LIVE BLOG: Biden welcomes ceasefire, calls for investigation of civilian casualties

The IDF launched Operation Breaking Dawn against Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip on Friday evening, striking multiple targets belonging to the group and killed close to a dozen terrorist operatives including the head of the group in the northern part of the enclave. By late Friday night, over 100 rockets had been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip. 

Defense Minister Benny Gantz approved a draft call up order of up to 25,000 soldiers in reserve duty for operational purposes and the IDF began calling up reservists in the Southern Command, Air Defense Units, the Homefront Command and combat troops and officers.

"The goal of this operation is the elimination of a concrete threat against the citizens of Israel and the civilians living adjacent to the Gaza Strip," Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement.

Dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip were hit, with casualties including the head of the group’s northern command Tayseer al-Jabari.

Jabari replaced Baha abu al-Ata who was killed in an IAF strike in 2019. Jabari, who was also responsible for coordination between the group and Hamas, was killed at 4.16 PM in his apartment in Shuja'iyya. According to the IDF, he commanded over the launching of hundreds of rockets during Operation Guardian of the Walls last year, including anti-tank-guided missile attacks.

The apartment in Gaza, which Israel struck on August 5 to kill a top Islamic Jihad operative as part of Operation Breaking Dawn. (credit: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

The IDF said that it had received a specific warning that Jabari was planning an attack against Israeli targets before the arrest of another Islamic Jihad terror leader - Bassem Saadi - earlier in the week in a raid in the West Bank.

In addition, IAF jets and drones targeted two cells that were on the way to carry out anti-tank missile attacks, killing at least 12 Islamic Jihad operatives. Military bases and buildings used by operatives were also targeted. 

IDF warplanes have attacked a site in the Gaza Strip which manufactured materials used in the production of rockets as well as striking many Islamic Jihad sites manufacturing weapons, launching positions and military sites.

The Islamic Jihad said it fired at IDF aircraft. None were reported hit.

A rocket that was sent from Gaza landed in an open area near Sderot that is under construction. There was light damage that was caused and no injuries were reported.

IDF fighter jets attacked another production site used by the Islamic Jihad for the production of rockets as well as the production of mortar bombs. The IDF continues to attack terror sites of the Islamic Jihad throughout the Gaza Strip.

According to reports in Gaza, several civilians were killed including a 5-year-old girl and at least 55 more were injured.

"The enemy has begun a war against our people and against us and we will defend ourselves and our people," Islamic Jihad said in a statement.

The group’s leader Ziad Nahalka, who is based in Damascus, said that "the enemy should expect fighting. Our military wing will stand abreast of all other resistance factions in our struggle against Israeli aggression. This campaign is no holds barred and Tel Aviv will also taste the wrath of the rockets of the resistance."

A senior IDF officer said that the military was targeting Islamic Jihad and was trying to avoid civilian casualties and damage, but that the IDF was ready for the situation to escalate and stressed that Israeli civilians must adhere all instructions from the Home Front Command. 

“We couldn't allow Islamic Jihad to carry out an attack, it backfired on them,” he said, adding that “there will be [rocket] barrages, there may also be casualties, all this is clear and this should also be told to the public.”

Following the targeted killings, which were carried out by jets and armed drones, the IDF warned that the group would likely respond with rocket fire toward the Israeli home front. The military has therefore placed Iron Dome batteries in the area of Jerusalem, Beersheba and others in order to intercept any projectile fired by the group.

“No one will be surprised if there are rocket barrages,” the senior officer said. “We are in an operation that won't take several hours, rather it will take time. We have not said our last word, we have more to do.”

The IDF said it hopes Hamas will stay out of the fighting, and that the terror group ruling the Strip is currently sitting on the fence over whether to join in any fighting that may break out.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, it allowed fuel into Gaza to prevent a total shutdown of the sole power plant in the Strip, which already operates on a limited capacity. Without the plant, Gaza would be dependent on external power largely from Israel which provides 120 megawatts daily.

Residents of the Gaza envelope were asked to remain indoors and all large gatherings were canceled. The National Emergency Authority in the Defense Ministry said that it has activated a plan dubbed “civilian safe distance” which allows any regional authority to help residents of the area evacuate their homes to accommodation facilities, should any wish to do so.

The IDF has also declared a “special situation” in the home front up to 80km from the Gaza Strip, including Tel Aviv, that there could be a risk of rocket fire. Major cities in central and southern Israel opened up their bomb shelters, including Tel Aviv, Beersheba and Rishon Lezion.

