Friday, August 8, 2014

Hamas De-Ceased the Ceasefire or Operation Protective Edge, Part II

He promises His blessings upon those who bless Israel and her people (Genesis 12:3)

Gaza fires two rockets into Israel, breaching the ceasefire three hours before it was scheduled to end.
By: Lori Lowenthal Marcus | Published: August 8th, 2014

Three hours before the 8:00 a.m. (Israel time) scheduled end of the ceasefire, two rockets were shot from Gaza into Israel.  No injuries or destruction as a result of those rockets were reported.  Israeli media reported on Thursday that members of the knesset are drawing up a bill defining the Gaza Strip “enemy territory.” This would mean that efforts to file compensation claims for damage caused by Israel’s ground incursion or other efforts to end the Strip’s terrorism towards Israel would be barred.  A source within the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that the brigades “will renew their aggressions as soon as the ceasefire ends Friday 8am.” Hussam Badran, the group’s spokesperson abroad, said “Hamas did not give up on a single demand it presented in Cairo to the occupation (Israel),” i24News reported.

Hamas made a ‘bad decision’ in choosing to renew its attacks against Israel, IDF Spokesperson Lt.-Col. Peter Lerner told news media on Friday.  “The renewed rocket attacks by terrorists at Israel are unacceptable, intolerable and shortsighted,” Lerner said in a statement.  “Hamas’ bad decision to breach the cease fire will be pursued by the IDF. We will continue to strike Hamas, its infrastructure, its operatives and restore security for the State of Israel.”  Israel waited three hours Friday morning to see if Hamas would cease the rocket fire on its own, but when it did not, the Israel Air Force took to the skies.  The IAF strafed Gaza with air strikes across the region Friday as terrorists continued to fire one barrage of rockets after another at Israel.  More than 45 rockets exploded in various cities and towns in the southern part of the Jewish State. A number of homes were damaged, and four people were wounded.

While the cease fire was in place earlier in the week, Gaza Greek Orthodox Archbishop Alexios courageously shared with CBN News the fact that Hamas terrorists had set up their rocket launchers on a roof terrace outside his office at the Saint Porphyrios church. The cleric was given little choice in the matter, nor were the hundreds of innocent civilians who had taken shelter in the Gaza City church.

Before the expiration of the ceasefire, firing at Israel's southern communities began again. After two hours of restraint, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense instructed the IDF to respond. Artillery fire was aimed at launch sites in the Gaza Strip.    Aug 08, 2014, 11:54AM | Robyn Rosh  After the Palestinians resumed firing at Israel's southern communities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ya'alon instructed the IDF to respond forcefully to the ceasefire violations. Shortly thereafter ground troops opened artillery fire at targets throughout Gaza launch. Simultaneously, the Israeli delegation returned from Egypt after ceasefire talks collapsed.  The 72 hour ceasefire ended as a result of shooting that resumed just after 08:00 at Israeli communities. Alarms sounded in Ashkelon, the Gaza vicinity communities, the Eshkol Regional Council, and Hof Ashkelon. 20 rockets and mortars were fired into Israel since this morning, two of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. Israel had not responded to the shooting, but according to reports from Gaza, thousands of Palestinians were fleeing their homes for fear of attack. Even earlier the Palestinian delegation officials stated that the talks in Cairo did not mature into an agreement. "No agreement has been reached to extend the truce," said a representative of the talks.


No comments:

Post a Comment