Friday afternoon I visited with friends from the US. Robbie asked if things have been quiet recently, to which I replied that they had been, but that in Israel anything could turn on a dime. By Friday night, Israel had eliminated a major Palestinian Arab terror leader and cell planning to carry out a terror attack, and announced Operation Breaking Dawn.
Operating on intelligence of an imminent threat, the IDF targeted senior Palestinian Arab terrorists on their way to carry out a terror attack against Israel. The targeted killing of these terrorists who posed a clear and present danger represents how Israel prepares, the level of its intelligence, and carefully carries out plans to eliminate the terrorists strategically and avoid civilian casualties. Upon analysis, the ability of Israel to target only Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leadership and weapons underscores how precise the operation is. Israel’s head of IDF Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, said that according to “all available information,” Israel had now killed the entire top PIJ leadership.
To underscore how precise Israel’s operations are, on Sunday when the death of one particular terrorist leader was confirmed, it was also disclosed that this was the terrorist responsible for killing an Israeli commando in 2010. That Israel knows who each terrorist is and what his “resume” of terrorist activities is, emphasizes Israel’s precision in targeting and eliminating only those targeted.
As of early Sunday morning, the IDF reported that PIJ terrorists have launched 580 rockets: 120 of which fell short and landed in Gaza, 200 of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Since these numbers were reported, many more barrages were fired, including at Jerusalem, which sent residents of communities west of Jerusalem into bomb shelters, including Israeli Arabs in Abu Gosh. Millions of Israelis are living under the threat (and range) of the terrorist rockets, including children and the elderly, have been forced into bomb shelters. One friend said she was afraid to get into the shower because the 30 seconds of warning of incoming rockets would not be enough for her to get out safely.
Saturday night, the director of Israel’s Shin Bet (secret service), explained that PIJ was hit hard, and that an important additional strategic goal was accomplished: successfully creating a division between PIJ and Hamas. Hamas is a different terror group that controls Gaza. In May 2021, Hamas suffered a severe blow in loss of weapons, infrastructure, and leadership in an 11-day operation against Israel during which more than 4000 rockets were fired at Israeli civilians. While Hamas has issued threats and support for PIJ, that (as yet) they have not entered the fighting is significant. Perhaps with Israel targeting PIJ leadership, Hamas is even secretly gleeful. Either way, it seems they are not ready to get involved with this round of violence, for reasons that only make sense to terrorists.
As of this writing, Hamas has not entered the fighting, but they threatened that today specifically, if Jews ascend Temple Mount, there will be consequences. Because today is Tisha B’Av, the day on which we mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples, thousands have already ascended in mourning, and prayer for the Third Temple.
Because of intelligence threatening civilians last week, Israel suspended train service to southern Israel and instructed civilians to remain indoors and near bomb shelters for days. Since the operation began, the IDF has been focusing on striking terror cells, leaders planning to fire mortars and anti-tank missiles at civilian sites, and taking out rocket launching sites.
While PIJ terrorists have fired several hundred rockets so far, sometimes things backfire. Of the 120 that landed in Gaza exploded in Jabaliya Saturday night killed a reported nine people, including at least four children. Palestinian Arab terrorists are about as accurate in their rocket fire as they are honest. Immediately after the incident there, PIJ blamed Israel, but Israel, again demonstrating its precision, announced that there had been no military incidents in Jabaliya for hours. Israel has released video of dozens of rockets fired in that barrage, following one particular rocket that fell short killing the Palestinian Arab civilians.
Prime Minister Lapid’s spokesperson, Keren Hajioff released a statement, "Islamic Jihad is killing Palestinian children in Gaza. One in four rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel – lands inside the Gaza Strip. Iran’s proxies – including Islamic Jihad – have a long history of hiding behind civilians to target Israeli civilians. The world should be outraged at this terrorist group targeting innocent Israelis and killing innocent Gazans. Israel will continue to stand up to this vicious terrorist organization – which threatens Israelis and Palestinians alike."
PIJ terror does not happen in a vacuum. It is funded and controlled by Iran, part of a wider reginal issue. On Friday, as the operation began, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved the calling up of 25,000 reserve soldiers. Noting that PIJ is a fully funded subsidiary of Iran, Defense Gantz noted, "Islamic Jihad leaders lounge in restaurants and hotels in Tehran, Syria and Lebanon. They are disconnected from the Palestinian people, and they seriously harm the lives of the Gazan people. They too will have to pay the price.”
As Operation Breaking Dawn takes place, Israel and Jews around the world observe a day of fasting and mourning, Tisha B’Av, commemorating the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, along with many other calamities that have befell the Jewish people on this date over thousands of years. It’s customary to read Lamentations, which begins. “Alas, she (Jerusalem) sits in solitude. The city that was great with people has become like a widow.”
Despite the fact that Jerusalem has been rebuilt and restored to Jewish sovereignty, that it is recognized as Israel’s capital, and that Israel is strong with capability to isolate and take out specific terrorists and prevent impending terror attacks, we still mourn all that’s befallen us. Sitting on the ground in mourning, reading Lamentations as hundreds of rockets were being fired at Israeli civilians, I realized that while we are not alone, there’s still lots to be done to ensure our security and prevent reasons for future mourning.
I pray that the One who restored the Jewish people to Israel will continue to protect us and that the hearts of the terrorists will be turned away from evil. And if that doesn't happen, that the IDF will continue with its successful targeting of terror leaders and infrastructure, and that we all remain safe.