The last 24 hours, things escalated between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, rockets being shot at Israel, Israel attacks in Gaza, but inside Israel, things are getting more quiet. Are we going towards a ceasefire?
24 hours of Day 7 to the fighting
First, I wanted to share with you all the situation here in Israel and our point of view about this conflict which we didn't start. We keep hearing lots of un correct opinions around the world and I think it is important that we all know the facts.
Today Israeli citizens and civilians continue to be bombarded by rocket fire from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. For the past week, these terrorists have fired thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, not at any particular targets but aiming to cause as much carnage and mayhem as possible. So far they have killed 10 Israelis, including children and Israeli Arabs. This is Hamas’ stated goal: the annihilation of the State of Israel. And those who suffer the worst under their reign are the innocent Palestinian residents of Gaza.
The IDF, on the other hand, is taking every possible measure to protect against civilian casualties as it retaliates against Hamas rocket fire and reestablishes calm. This includes providing advance warning about impending attacks against critical terror targets to allow civilians to vacate the area.
Many in the foreign media are quick to criticize Israel, and international bodies may rush to condemn Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. But it is well documented that Hamas buries its weapons and facilities amidst civilian infrastructure. Israel, with her citizens under intense fire and civilians dying, must put a stop to the threat. What would you expect your government to do if neighbors were firing rockets into your cities, above your skylines, and your families were scurrying to bomb shelters throughout the day. This is not normal. There is no equivalence between Hamas and Israel. This is a truth the world must recognize.
And now, few more updates about what is going on in day 7 of this conflict:
Israel slammed for strike on AP, Al Jazeera Gaza offices in attack on Hamas
Israel came under heavy criticism on Saturday for striking a 12-story tower in Gaza housing the offices of foreign media affiliates such as the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other news outlets. The United States government, AP and Al Jazeera each publicly expressed their concerns with the operation moments after the strike.
The IAF struck the high-rise building, which also housed a number of apartments and various offices, because it contained “military assets of the military intelligence” of Hamas hiding under the guise of the foreign media outlets, an IDF spokesperson said.
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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Israel showed US ‘smoking gun’ on Hamas in AP office tower, officials say
“We showed them the smoking gun proving Hamas worked out of that building,” a source close to Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. “I understand they found the explanation satisfactory.”
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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Wide scale Hamas rocket barrage scores direct hits in Ashkelon, Ashdod
Hamas rocket barrages on southern Israel continued Sunday with almost 300 projectiles launched at Israel since Saturday, 120 on Saturday night alone.
No one was injured but rockets slammed into buildings in Ashkelon and Ashdod. In Ashkelon, a rocket scored a direct hit on a synagogue, causing extensive damage.
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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Netanyahu to Hamas: You can't hide, IDF strikes to last as long as needed
The United States affirmed Israel's right to self-defense as the IDF pushed forward with its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to pursue the militant group for as long as necessary.
Israel's security cabinet is set to meet Sunday as ceasefire attempts by Egypt and Qatar failed to yield results.
"Fire will be met with fire," Netanyahu said on Saturday night in a special video address just one hour before Hamas launched a heavy barrage of rockets against Israel that sent people in the South and Center of the country racing for shelter just past midnight.
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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Shavuot: Kanievsky, Edelstein urge Jews not to go to Western Wall
Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) leaders Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Gershon Edelstein announced over the weekend that Jews should not go to worship at the Western Wall on Shavuot due to the ongoing security situation in the country, Walla reported.
The two rabbis wrote in a joint letter that the risk was too great and that everyone was obligated to not carry out any "act of provocation."
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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Austria outlaws Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah
Austria banned Hezbollah in its entirety this week, going beyond the European Union policy of outlawing the Lebanese terrorist group’s so-called military arm.
“This is a very clear signal,” said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, after the Council of Ministers approved the proposal to include Hezbollah in a law banning the use of certain symbols. “This step reflects reality. The group itself makes no distinction between the military and the political arm.”
From an article in the Jerusalem Post
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We pray and hope for peace over this whole region as soon as possible!