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.

Israel is negotiating a ceasefire to end Operation Breaking Dawn, with Egyptian mediation which has requested a ceasefire starting from 8 p.m. on Sunday, diplomatic sources confirmed.

According to Hebrew media, Israel has agreed to the conditions set by Egypt, but the Islamic Jihad has yet to confirm whether or not they are willing to meet the terms as well.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued to launch rockets at civilian centers in southern Israel on Sunday afternoon, as the ceasefire talks took place.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that his country was working to end the latest violence between Israel and Gaza.

Sisi said his country "made contacts with everyone around the clock in order for things to not get out of control and for fighting not to take place."

Egypt "made contacts with everyone around the clock in order for things to not get out of control and for fighting not to take place."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

In addition, an Egyptian intelligence delegation headed by Major General Ahmed Abdelkhaliq arrived in Israel on Saturday.

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)

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said on Sunday that “this operation will continue as long as necessary.”

He commended the IDF and Shin Bet for the strike on senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Khaled Mansour, calling it “an extraordinary achievement.”

“The IDF continues to strike terrorist targets and operatives, and to thwart rocket-launching squads,” Lapid said. “We are acting in a precise and responsible way to minimize harm to civilians.”

Cabinet ministers were sent talking points from the Prime Ministers' Office that “Israel does not want a broader campaign in Gaza, but is prepared for any developments. This [operation] may go on for several days.”

Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar told Security Cabinet ministers overnight Saturday that Israel met most of the objectives it set at the outset of the operation in Gaza on Friday afternoon. Prior to the Israeli airstrikes, residents of Israeli towns near Gaza were in lockdown for three days amid threats of an escalation by Islamic Jihad.

“The IDF continues to strike terrorist targets and operatives, and to thwart rocket-launching squads. We are acting in a precise and responsible way to minimize harm to civilians.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid

A minister in the late-night, closed-door meeting told Channel 13 News Israel is not looking to expand the operation, though it is uncertain that conditions are ripe for a ceasefire.

Among the topics in the Security Cabinet briefing was Israel’s hope to avoid Islamic Jihad drawing Hamas into the fight, which is among the reasons that Israel’s targets for the operation have been very narrow.

Also Sunday, Lapid and his Military Secretary Avi Gil briefed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu about the security situation.

Keeping everyone in the loop

Netanyahu said he gives "full backing to the government, the IDF and security forces" and he supports the residents of the South, calling on them to follow Home Front Command instructions. 

"I received a detailed update, I listened carefully and I gave some advice from my experience...and I think this advice can be very helpful to Israel's security," Netanyahu added
 
According to law, the prime minister is supposed to brief the opposition leader on national security every month. Netanyahu and Lapid’s predecessor Naftali Bennett did not want to meet and Gil would brief Netanyahu, instead. The opposition leader did not accept an earlier invitation from Lapid to meet, asking to only speak with Gil, and Lapid declined, pointing to the law. Following the outbreak of Operation Breaking Dawn, Netanyahu agreed to meet with Lapid.

Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu gave his full support to the government and security forces during Operation Breaking Dawn, following a briefing from Prime Minister Yair Lapid and his military secretary Avi Gil on Sunday.

Netanyahu said he gives “full backing to the government, the IDF and security forces” and he supports the residents of the South, calling on them to follow Home Front Command instructions.

“I received a detailed update, I listened carefully and I gave some advice from my experience... and I think this advice can be very helpful to Israel’s security,” Netanyahu added.

According to law, the prime minister is supposed to brief the opposition leader on national security every month.

Political bad blood

Netanyahu and Lapid’s predecessor Naftali Bennett did not want to meet because of political bad blood and Gil would brief Netanyahu instead.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu meeting on Sunday, August 7, 2022. (credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)

“I received a detailed update, I listened carefully and I gave some advice from my experience... and I think this advice can be very helpful to Israel’s security.”

Benjamin Netanyahu

The opposition leader did not accept an earlier invitation from Lapid to a briefing and asked to speak with Gil. Lapid declined his request, pointing out that the law requires that the prime minister brief the opposition leader.

