11th Day (Updated 3:15pm): Hours Long Break From Rocket Fire, Iran Launches Armed Drone At Israel, Hamas Strikes IDF Bus With Anti-Tank Missile
by CrownHeights.info
As the Israel/Gaza conflict drags into its 11th day, CrownHeights.info presents an overview of what has occurred today and will be providing live updates.
An interesting turn of events took place overnight Wednesday, when the Gaza militants decided to stop firing missiles at Israel, giving the Jewish country a precious eight hours of calm.
While the pause in rocket fire was likely an attempt by the Gaza factions to tempt a ceasefire, the Israeli’s did not bite, continuing to bombard strategic targets in Gaza.
After eight hours, the rockets again began to be fired from Gaza into Israel.
As of 07:00 Thursday morning, approximately 4070 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory, of which approximately 610 failed launches fell in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported a busy night, targeting the Hamas internal tunnel network and destroying weapons depots located in Hamas members homes. The IDF also targeted launch crews and launch sites.
While the Iron Dome continued to perform at approximately 90% efficiency, multiple rockets did make it through its defenses, with direct hits reported in Beersheva and Ashkelon. One person was injured lightly in the Ashkelon strike, and significant damage was done to the home.
Following eight hours without firing at Israel, Hamas launched an Anti-Tank Guided Missile at an IDF bus parked near the border. The attack destroyed the bus, but as the soldiers had just exited the bus, it only injured one soldier lightly.
In another interesting turn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a drone Israel took down two days ago was an armed Iranian drone launched by Iran from Syria or Iraq.
CrownHeights.info will update this article throughout the day as information becomes available.
Update 3:15pm: Israel’s security cabinet has approved the unilateral ceasefire according to Israeli media, allegedly from 0200 Israel time.
Update 12:59pm: Since 07:00, 341 rockets were fired from Gaza, of which 42 fell short in the Strip. The IDF says it struck 30 rocket launching positions in Gaza today
Update 12:58pm: Israeli official tells Kan 11: Israel’s security cabinet will approve a one-sided ceasefire from tomorrow.
Update 12:06pm: MDA summary of Op. Guardian of the Walls so far: 10 killed from direct rocket impacts, 2 died after falling while running to shelter. 118 wounded from direct rocket impacts, 7 seriously. 225 wounded from falling while running to shelter, 1 seriously. 252 treated for anxiety.
Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says 232 killed, including 65 minors, and over 1900 wounded since fighting began.
Update 12:05pm: IDF says it struck 2 Hamas tunnel shafts in Gaza.
Update 12:04pm: IDF says it struck a Hamas ATGM cell in northern Gaza, as well as the ATGM position from which the attack toward the IDF bus near Zikim was conducted earlier today.
Update 12:02pm: The IDF Home Front Command has extended restrictions due to the rocket fire from Gaza by another day, till tomorrow evening.
Update 10:17am: Palestinian reports of 2 dead in a targeted strike toward a vehicle in northern Gaza.
