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 United States and the United Kingdom affirmed Israel's right to protect its citizens from Gaza rockets, as the United Nations Security Council prepared to meet Monday to discuss the escalation in cross-border violence between the IDF and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

"In light of the concerning developments" in Gaza the United Arab Emirates along with France, Ireland, Norway and China "called for a closed meeting to be held on Monday 8th of August," the UAE's mission tweeted on Saturday night.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said that her country was gravely concerned by the escalating situation, deplored Palestinian civilian casualties and condemned the firing of rockets at Israel.

France "reiterates its unconditional commitment to the security of Israel," she said. It calls "on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any further escalation, which would first and foremost affect civilian populations."

France has a permanent seat on the 15-member UNSC, as do the US and Great Britain. All three have veto power over any UNSC move.'

Rockets are launched from Gaza Strip towards Israel as it is seen from Ashkelon, Israel, August 6, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/ILAN ROSENBERG)

The United States on Saturday said it stood with Israel, with a State Department spokesman explaining that the Biden administration "fully supports Israel's right to defend itself."

The spokesperson cautioned, however, "We are urging all sides to avoid further escalation."

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said on Saturday that “Israel has every right to self-defense from Iranian-backed terrorists committed to annihilating the State of Israel, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ),"

He spoke one day after the IDF launched a pre-emptive strike on Gaza, killing PIJ commander Tayseer al-Jaabar. The strike set off a weekend of intense violence in which the IDF struck terror targets in the strip to eliminate the threat from the PIJ and Palestinians launched over 400 rockets at Israel, some 15% of which landed in Gaza and never reached Israel.

At least 24 Palestinians, including six children, have been killed and 203 wounded during the two days of firing, according to the Gaza health ministry. The death toll includes those killed by failed Islamic Jihad rockets such as the four children killed in Jabalia. According to the IDF at least 12 of those killed were Islamic Jihad operatives.

'Constant vigilance'

"The malicious ideologies attacking Israel undermine US interests in the region and demand our constant vigilance."

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Menendez called for an end to 'indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel" and offered his condolences to the family so the "innocent whose lives have been lost as a result of the escalation in Gaza."

He explained that "the malicious ideologies attacking Israel undermine US interests in the region and demand our constant vigilance."

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who spoke with Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday “underscored Israel’s right to self-defense and the enduring US commitment to Israel’s security,” according to the US Department of Defense.

“Austin urged steps to de-escalate the situation. He also expressed concern regarding reports of civilian deaths and called for a timely and thorough investigation into any civilian casualties,” the DoD stated.

Israel also received strong support from the United Kingdom. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Saturday that  "the UK stands by Israel and its right to defend itself. We condemn terrorist groups firing at civilians which have resulted in casualties on both sides. We call for a swift end to the violence."

The Palestinian envoy to the UK Husam Zomlot attacked her statement. "This is an unacceptable one-sided statement. A five-year-old child was killed by Israel’s unprovoked bombardment of Gaza yesterday. Most of the casualties are civilians. Do you condemn this? Do you condemn an illegal and belligerent occupation and blockade?"

The European Union spokesperson called for “maximum restraint” to avoid further escalation and further casualties.

“While Israel has the right to protect its civilian population, everything must be done to prevent a broader conflict – which would, first and foremost, affect the civilian populations on both sides and result in further casualties and more suffering.”

Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said he was concerned about the impact of Israeli strikes on civilians and condemned the rocket fire. Coveney called for "everyone to act with restraint and reduce tensions." His country is one of 10 non-permanent UNSC members.

A senior member of the Gaza-based terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Muhammad al-Hindi, has called for Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up against Israel, saying "the West Bank must start with a popular resistance," Israeli media reported early Sunday morning amid the IDF's ongoing Operation Breaking Dawn.

IDF operations in the West Bank

This comes amid reports of ongoing IDF operations against Palestinian Islamic Jihad forces in the West Bank.

Earlier Sunday morning, Israeli media reported that the IDF arrested Nasser Amor, a senior member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, at his home in the village of Anza, southwest of Jenin.