Following the outbreak of Operation Breaking Dawn, Netanyahu agreed to meet with Lapid.

At about 9 p.m. on Saturday night, an explosion in Jabaliya in the Gaza Strip killed, among others, four children.

Joint List MK Ahmed Tibi tweeted photos of three dead boys, with the message: "This is what the US and the UK refer to as 'Israel's right to self-defense': Three or more 'dangerous terrorists' killed in Gaza now. Clearly today Israel is a safer place."

But, as it soon became apparent, the children’s tragic death was not at Israel’s hands. One of the hundreds of rockets Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched towards Israelis – in this case from a mosque, compounding the war crime of acting from civilian populations onto the war crime of attacking them – backfired, falling and exploding in Gaza. Two videos, one from Palestinian sources spread on social media and another grainy black-and-white one from the IDF, showed what actually took place.

Still, the explosion, like so many other unfortunate occurrences over the years, had the potential to become one that the media and activists would latch onto, with invective about Israel intentionally killing children spreading on social media, and moving up into such claims made more subtly in the mainstream international press, and then condemnation by governments. That could turn into pressure on Jerusalem to wrap up the operation, whether it was really ready to do so or not.

But what really happened was the opposite of the bleak scenario that Israelis have come to expect.

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)

By the middle of the next day, Tibi deleted the tweet.

The headline in Germany’s Bild on Sunday morning read: “Palestinian missile kills civilians in Gaza: Terror bullets explode on their own territory.”

Outside of the Arab world - and in some cases, inside it - other media didn't focus on the deaths in Jabaliya.

Three paragraphs into its article "Gaza escalation continues into the second day," CNN noted: "In one incident Saturday, four children were among seven people killed in an explosion in Jabaliya. The Palestinian Health Ministry initially said the blast was caused by an Israeli airstrike. Israel rejected the claim and said it was the result of errant rocket fire, and released a video showing what it said was the Islamic Jihad rocket sharply changing course in the air and hitting the building."

Major news agencies like AFP, AP and Reuters reported what happened in a similar manner.

In another example, Abu Dhabi-based English-language outlet The National wrote about midway through its article on the violence in Gaza that "Gaza's health authorities said six children were among 32 people killed so far in the Israeli strikes...Israel said it had 'irrefutable' evidence that some of the children were killed when a rocket fired by Islamic Jihad landed in the Jabaliya area in northern Gaza on Saturday. The military shared a video on its Twitter [account] that appeared to show a rocket falling to earth shortly after launch."

The article featured the IDF tweet with the video.

How did this quick turnaround happen? 

Though many of Israel’s supporters lament Jerusalem’s poor public relations efforts, this was an occasion in which the system worked.

“We identified the potential for damage from this incident very quickly,” Head of the Public Diplomacy Directorate Lior Haiat said on Sunday. “We understood it could be a public diplomacy catastrophe that could lead to diplomatic harm that could change the direction of the campaign.”

Within minutes, Haiat, IDF Spokesperson Ran Kohav, representatives of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry discussed the incident. Defense officials were quickly able to determine not only that the IDF was not responsible, but that Islamic Jihad very clearly was.

Haiat was able to coordinate a media plan with the others within an hour. He released a statement that Israel has “in our possession videos that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this incident was not the result of an Israel Defense Forces’ strike. Israeli security forces did not strike in Jabalya in the past few hours.

“It has been irrefutably proven that this incident was the result of the misfiring of a rocket launched by Islamic Jihad,” he stated. “Following reports in Palestinian and international media, an investigation took place which unequivocally showed that this was not an Israeli strike but rather, a rocket launched from within the Gaza Strip which fell in the heart of Jabalya. All fire by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is a double war crime: it is shooting at civilians, and using Gazan civilians as human shields.

“It has been irrefutably proven that this incident was the result of the misfiring of a rocket launched by Islamic Jihad.”

Lior Haiat

“This incident is an example of Islamic Jihad harming the residents of Gaza. All harm to innocent civilians is tragic,” the statement concludes.

Haiat’s statement was translated into multiple languages and sent to Israeli embassies around the world, which quickly passed on the message to local media.

