We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead.
They have drawn the sword. May God protect the IDF.
LIVE BLOG:
2.19 A.M. Egyptian media reports that the military wing of Hamas claims it has fired a rocket toward Tel Aviv. The report also said Israel did not confirm the attack (Haaretz)
1:39 A.M. National Jewish Democratic Council says it stands with Israel against Hamas’ rocket attacks (Natasha Mozgovaya)
1:19 A.M. Palestinians report 15 dead in Gaza, 118 wounded since Operation Pillar of Defense was launched (Haaretz)
1:13 A.M. 15 Rockets fired at Be’er Sheva (Haaretz)
1:09 A.M. Two sirens sounded in Be’er Sheva (Haaretz)
12:35 A.M. Two rockets fall in open areas in Be’er Sheva (Haaretz)
12:24 A.M. In total on Wednesday, 83 rockets were fired into Israeli territory (Haaretz)
1218 A.M. Alarm sounds in Be’er Sheva (Haaretz)
11:54 P.M. Iron Dome battery intercepts Gaza rocket over Ashkelon (Haaretz)
11:39 P.M. National Security Minister Avi Dichter in Be’er Sheva: We have no intention to end this round of fighting and suffer more hits in the next. During Operation Cast Lead we didn’t have Iron Dome batteries. This time, we do (Gili Cohen)
11:26 P.M. Two Gaza rockets explode in open areas near Ashkelon; Iron Dome battery intercepts another rocket over Ashdod (Yanir Yagna)
11:07 P.M. Five rockets explode near southern city of Sderot; no casualties, damage reported (Yanir Yagna)
11:03 P.M. U.S. State Department issues a statement saying the U.S. strongly condemns the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza; regrets the death and injury of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians; “We support Israel’s right to defend itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid civilian casualties.”
“Hamas claims to have the best interests of the Palestinian people at heart, yet it continues to engage in violence that is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause.” (Natasha Mozgovaya)
11:01 P.M. Israel Police chief Yohanan Danino arrives in Be’er Sheva with National Security Minister Avi Dichter for a meeting with city council officials (Gili Cohen)