The IDF also reportedly arrested senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Sheikh Bassam Diab near Jenin, N12 reported early Sunday morning, citing Palestinian reports.

Israeli forces have also reportedly been operating in the West Bank city of Nablus, according to N12, citing Palestinian media.

A salvo of rockets is fired from Gaza City toward Israel, on August 6, 2022. (credit: MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Operation Breaking Dawn

All this comes as the IDF has been carrying out Operation Breaking Dawn against Palestinian Islamic Jihad forces in the Gaza Strip since Friday. This follows Israeli security forces arresting Bassem al-Saadi, the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the West Bank, and his son-in-law Ashraf Zidan Molmad Aljada overnight on Monday during a raid in Jenin. Following this, Israel's South was put on alert, especially in the Gaza border area, with restrictions put in place amid fears of possible retaliation from the Gaza-based terrorist group.

Over 350 rockets have also since been fired into Israel from Gaza, with sirens and explosions even being heard in central Israel cities like Tel Aviv.

Currently, the IDF operation is still ongoing, with the Israeli military claiming that, to the best of its knowledge, it has succeeded in taking out all senior members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.

This is a developing story.

Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.

Amid the exchange of rocket fire and airstrikes between Gaza and Israel as Operation Breaking Dawn reaches its third day, Arkia Israeli Airlines has begun offering free vacation packages to Israeli residents of the Gaza border communities, including free flights and hotel reservations, Kan News reported on Saturday.

In cooperation with regional councils, the airline is offering residents the choice of staying in Cyprus, Greece or Bulgaria for three to four nights.

The packages are currently available for residents of Eshkol Regional Council and Ashkelon.

To subsidize the packages, the government is granting the airline NIS 320 per person and the airline will subsidize the rest.

Separately, the Nature and Parks Authority is offering Israelis who live within 40 km of the Gaza Strip free entry to national parks and nature reserves starting from Sunday until Wednesday. Residents can sign up through the Nature and Parks Authority website.

THE VERT HOTEL, the latest in the grand tradition on the Jerusalem site. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Additional offers

Additionally, Africa Israel Hotels, which owns several hotel chains including Vert, Crowne Plaza and Indigo hotels, is offering a 25% discount to residents of southern Israel.

Furthermore, the Giladi Hotel is offering rooms plus breakfast for couples with two children for NIS 944 per night between Sunday and Tuesday only.

Finally, the Villa Galilee hotel is offering 50% off to southern Israel residents for accommodation from August 6-9. Guests who book a stay with this offer will also have access to the restaurant and spa, according to the Kan News report.

The United Nations and Egypt made an intense push to end the latest outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza, as the United States said it was also engaged with the parties.

Egypt has been a longstanding broker between Israel and Gaza and has facilitated indirect talks for a restoration of calm during past outbreaks of violence.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that his country was working to end the violence that escalated on Friday.

Egypt “made contacts with everyone around the clock in order for things to not get out of control and for fighting to not take place,” El-Sisi said in a speech he gave on Saturday, according to the Egyptian Ahram Online website.

An Egyptian intelligence delegation headed by Major General Ahmed Abdelkhaliq arrived in Israel on Saturday and would be traveling to Gaza for mediation talks, two Egyptian security sources said. They were hoping to secure a day's ceasefire in order to carry out the talks, the sources added.

Wennesland's and Nides's statements

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland has also been involved in substantive efforts to end the violence, with a diplomatic source saying on Saturday that “intensive efforts are ongoing right now.”

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)

Wennesland said on Friday, “I am deeply concerned by the ongoing escalation between Palestinian militants and Israel, including the targeted killing today of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader inside Gaza. This takes place amidst mounting tensions across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip in recent weeks.”

“I am deeply concerned by the ongoing escalation between Palestinian militants and Israel, including the targeted killing today of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader inside Gaza."

Tor Wennesland

“In the past few hours, at least 10 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes. I am deeply saddened by reports that a five-year-old child has been killed in these strikes. There can be no justification for any attacks against civilians,” he stated.