International Spokeswoman for Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Keren Hajioff sent a video of herself making a similar statement that could be used for television and social media.

The IDF released its own statement about its "in-depth debrief," including that it "did not conduct any activities in Jabaliya at the time of the event."

Plus, Lapid released Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper from an ongoing Security Cabinet meeting to speak to Israeli media in the name of the government.

The wartime event that probably most hurt Israel’s efforts during Operation Guardian of the Walls last year was the bombing of the Al Jalaa building, in which the AP had its Gaza offices. The IDF said it struck the site because Hamas had equipment in the building that was jamming the Iron Dome missile defense system’s signals. The strike sparked criticism of Israel around the world, including from the US. Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon, who probed the IDF's PR issues after the operation, called it an "own goal."

One advantage Israel had this time is that it is clear Israel didn’t actually bomb the building with children inside in Jabaliya, and there were images and videos backing up the denial. That is an easier story to tell than “we did it, but here’s why it wasn’t bad.”

Haiat, a veteran diplomat who was the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry during Operation Guardian of the Walls last year, said that “past experience taught us that an event like this can disrupt a campaign.”

As such, each party involved in speaking for Israel took action “very, very quickly,” Haiat said, because “all the factors in the system understood the potential. 

A Palestinian Islamic Jihad mortar position was hit by an Israel Defense Forces strike on Sunday afternoon, the IDF Spokesperson announced.

An Israel Defense Forces airstrike on a Palestinian Islamic Jihad Weapon storage facility in Gaza was aborted due to the presence of a civilian, the IDF spokesperson said on Sunday.

Video of the event published by the IDF shows a pedestrian walking near the residence of a PIJ operative that also housed the weapons stockpile.

"We are aborting immediately," said the IDF soldiers monitoring the strike. "Abort immediately. Abort."

The strike was reportedly carried out at a later time when the area was clear of civilians. 

A rocket alert was sounded in the Beersheba area on Sunday for the first time since the beginning of Operation Breaking Dawn.

Several other areas were also targeted, including Rishon Lezion, Yavne, Nes Tziona, Ashdod, Ashkelon and the Gaza border area.

Jewish organizations from across the world have shown support for Israel and the IDF during Operation Breaking Dawn in the Gaza Strip and after hundreds of missiles were launched at civilian Israeli areas.

Most umbrella organizations and large Jewish movements have shown support for Israel during this operation.

What did the organizations have to say?

"The operation currently being carried out by Israel’s military against Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a necessary measure to preserve civilian lives in the midst of conflict," The World Jewish Congress (WJC) wrote. 

Our hearts are with the people of Israel as many families spent the night in bomb shelters while rockets continue to rain down from Gaza. #JewishTogether pic.twitter.com/g9PPFSx7HJ

— The Jewish Federations of North America (@jfederations) August 7, 2022

"Our hearts are with the people of Israel as many families spent the night in bomb shelters while rockets continue to rain down from Gaza," reads a tweet by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), with the hashtag #JewishTogether.

Israelis run for shelter during a rocket alert in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, on August 6, 2022. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

"No group which seeks the elimination of the Jewish state can be allowed to thrive along its borders," the JFNA added.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) condemned the continued targeting of Israeli civilians by the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), with its director, Dr. Colin Rubenstein, commenting: “Israel has the right and obligation to defend its citizens against terrorism, the same as any other country.

"The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group — a proxy of Iran dedicated to destroying Israel and killing Israelis — has, true to form, responded to Israel’s legitimate exercise of that right to self-defense by committing multiple war crimes. It is indiscriminately targeting innocent Israeli civilians with rocket barrages, very clearly a war crime, while hiding among the civilians of Gaza, also a war crime."

Les missiles et roquettes tirés par le Djihad Islamique sur les villes israéliennes ont un seul objectif : tuer aveuglément des civils.

Comme toute démocratie, Israël protège sa population. La France, elle aussi engagée contre le terrorisme, doit soutenir fermement Israël.

