Qatar announced it would provide the Gaza Strip with a quarter of a billion dollars to aid the Palestinians following Israel’s extensive strikes in the region and the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) financial boycotts on Israel and the United States. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, ordered Qatar send $480 million dollars immediately on Tuesday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out extended land and air strikes on both Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets across the Strip in retaliation for over 700 rockets fired at Israel over the past few days. The Iron Dome intercepted 250 of the rockets, however, the attacks left extended damage and casualties. The IDF confirmed it hit over 350 sites, including rocket launching sites, terror squads and operatives, command and training centers, weapon facilities, observation posts and military compounds. Several weapon storages facilities were also targeted and destroyed. The IDF also carried out targeted killings of Hamas operatives.
Four Israelis were killed in the latest flare-up, the first casualties since Operation Protective Edge. Moshe Agadi, 58 was killed after a rocket hit his home in Ashkelon. Ziad al-Hamamda, 47, was killed after a rocket hit a factory in Ashkelon and Pinchas Menachem Prezuazman, 21, was killed running to shelter. Moshe Feder, 68, was killed by anti-tank missile fire from the Gaza Strip on his kibbutz in southern Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu toured southern Israel and met with the dozens of Israelis wounded over the past days. Addressing the IDF’s actions and Hamas’s terror, he stated “In the last two days we resumed the policy of eliminating senior terrorists. We killed dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists and knocked down terrorist buildings. We have changed the rules of the game and Hamas understands this very well.” On the ceasefire, he stated, “However, it is clear that this is not the end of the campaign and, therefore, I have instructed to prepare for continuation. I have also instructed that armor and artillery forces remain around the Gaza Strip.”
Speaking directly to those affected by the recent terror, he stated, “I want to commend the residents of the south for their steadfast resilience, and the soldiers and commanders of the IDF for their resolute action.”
Photos: Ran Zisovitch/Shutterstock.com
