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| Tuesday, Jul 15 '14, Tammuz 17, 5774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. Reports: Israel Bombed Targets East of Gaza City, Ceasefire Dead
by Tova Dvorin, Gil Ronen  Hamas's official website reported Tuesday that an Israeli drone has attacked targets east of Gaza City, according to Walla. The Maariv/NRG website also reported that Israel has attacked targets in eastern Gaza. If true, this is the first Israeli attack in Gaza following the failed cease fire declaration. According to the IDF, at least 35 rockets have been fired on Israel since 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, when an Egyptian-brokered truce was meant to come into effect. A direct hit was scored on a house in Ashdod but no one was injured. Two rockets were intercepted around 1:00 p.m. over the Shefelah coastal plain region. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a message to Hamas Tuesday in a press conference, according to which the IDF operation in Gaza will continue and be widened, unless Hamas stops firing at Israel. "If Hamas rejects the ceasefire, we will have international legitimacy to restore the necessary quiet,” he said, some three hours after the hour set for the ceasefire passed, only to be followed by more rockets from Hamas. "The goal of the operation was and remains to restore quiet while delivering a harsh blow to Hamas. We have hit them very hard and we foiled attempts to terrorize Israel's population. We heeded the Egyptian offer in order to give a chance to demilitarization of the Gaza Strip by diplomatic means. If Hamas rejects this – and it looks that way – Israel will have all the legitimacy to restore Israel accepted the truce in a surprise move Tuesday morning, after Hamas categorically rejected the notion of a ceasefire Monday night.
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2. 'Twelve Killed' in Israeli Strike on Syrian Targets
by Tova Dvorin  The Israeli Air Force (IAF) bombed several terror targets in the city of Quneitra, Syria overnight Tuesday, following a volley of rockets on the Golan Heights, Syrian media reported. Between four and twelve people were killed in the airstrike; exact numbers have varied among news outlets. "Israeli planes flying over the occupied Golan Heights launched rockets into southern Syria's Quneitra province at around 1:15 am (2215 GMT). Rockets hit Base 90 -- a Syrian military airbase -- and regime bastion Baath City. Four people were killed," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), reported. The Syria-Parash news outlet and Walla! listed twelve people killed, adding that several terror targets struck belong to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Municipality of Quneitra and several Syrian army outposts were also struck in the attack. "A second strike on another area of Baath City also caused casualties, but we have been unable to confirm the number so far," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. Base 90 was also hit, he added. The IDF Spokesperson's office has declined comment. On Tuesday, two rockets fired from Syria into the Golan Heights exploded in open areas in the Golan Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported. Military experts told Walla! News Tuesday that the rocket fire was likely the work of pro-Palestinian groups expressing solidarity with Hamas, as Israel entered the eighth day of its self-defense effort, Operation Protective Edge. Additional mortars were fired into Israel on Sunday; the IDF returned fire.
