of the city of Bat Yam, the first time in over 20 years that missiles have hit the Tel Aviv area
Significant Events • 16 November • IAF aircraft are continuing sorties against Hamas operatives, missile launching sites, infrastructure, and ammunition cachés. • Limited mobilization of IDF reserves. • Israeli PM announced cessation of fire during the visit of Egyptian PM in Gaza. Despite this, Hamas and other groups continue rocket fire. Hamas rocket attacks: 430 missiles fired at Israeli territory
Significant Events The burnt remains of a car after being hit by a Grad rocket in Beersheba on 14 November The Iron Dome missile battery in action near Beersheva on 14 November
Significant Events A family seeks cover while the alarm is sounded in Ashdod Victims of the Kiryat Malahi rocket attack
Israeli civilians under fire Tel Aviv area 8 Verified Rocket/Mortar Hits by Area Ashdod – GanYavne Area 32 Gedera – KiryatMalahi Area 16 Ashkelon – ZikimArea 22 Kiryat Gat Area 11 Gaza “belt” Area 101 Gaza Strip 0 Netivot – Ofakim – ZehelimArea 16 Be’erSheva – Lehavim – Rahat Area 102
Israeli civilians under fire Running for cover during the sounding of the siren Aftermath of a missile impact
Israeli civilians under fire A home destroyed by a missile impact Missile impact in Sha’ar Hanegev
Casualties 19 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 80-100 have been injured.
Casualties – Minimizing harm to civilians Translation of IDF leaflets dropped on Gaza
Appendix - Ahmed Jabari Ahmed Jabari, the head of Hamas’ military wing, was directly responsible for executing terror attacks against the State of Israel in the past number of years. Jabari was officially the second in command of Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and was responsible with making the terrorist group's military wing increasingly more professional. He was involved in the string of deadly terror bombings committed by Hamas in 1996 that claiming the lives of 59 Israelis. In October 1998, after helping execute a terror attack on a school bus in the settlement of Kfar Darom that killed two Israeli children, and severely injured a few others, he was arrested by the Fatah security forces and jailed in Gaza. Jabari personally oversaw the kidnapping and imprisonment of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Jabari sent a Hamas squad along with members of the Popular Resistance Committee and Army of Islam to tunnel into Israel. They killed two Israeli soldiers and took Gilad Shalit hostage in Gaza. After Schalit's release, Jabari planned to kidnap more Israeli soldiers and officers in order to use them as bargaining chips for the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari Ahmed Jabari (far right)