— Yonathan Arfi (@Yonathan_Arfi) August 6, 2022

"The missiles and rockets fired by the Islamic Jihad at Israeli cities have one goal: to indiscriminately kill civilians," Yonathan Arfi, President of the Crif, French Jewry's umbrella organization, tweeted. 

"Like any democracy, Israel protects its people. France, also committed against terrorism, must firmly support Israel."

"Once again, Israel is under attack," the European Jewish Congress (EJC) published a statement on social media. The EJC added that "over 450 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel since last night by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group. At this difficult time, we stand firmly with the people of Israel."

We are watching developments on the ground in Israel and Gaza closely and pray for the safety of all. We stand alongside #Israel in its right to self-defense against the direct threats to Israeli civilians posed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

— ADL (@ADL) August 5, 2022

"We are watching developments on the ground in Israel and Gaza closely and pray for the safety of all," the Anti Defamation League (ADL) wrote on Twitter. "We stand alongside Israel in its right to self-defense against the direct threats to Israeli civilians posed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad," the ADL stated.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) shared on Facebook that its members "stand in solidarity with the people of Israel as the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group fires rockets at Israeli towns and cities. Millions of Israelis are currently under threat. Israel has the right and duty to protect its citizens against terror."

The American Jewish Congress also wrote a message of support on Facebook. "We stand with Israel and the Israeli civilians facing rocket attacks from terrorist groups in Gaza. More than 70 rockets were fired against Israel from the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens."

Israel’s defense and political leadership considered bringing Operation Breaking Dawn to a close on Sunday, less than two days after it began and as Palestinian Islamic Jihad continued lobbing rockets at Israel.

Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar told Security Cabinet ministers overnight Saturday that Israel met most of the objectives it set at the outset of the operation in Gaza on Friday afternoon. Prior to the Israeli airstrikes, residents of Israeli towns near Gaza were in lockdown for three days amid threats of an escalation by Islamic Jihad.

A minister in the late-night, closed-door meeting told Channel 13 News Israel is not looking to expand the operation, though it is uncertain that conditions are ripe for a ceasefire. 

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said on Sunday that “this operation will continue as long as necessary.”

He commended the IDF and Shin Bet for the strike on senior Islamic Jihad terrorist Khaled Mansour, calling it “an extraordinary achievement.”

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)

“The IDF continues to strike terrorist targets and operatives, and to thwart rocket-launching squads,” Lapid said. “We are acting in a precise and responsible way to minimize harm to civilians.”

“The IDF continues to strike terrorist targets and operatives, and to thwart rocket-launching squads. We are acting in a precise and responsible way to minimize harm to civilians.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid

Also Sunday, Lapid and his Military Secretary Avi Gil briefed opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu about the security situation.

Keeping everyone in the loop

According to law, the prime minister is supposed to brief the opposition leader on national security every month. Netanyahu and Lapid’s predecessor Naftali Bennett did not want to meet and Gil would brief Netanyahu, instead. The opposition leader did not accept an earlier invitation from Lapid to meet, asking to only speak with Gil, and Lapid declined, pointing to the law. Following the outbreak of Operation Breaking Dawn, Netanyahu agreed to meet with Lapid.

Who are the international mediators?

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that his country was working to end the latest violence between Israel and Gaza.

Sisi said his country "made contacts with everyone around the clock in order for things to not get out of control and for fighting not to take place."

In addition, an Egyptian intelligence delegation headed by Major General Ahmed Abdelkhaliq arrived in Israel on Saturday and would be traveling to Gaza, as well.

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland has also been involved in efforts to reach a ceasefire.

Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.

Rocket sirens sounded in the Jerusalem area for the first time in over a year, and again in the Gaza border communities after nearly six hours of quiet. Over 580 rockets have been launched toward Israel since the beginning of Operation Breaking Dawn, the IDF said Sunday morning on the third day of fighting. 

As of Sunday morning, approximately 450-470 of the rockets launched from the Strip fell in Israel and 120 fell inside the Strip itself.

Two hundred of them were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system for an interception rate of 97%. 