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3. Erdogan Accuses Israel of 'State Terrorism'
by AFP and Tova Dvorin  Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan fired more accusations at Israel on Tuesday, even after Israel accepted a cease-fire agreement that saw Hamas rain tens of missiles on innocent Israeli civilians in its wake. "Israel is continuing to carry out state terrorism in the region. Nobody, except us, tells it to stop," Erdogan told members of his ruling party in parliament, accusing Israel of perpetrating a "massacre" of Palestinians. "To what extent will the world remain silent to this state terrorism?" Meanwhile, over 30 rockets have rained on Israel in three hours on Tuesday, after Israel accepted a cease-fire proposal from Egypt and agreed to halt its self-defense operation, Operation Protective Edge. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri reiterated shortly after the truce announcement that it is uninterested in attacking the Israeli civilian population - despite the fact that all of Hamas's rockets have been aimed at civilian population centers. The group's propaganda has also openly threatened Israeli civilians. "The idea of ??disarmament is not subject to discussion," he said, adding that "the Palestinians are on occupied land, so it has a legitimate right to resist." In a statement issued around the same time, Hamas said it did not consider itself obliged by the Egyptian proposal. "Because we were excluded from the consultations for this (truce) initiative, we are not obliged to abide by it," it said. Erdogan has become increasingly more vocal over the operation, and threatened to end the normalization process with Israel. He also accused Israel of "lies" because "not enough" Israeli Jews have died in the conflict. "They say (Hamas) is firing rockets. But is there anybody who died?" he asked. "The number of Palestinians that you (Israel) killed is now 100. Their (Israel's) life is based on lies." "You will first stop this oppression. If not, it is not possible to realize normalization between Turkey and Israel," Erdogan said, on a separate occasion. Erdogan himself has also had a long public record of anti-Semitic statements, including several recently despite efforts to normalize relations. Several months ago, Erdogan kicked and beat a protestor who approached the premier over the May 2014 Soma mine disaster. "Why are you running away from me - Israeli sperm!" he shrieked, slapping the protester, in video footage uploaded to Sozcu TV. The word "sperm" is seen as a particularly offensive insult in Turkish. The footage later shows security forces beating the man. In 1998, prior to his stint as PM, Erdogan - then mayor of Istanbul - infamously declared that "the Jews have begun to crush the Muslims in Palestine, in the name of Zionism. Today, the image of the Jews is no different than that of the Nazis." More recently, Erdogan accused Israel of being behind the ouster of Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi.
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4. Over 35 Rockets Rain on Israel After Egyptian 'Truce'
by Tova Dvorin  According to the IDF, at least 35 rockets have been fired on Israel since 9:00 am Tuesday, when an Egyptian-brokered truce was meant to come into effect. A direct hit was scored on a house in Ashdod but no one was injured. Five rockets were fired at Rishon Letzion and intercepted. Between 10:00a.m. - 11:00 a.m., four rockets hit open areas outside the Eshkol region. No injuries nor damage were reported. Sirens rang in the Eshkol region, Ashkelon, and communities near Gaza. Between 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., the Iron Dome shot down at least two missiles over Ashdod, and sirens rang in Sderot, Sha'ar HaNegev, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Hof Ashkelon, Beit Raban, Gan Yavne, Kannot, Kiryat Malachi, Be'er Tuvia, and the Eshkol region. Since 12:00 p.m., sirens sounded in Sderot, the Eshkol region, the Shefelah, Ashkelon, Ashdod and S'dot HaNegev; rocket fire was also spreading northward, with sirens in Rehovot, Yavne, Zihron Ya'akov, Carmel, Haifa, and Menashe. At least two rockets hit in Eshkol; no injuries or damage reported. Since 1:00 p.m., sirens have sounded in the Shefelah coastal plain region and in Ashdod. 'Cease-Fire?' Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a message to Hamas Tuesday in a press conference, according to which the IDF operation in Gaza will continue and be widened, unless Hamas stops firing at Israel. "If Hamas rejects the ceasefire, we will have international legitimacy to restore the necessary quiet,” he said, some three hours after the hour set for the ceasefire passed, only to be followed by more rockets from Hamas. "The goal of the operation was and remains to restore quiet while delivering a harsh blow to Hamas. We have hit them very hard and we foiled attempts to terrorize Israel's population. "We heeded the Egyptian offer in order to give a chance to demilitarization of the Gaza Strip by diplomatic means. If Hamas rejects this – and it looks that way – Israel will have all the legitimacy to restore Israel accepted the truce in a surprise move Tuesday morning, after Hamas categorically rejected the notion of a ceasefire Monday night. "A ceasefire without reaching an agreement is rejected. In times of war, you don't cease fire and then negotiate," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told AFP. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri reiterated this Tuesday morning. "The idea of ??disarmament is not subject to discussion," he said, adding that "the Palestinians are on occupied land, so it has a legitimate right to resist." In a statement issued around the same time, Hamas said it did not consider itself obliged by the Egyptian proposal. "Because we were excluded from the consultations for this (truce) initiative, we are not obliged to abide by it," it said. Meanwhile, an IDF spokesperson indicated to Walla! News shortly after the rocket fire that - truce or not - the IDF may enter Gaza after the attack on the Eshkol region. "We are prepared to enter Gaza," he said. He added that the cease-fire agreement only stipulated that Israel would hold back fire if Hamas followed suit. "All the options and related programs from Operation Protective Edge are still relevant," he added. Rocket damage in Eilat: 
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5. Kerry Urges Hamas to Accept Ceasefire with Israel
by Gil Ronen, Tova Dvorin  US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Hamas to accept Egypt's ceasefire proposal to halt fighting with Israel in Gaza. In a brief statement released by the State Department on Tuesday, Kerry welcomed Israel's decision to accept the proposal. "The Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire and negotiations provides an opportunity to end the violence and restore calm," Kerry said. "We welcome the Israeli cabinet's decision to accept it. We urge all other parties to accept the proposal." Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a message to Hamas Tuesday in a press conference, according to which the IDF operation in Gaza will continue and be widened, unless Hamas stops firing at Israel. "If Hamas rejects the ceasefire, we will have international legitimation to restore the neeeded quiet,” he said, some three hours after the hour set for the ceasefire passed, only to be followed by more rockets from Hamas. "The goal of the operation was and remains to restore quiet while delivering a harsh blow to Hamas. We have hit them very hard and we foiled attempts to terrorize Israel's population. "We heeded the Egyptian offer in order to give a chance to demilitarization of the Gaza Strip by diplomatic means. If Hamas rejects this – and it looks that way – Israel will have all the legitimacy to restore quiet,” he added. According to the IDF, at least 22 rockets have been fired on Israel since 9:00 am. Sirens have sounded in Sderot, the Eshkol region, Ashkelon, Ashdod and S'dot HaNegev (12:08 pm; again at 12:18 and 12:23 pm). Sirens also sounded in Rehovot and Yavne (12:24 pm), as well as up north - Zihron Ya'akov, Carmel, Haifa, Menashe areas (12:30 pm). Sirens sounded for a third time in the Hof Ashkelon area, at roughly 11:45 am. Earlier, sirens rang throughout Sderot, Sha'ar HaNegev, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Hof Ashkelon, Beit Raban, Gan Yavne, Kannot, Kiryat Malachi, Be'er Tuvia, and the Eshkol region, shortly after 11:15 am. Sirens sounded at 10:36 am throughout the Eshkol region. Sirens sounded at roughly 10:00 am in Ashkelon, throughout the Eshkol region, and in communities near Gaza. Two rockets fell in open areas in the Eshkol region; no injuries or damage have been reported. 'Cease-Fire?' Israel accepted the truce in a surprise move Tuesday morning, after Hamascategorically rejected the notion of a ceasefire Monday night. "A ceasefire without reaching an agreement is rejected. In times of war, you don't cease fire and then negotiate," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told AFP. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri reiterated this Tuesday morning.
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6. IDF Videos: Special Forces Raid, Air Strikes
by Arutz Sheva  The IDF continues to provide footage from its ongoing operations in Gaza. For the first time, a short video shows action by IDF special forces against terror headquarters Monday.  The IDF Naval Commando (Shayetet 13) operated on Saturday night against a Gaza compound from which long-range rockets had been fired towards Israel. Terrorists who were in the compound opened fire towards the soldiers, who returned fire. Four soldiers suffered light wounds and were taken to a hospital in Israel for treatment. Three Hamas terrorists were reportedly killed in the raid, which according to the IDF was targeting long-range missile launchers of the type that have been directing fire towards major cities in central and even northern Israel. "The IDF will continue to harm any element which uses terror against Israel," an IDF spokesperson vowed in a statement. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner was more specific. "A naval commando operation took place on a beach in Gaza this morning with the aim of hitting a long-distance rocket launching site," he said, and added that the mission was successful. Radio reports spoke of a fierce gun battle with Hamas terrorists in the Sudaniya district. Additional videos show air strikes on Hamas commanders' homes that also served as headquarters.   
