IDF Commences New Operation to Stop Gaza Attacks

At approximately 1:00 a.m. in Israel, Israel Defense Force Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner announced that Israel has commenced Operation Protective Edge. The goal of the operation is to shut down the ability of Hamas to terrorize Israeli citizens by rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Eighty rockets were launched from Gaza in just the 24 hours before the new Operation began, with tzeva adom alerts screaming nearly continuously over the past few days in southern Israel.

Prior to the official commencement of this Operation, 1500 Israeli reservists were called up, although initial reports were that these were all related to the Iron Dome defense.