After quiet night, terrorists resume fire on Israel
After a relatively quiet night, Islamic Jihad terrorists resumed their rockets attacks on Israeli civilian targets in the south and the centre of the country on Wednesday morning.
IDF retaliation in Gaza Strip after a massive rocket attack launched from Gaza into Israel. Gaza, Nov 12, 2019. Photo by Majdi Fathi/TPS
Several of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system and others exploded in opens spaces, causing no injuries or damage.
In response, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted strikes against terror targets in Gaza, and specifically against the cells launching the rockets. The IDF reported that the strikes were successful.
On Tuesday night, IAF aircraft destroyed rocket launchers in Gaza.
The IAF has so far eliminated at least 11 terrorists involved in the rocket fire.
School and businesses in the south were closed on Wednesday, but not in the Tel Aviv area, which was shut down on Tuesday.
Since the beginning of the bombardment on Tuesday morning, the Gaza-based terrorists have launched over 250 rockets at Israel. Some 90% of the rockets that would have landed in populated areas were intercepted by the Iron Dome systems. A total of 60% of the rockets exploded in open spaces, and dozens other exploded inside Gaza.
Israeli emergency medical teams have treated dozens of Israelis who sustained light injuries while running for cover and others who were treated for shock. No Israelis have been killed or directly injured by the rocket fire.
IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Hidai Zilberman said during a Wednesday morning briefing that the Islamic Jihad was economizing its rockets and was preparing for several more days of battle.
He estimated that Wednesday’s rocket fire will be less sporadic and more orderly and intense, with a chance of attacks on the Tel Aviv area.
The violence began early Tuesday morning when the IDF targeted and eliminated senior Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu al-Ata in the northern Gaza Strip.
In a precision targeting, the IDF hit the apartment he was staying in Gaza.
Abu al-Ata was responsible for many terrorist attacks and the firing of rockets on Israel in recent months and had intended to carry out imminent attacks, including incursions into Israel, the IDF stated.
The Islamic Jihad responded by firing hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilian targets throughout Israel.
