As Israelis entered Shabbat, and with Tisha B’Av to follow, Israel became the target of relentless rocket attacks by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). What transpired in Israel over the last few days was not just terrorism, but a WAR with the endless Arab goal of eliminating Israel.
On the night of August 1, 2022, the Israeli security forces operating in the Jenin refugee camp detained Sheikh Bassem al-Sa’adi, a senior PIJ figure. The PIJ then threatened to launch anti-tank missiles and rockets into Israel. After a number of tense days in the Gaza Strip sector, on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 16:16, the IDF killed Tayseer al-Jaabari, a member of the PIJ’s military council and the Jerusalem Brigades commander.
On August 6, 2022, the IDF killed Khaled Mansour, a senior PIJ operative. In recent days he was occupied with planning to attack Israel with anti-tank missiles and rockets as a response to the detention of Bassem al-Sa’adi in Jenin. Two other PIJ commanders were killed with him, one being Ziyad al-Mudallal, the son of Ahmed al-Mudallal, a senior figure in the PIJ’s “political bureau.”
IDF spokesman Brigadier General Ran Kochav stated that the PIJ fired 1,100 rockets, 200 of which fell in the Gaza Strip and 900 rockets crossed into Israeli territory. Kochav made it clear that: “More Palestinians were killed by the Islamic Jihad’s failed shooting than by the IDF’s shooting.”
Thankfully, no Israeli lives were lost although a number of Israelis were wounded by shrapnel or fell while running to protected spaces. Property casualties include: a rocket hit a house in Sderot causing extensive damage. A rocket hit a factory in Sderot’s industrial zone, causing a fire that damaged the factory. A rocket that did not explode was found in a parking space near an Ashkelon apartment house causing extensive property damage.
As Israel reportedly agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that would come to an end at 8:00pm yesterday, the PIJ expanded the range of its rocket fire – just 8 minutes after a ceasefire was called. This new barrage of rockets targeted cities in central Israel. The terms of the final ceasefire agreement left open the problem that led to the escalation – the release of PIJ prisoners.
Americans For A Safe Israel wishes a speedy return to normalcy for all those in Israel who have needlessly suffered another period of trauma. We wish a Refuah Shlema to all those who have been injured and strength and comfort for the families and friends, and especially the children who are vulnerable to PTSD. We pray for the Israel Defense Forces and all of the Jewish Nation State’s security agencies that are working vigorously to protect and defend Israel. As always we pray for peace and better days ahead for all of Am Yisrael. And, we make it clear that Israel has a right to self-defense. Problem?