Residents of the Gaza envelope were asked to remain close to shelters should there be any rocket fire. The IDF has also declared a “special situation” for the home front up to 80km from the Gaza Strip, including Tel Aviv, that there could be a risk of rocket fire. 

“The IDF continues to operate against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization with the aim of restoring security to the civilians in the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement.

This picture taken on August 5, 2022 shows Israeli Iron Dome defense missile system batteries, near the city of Ashdod. (credit: (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES))

Earlier in the day Lapid said that Israel 'won't allow terrorist organizations to set the agenda in the Gaza Strip and threaten the citizens of the State of Israel. Anyone who wants to harm Israel must know that we will get to them. Security forces will act against the Islamic Jihad terrorists to remove the threat from the citizens of Israel."

Gantz said that the goal is to protect Israeli communities and citizens. "We will not allow anyone to threaten or harm the citizens of Israel. Whoever tries - will be hurt."

Lapid, alternate PM Naftali Bennett and Gantz held a security assessment at the Kirya in Tel Aviv at 6:30.

Gantz's warning

Earlier in the day, Gantz warned that the threat posed by the group would be dealt with during a visit to the IDF’s Southern Command.

“To our enemies, and specifically to the leadership of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, I would like to emphasize: your time is up. The threat [on this region] will be removed one way or another,” the defense minister said.

During his visit, he held a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Kohavi, head of the southern Command Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano, Commander of the Gaza Division Brig.-Gen. Nimrod Aloni and the head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar. 

“The situation in which several terrorists (some of which are not even located in this area), hold the Gazan people hostage - will backfire,” Gantz warned.

Israel closed the Erez crossing on Tuesday, blocking 14,000 Gazans who have permits to enter Israel to work.

“Those who harm the ability of 14,000 workers to make a living, who cause produce to sit and spoil at crossing points, and who lead to electricity and food shortages - hurt the people of Gaza first and foremost, and will have to take responsibility [for this suffering],”he said. 

Islamic Jihad leader visited Iran

Nahalka was in Tehran on Thursday and met with Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi. Tehran funds and equips the Gaza-based terror group.

Gantz said that security forces are preparing for all scenarios, on all fronts including in the north and the center of the country and that the IDF will continue its operational activity in all sectors as needed.

“We do not seek conflict, yet we will not hesitate to defend our citizens, if required,” he said, adding that “the State of Israel and the IDF will continue its operations, knowing the responsibility we bear on our shoulders - to defend the communities and citizens of Israel’s south. And to defend the citizens of the entire State of Israel.”

During his visit to the south, Gantz also met with the heads of regional authorities, several of whom have criticized the restrictions imposed on the area by the IDF.

Stating that the resilience of the residents of the Gaza envelope have shown throughout the years “deserves our appreciation,” Gantz said that the defense establishment’s mission is to ensure that the tension ends and life returns to normal.

“I say to the residents of the area - we stand with you and we will take all the measures required in order to defend you, in a manner that is both decisive and responsible, and that meets the operational considerations set to bring about the desired results,” the defense minister said.

Road restrictions in southern Israel remained in place for the fourth day over concerns of an attack by Islamic Jihad after Israeli security forces arrested Bassem Saadi, a senior leader of the group in the West Bank overnight on Monday.

The IDF closed roads near the Strip on Tuesday and on Wednesday, it called up 100 reservists to bolster the Gaza Division to assist in securing the area and keep civilians out of areas that could be targeted by PIJ. The IDF also suspended leave in some of the combat units and has placed its Iron Dome missile defense batteries on alert for any rocket fire.

Troops in the Southern Command and Gaza Division have been ordered to thwart any hostile activity if identified, such as an Islamic Jihad cell readying to fire rockets, mortars or anti-tank missiles. Armed drones flown by the Israel Air Force have also been prepared to strike armed cells.

The terrorist group has in the past fired anti-tank guided missiles toward Israeli vehicles, both civilian and military.

The Israel Defense Forces destroyed 11 Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket launch sites in Gaza on Saturday night and Sunday morning, the IDF Spokesperson Unit said. 

Nine of the positions were struck over Saturday night, and two were hit by fighter jets and helicopters Sunday morning.

The IDF said that it "continued to strike terrorist targets at this time."

The Israel-Gaza Erez border crossing was hit by three mortar bombs fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Defense Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

The terminal roof was reportedly damaged by the strikes, and shrapnel fell into the entrance hall, an "area that is used to facilitate the daily passage of thousands of Gazans that work in Israel," the spokesperson stated.