The Eshkol regional council said on Sunday that a missile hit a municipality home. The family was in the home's bomb shelter and the structure itself sustained some damage. Additionally, a fragment of a missile fell in an open area in Sderot, the municipality announced, adding that no injuries were reported. 

Missile fragment in lands in Sderot after being fired from the Gaza Strip, August 7, 2022. (credit: SDEROT MUNICIPALITY)

Since the beginning of the operation, the IDF targeted 140 Islamic Jihad figures, including senior and anti-tank missile operatives. The military also destroyed 10 rocket launch sites, six military sites, and eight terror cells that were on the way or coming back from launching rockets.

Israel Air Force jets also destroyed an attack tunnel belonging to the Islamic Jihad in the south and central part of the Strip.

While it didn't cross into Israel, it came close to the border. 

Joint IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police arrests of Islamic Jihad operatives in the West Bank, August 7, 2022. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Who are the targets of the IDF?

IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ran Kohav confirmed on Sunday morning that senior Islamic Jihad operative Khaled Mansour was killed in an Israeli airstrike along with two other senior PIJ operatives who were with him in his home. According to the Israeli military, the commander of the terror group’s Rafah Brigade, Khattab Amassi, and Mansour’s deputy, Ziad Madalal.

Mansour was equivalent to a general, Kohav said, adding that the strike against him was approved and coordinated by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. 

Mansour was the group’s equivalent to Tayseer al-Jabari in the southern part of the Gaza Strip and was behind numerous missile and anti-tank-guided missile attacks against Israel. 

During Operation Guardian of the Walls last May, Mansour commanded over the launching of heavy rockets toward the Israeli cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon and worked to implement offensive plans against IDF forces and Israeli citizens.

According to the army, he took responsibility for the attack in which the late Major Eliraz Peretz and the late Staff Sgt. Ilan Sviatkovsky were killed in 2010.

Joint IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police arrests of Islamic Jihad operatives in the West Bank, August 7, 2022. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

West Bank arrests

Israeli security forces also arrested 20 Islamic Jihad operatives overnight in the West Bank as part of Operation Break the Wave.

The arrests were made in Jenin, Seida near Tulkarm, Anza, Ra'i, and in Tulkarem’s refugee camp, where six of the arrests took place. Suspects were also arrested in El-Khader and Beit Fajjar near Bethlehem, and in Nablus where clashes broke out with Palestinians throwing stones and opening fire on IDF troops.

Sirens

After a lull of about five hours, rocket sirens blared in two southern Israel communities close to the Gaza border. The alarms sound in Kissufim and Ein HaShlosha.

Later sirens sounded in the Jerusalem area, including in the communities of Neve Ilan, Har Adar, and the Israeli-Arab town of Abu Gosh. Rockets sounded simultaneously in Gaza border communities.

The Magen David Adom emergency service says that since the beginning of the operation, it has taken 28 people to hospital for injuries. The majority of them were in light condition or were taken for treatment for anxiety.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, 32 people have been killed in the Strip the majority of them Islamic Jihad operatives.

Tisha Be'av Jerusalem tensions

Islamic Jihad addressed the killings Sunday morning, stating: "The Zionist aggression in the city of Rafah killed him, as well as the holy warriors Ziad al-Mudlal, Rafat Saleh, and four residents of our people - including a boy and two women whose bodies were found under the rubble."

The organization threatened that "Khaled Mansour's blood will ignite the defense system for Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, which the settlers will break into today."

"Khaled Mansour's blood will ignite the defense system for Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, which the settlers will break into today."

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Stopping Islamic Jihad in its tracks

What about the attack in Jabaliya? 

An explosion in Jabaliya on Saturday night killed at least nine people, including at least four children. While it was initially blamed on an Israeli airstrike, the military denied that it played any part in it, stating that it was caused by a failed rocket launch by Islamic Jihad and that it had radar showing the launch of the rocket from a launcher place close to the mosque where the incident occurred.

"The Palestinians understand that it wasn't Israel's doing. We have nothing to hide."

IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ran Kohav

"We have more and more information coming in confirming that it was a failed launch," said Kohav, not an IDF strike. "The Palestinians understand that it wasn't Israel's doing. We have nothing to hide."