(MORE UPDATES AT THE END OF THE POST)
12:33 PM Shabbat Lunch; Magen David Adom (MDA) sends out nationwide pager message that due to escalation down south, MDA is raising the warning level.
1:15 PM Middle of Mincha shamona esreh; IDF raises alert levels in Yehuda v'Shomron
2:19 PM MDA raises alert status to highest level.
3:37 PM MDA requests ambulance drivers and EMT volunteers to prepare to go to Ashdod and southwards to help out in 24 hour round the clock shifts.
This afternoon, IDF forces attacked Gaza, with over 60 IAF fighters dropping bombs on Gaza terror targets, reports of over 300 wounded. Gaza was caught totally by surprise. (We heard jets overhead in the Shomron around 1:30 PM).
Gaza retaliates, with dozens of missile launches at Israel from Ashdod and Ashkelon to Netivot. One Israel killed, 1 seriously wounded.
Israeli Arabs slamming the defensive IDF operation, took to the streets in Um Al Fahm, Nazereth, Haifa and elsewhere, screaming "With blood and fire, we will redeem you, Oh Gaza". An Israeli Egged bus was stoned this evening outside of the Shechem Gate of Jerusalem's old city.
Shavua tov, Chodesh Tov, Chanuka Sameach (All this from a post at 6:20 PM, after Shabbat)
--Jameel.
MORE UPDATES BELOW (JoeSettler here with more updates)
7:00 PM Baby injured near Beitar Ilit from Arab stone throwing on the road. Massive rock throwing is being reported in that area.
Policeman run over outside of the Old City of Jerusalem by Arab driver.
Rock throwing reported all along Route 443.
7:23 PM Rock throwing at French Hill (near the Gas Station).
8:30 PM Hundred of Left-wingers protesting the Gaza strike at the Defense Ministry. Jaffa Residents set up Gaza mourning tent. A thousand visitors reported so far.
More Kassam strikes against Israel reported. More Air Force strikes against Hamas reported.
Due to stricter enforcement, we can't report exactly where the Kassam are falling (though we here at the Muqata know exactly where they hit).
FROM UNNAMED MILITARY SOURCES:
The opening strike was as Graduating Ceremony for Hamas Officers. Almost all officers and attendees were killed or severely wounded.
10:08 PM More Kassams fall in pre-67 Israel borders.
Individual lightly injured from a Molotov Cocktail thrown near Shuafat.
12:20 AM Ground troops and tanks being positioned outside of Gaza borders for possible (but not definite) entry of ground forces.
No news yet as to what the actual goal of this attack actually is.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Update:
ReplyDeleteCop near the Old City of Jerusalem was run over.
Alternative War Name: The Pre-election War
Thank you for the updates.
ReplyDeleteHere is an article about Indians living in Gaza.
ReplyDeletehttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Gaza_Indians_safe_after_Israeli_air_raid/articleshow/3901446.cms
We were on the 443 tonight and saw about 100 rocks all in one area very close to the Machsom into Yerushalayim, along with army presence and fire trucks. We got there after the fact, Thank God.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find the story anywhere in the news so I checked here. Thanks, Jameel. I almost asked Air to call you for info....
Joe, I think your name for this operation(the pre election war) hits the nail on the head.
ReplyDeleteSee my post on this.
Veev: I would be careful on 443 tomorrow. Looks like there's going to be a mini-intifada the next few days...(and in Israel as well)
ReplyDeleteJehoshaphat; Joe didnt't come up with the name; Lurker and I did last week...I just told him to post it tonight when I was unavailable :)
That's my job... Official transcriber and reminder of things forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAnd remember to read my blog at JoeSettler
Did I mention instigator?
ReplyDeleteJameel, credit duly noted. All further attributions will be adjusted accordingly:)
ReplyDeleteThe opening strike was as Graduating Ceremony for Hamas Officers. Almost all officers and attendees were killed or severely wounded.
ReplyDeleteVery smart move. I always wondered why stuff like this wasn't done more often.
We just came back from J-m on the 443. All was quiet, Thank G-d.
ReplyDeleteAnd how can you be careful if you decide to take the route? Drive in a crazy 8 formation?