Tags: IDF, video, Operation Protective Edge
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7. Left and Right-Wing Demonstrators Lock Heads in Jerusalem
by Yosef Berger  Dozens of activists on both the right and left protested in Jerusalem's Zion Square Monday night, with the leftists calling on the government to stop its offensive against Gaza, while those on the right called to go all the way and finish off Hamas. Police kept the two sides apart, although there were mutual catcalls and insults traded between both groups.  The right-wing protesters were led by activist Itamar Ben Gvir, who called members of the other group “traitors who are stabbing us in the back. “The days of Jews allowing this kind of thing to pass without action are gone,” Ben Gvir added. One activist said of the leftists that “they are demanding peace, and so are we. But there is a difference: They say that peace can be achieved only through an agreement, while we say that peace will come when the Palestinians finally recognize us as a state.” 
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8. Nationalist MKs Outraged Over Impending Ceasefire
by Hezki Ezra and Elad Benari  Nationalist Knesset Members expressed outrage on Monday night over Egypt’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which the Cabinet is to vote onearly Tuesday morning. Diplomatic officials said that the Egyptian proposal would return the situation on the ground to the state it was before Operation Protective Edge, but with a Hamas that is much weaker than before. Officials close to Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett said he would vote against the ceasefire. Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) told Channel 2 News that the ceasefire proposal is “very bad. I hope the reports are not correct and if they are, this is a disaster.” Minister Ariel stressed that the ceasefire would endanger Israeli citizens. "It won’t be long before Hamas will grow stronger, smuggle more elaborate rockets and open fire again,” he warned. Asked how he believes Israel should act now, he responded that the operation must continue, “including ground entry. We need to finish the job. Doing half a job is worse than doing nothing.” Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon (Likud) said that a ceasefire at this point would be a "slap in the face" to the residents of the south, who were willing to pay a heavy price in return for Israel dealing a significant blow to Hamas. “No cosmetics will be able to beautify this serious mistake,” he said. Deputy Education Minister Avi Wortzman (Jewish Home) said that a ceasefire would portray Israel as weak. “I call on the Cabinet ministers not to support this mistake. Under these conditions we have to oppose this ceasefire, which is good for Hamas and bad for Israel,” said Wortzman. "We, the residents of the south, can be patient until Hamas is defeated,” he added. “A ceasefire now will produce a larger campaign against the south and the country as a whole and more missiles within a year.” MK Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) also expressed her opposition to the ceasefire and said, "A ceasefire without seriously harming the tunnels and missile systems means capitulation. The people of Israel are strong; the IDF is primed and ready; Hamas is on the ropes.” "Otherwise," emphasized Shaked, “we will allow Hamas to intensify again and we will get another confrontation soon.” MK Miri Regev (Likud) said she was against a ceasefire and called on Netanyahu not to agree to it. “I call on the Prime Minister not to agree to a ceasefire and to weaken Hamas by operating in the air, in the sea and by land,” she said. "This is a window of opportunity that will not be repeated, and a ceasefire with Hamas would allow it to return to power," added Regev. MK Nissan Slomiansky (Jewish Home) also said he was opposed to a ceasefire. "The Israeli government should apologize to the residents of the state for its lack of courage and that we will have to go through the same thing in another year or two. Too bad we don’t have an Iron Dome system that could intercept the hesitancy of the government," he said. Leftist MKs, however, welcomed the ceasefire, with Meretz chairwoman MK Zehava Galon saying it was “the right decision”. MK Ilan Gilon (Meretz) also welcomed the initiative and said, “A ceasefire is proof of the victory of reason." Gillon added, "This is a tactical achievement, and now we have to build the permanent solution. The solution in Gaza passes through Ramallah. The Prime Minister must call [Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud] Abbas to return to the negotiating table and resume talks on the basis of the two-state solution.”
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Tuesday, 15 July 2014