The crossing has been closed to traffic due to Operation Breaking Dawn's ongoing hostilities. 

Police sappers defused a rocket found in a Negev field on Sunday, Israel Police said. 

The rocket caused damage to nearby property but did not hit a house directly, as per some reports in Israeli media.

The authorities asked the public to follow homefront guidelines to ensure their personal safety. 

Prime Minster Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Sderot and the IDF southern command as rockets continued to be launched into Israel and reports of an 8 p.m. ceasefire circulated on Sunday afternoon. 

Lapid and Gantz held a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi about ongoing operations. 

The two also toured IDF southern command and spoke to soldiers serving in the area.

Hamas leaders are exerting pressure on the Islamic Jihad organization to agree to a truce that would end the current round of fighting with Israel, Palestinian sources said on Sunday.

Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations have in the past 24 hours stepped up their efforts to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip, the sources said.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said that “around the clock” efforts were being made to “protect our people and stop the [Israeli] aggression.”

Haniyeh contacted Egyptian, Qatari and UN mediators as part of the efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

The Palestinian Quds Network website quoted unnamed sources in the Gaza Strip as saying that Islamic Jihad has rejected a proposal for a truce with Israel.

Palestinians gather at the scene where senior commander of Islamic Jihad militant group Khaled Mansour was killed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, August 7, 2022. (credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/REUTERS)

According to the sources, Islamic Jihad has refused to reply to calls from the Egyptians to discuss a truce proposal.

The sources claimed that the mediators have proposed a “humanitarian truce” as part of the ongoing attempts to end the fighting. However, the killing of senior Islamic Jihad military commander Khaled Mansour on Saturday night aborted these efforts, the sources added.

Statements

Earlier, senior Islamic Jihad official Mohammed al-Hindi said that contacts have been made with the mediators, especially Egypt and the UN, to discuss the prospects of reaching a truce.

Abu Hamza, spokesperson for the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, Al-Quds Brigades, said on the third day of the fighting that his group has still not used all its rocket capabilities. He said that Islamic Jihad was still capable of inflicting pain on Israel. He also called on all Palestinians in the West Bank and the Arab Israelis to join the fight against Israel by launching a “massive uprising” to drive the “enemy from all of Palestine.”

The Palestinian Authority, for its part, said that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was pursuing his efforts with regional and international parties to “stop the Israeli escalation targeting the Palestinian people and their Islamic and Christian holy sites.

PA Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh called on the UN Security Council to “assume its responsibilities to end the aggression.” He urged the US administration and the international community to intervene to stop the fighting “before it’s too late.”

PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a press conference in Ramallah that Abbas has instructed the Palestinian envoy to the UN to request a special session of the Security Council to stop the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. 

Shtayyeh called on the Security Council to issue a resolution calling for providing protection for the Palestinian people. “We want more than a condemnation from the council,” he said. “This is the third day of the Israeli aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the martyrdom of 31 people and hundreds of injuries, as well as a lot of destruction.”

Shtayyeh criticized visits by Jews to the Temple Mount and Israeli military “incursions” into Jenin Refugee Camp and said that these “crimes will be added to the files submitted to the International Criminal Court.”

Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were reported to have agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Egypt, Al-Arabiya News reported on Sunday.  

A senior Israeli official told Ynet that it is not certain that there will be a ceasefire, but negotiations were progressing, Ynet reported.

Earlier, a Palestinian official said that the Egyptian proposal reportedly called for the ceasefire to begin at 8 p.m., but Walla reported that a source familiar with the negotiations said that an exact time has not yet been decided. 

The Palestinian official also said that the ceasefire negotiations also included discussions on PIJ operatives held by Israel, including Bassem Saadi. Saadi's arrest was one of the contributing factors to the opening of combat between Israel and Islamic Jihad. 

Egypt called for an 8 p.m. ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Israeli media reported on Sunday afternoon.

Israel has accepted the call for a ceasefire. Egypt is expected to make a statement at 5 p.m. on the status of the negotiations.

"We're endeavoring at the highest level to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," a PIJ spokesperson said, Ynet reported.

Fires were sparked by rockets in fields near the Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon, Israeli media reported.

Firefighters are on the scene of several of the fires and are attempting to extinguish them.

The remnants of a rocket were found in the Judean Foothills, Israel Police spokespersons said on Sunday.

Police sappers were set to examine the rocket and site.