“The launching of rockets must cease immediately, and I call on all sides to avoid further escalation.”

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted on Friday, "The United States firmly believes that Israel has a right to protect itself.” He added that “we are engaging with different parties and urge all sides for calm.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

The ascension of Jewish worshipers to the Temple Mount as part of Tisha Be'av prayers began on Sunday despite security concerns, with thousands already up, according to The Temple Mount Administration.

After thousands of worshipers filled the Western Wall plaza throughout the night under the security of Jerusalem police, the morning prayers have begun

Israel Police conducted a situation assessment on Sunday morning, headed by Israel Police Chief Kobi Shabtai, and said it was prepared for the influx, stating that police "intend to prevent provocations and ensure that there are no clashes between the Arab and Jewish worshipers on the Temple Mount."

On Saturday night, Prime Minister Yair Lapid held a special assessment of the situation against the backdrop of Operation Breaking Dawn, in which he decided not to cancel the Jewish ascent to the Temple Mount due to the fighting against the Palestenian Islamic Jihad.

It was also decided to allow Otzma Yehudit head MK Itamar Ben-Gvir )(Religious Zionist Party) to join worshipers on the Mount.

In response to Ben Gvirs's announcement, he received murder threats on his cellphone and Facebook. "We will cut off your head" read posters shared on Palestinian media.

"The threats will not scare me and I will not submit to them. The police should catch the perpetrators and arrest them immediately. This morning I will go up to the Temple Mount and remind everyone that we are the owners of the holiest place for the people of Israel," he said in response.

The visit of Otzma Yehudit's chairman was coordinated with Knesset officers and Israel Police a week ago, Ben Gvir said in a statement on Saturday.

"We cannot give in to the terror — we are the rightful owners of the State of Israel and as long as we act like it, our enemies will get the message," the MK said.

Hamas comments

Hamas stated about "the Israeli plans to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque" that it "rejects the Israeli occupation’s permission for extremist Zionists to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque tomorrow. We hold the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of this violation committed amid the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip."

The terror group also called on Palestinians and Muslims worldwide to "defend Al-Aqsa Mosque and face Israeli violations at the holy compound."

Sunday's events to continue as planned

"The police insist on not allowing the terrorist organizations to influence what is happening on the Temple Mount and will overcome the city with large forces."

Police spokesperson

Meanwhile, KAN quoted a police spokesperson saying that all events that had been planned for Sunday, including a march to the Temple Mount, would be allowed to proceed, despite the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Gaza.

"The police insist on not allowing the terrorist organizations to influence what is happening on the Temple Mount and will overcome the city with large forces," the spokesperson said, according to KAN. "Any provocation or riot will be met with a determined and aggressive response."

Hundreds of people protested against Operation Breaking Dawn on Saturday in differing locations throughout the country.

At a protest in Haifa, Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh said: “A round [of fighting] brings another round, more killing and more resistance. The circle of horror needs to stop. We came out to protest together for the only way that will benefit both nations – real negotiations to end the occupation, founding a Palestinian state alongside Israel and a just peace."

MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint List) also joined one of the protests.

“Stop the attack on Gaza! Continuing the war on Gaza will only lead to more suffering and casualties,” she said. “An immediate ceasefire is necessary – those who started it with a political decision should end it with a political decision. Only a diplomatic solution and an end to the occupation and siege will bring true security.”

“A round [of fighting] brings another round, more killing and more resistance. The circle of horror needs to stop. We came out to protest together for the only way that will benefit both nations – real negotiations to end the occupation, founding a Palestinian state alongside Israel and a just peace."

Ayman Odeh

Protests were also held in Shfaram, Umm el-Fahm, Rahat, Kafr Yasif, Jaffa, Taibe and opposite the house of Prime Minister Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv.

Protests against Operation Breaking Dawn August 6, 2022. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

The protesters held handmade signs calling for an end to the violence and at some places waved Palestinian flags.

Earlier condemnations

On Friday and earlier on Saturday, a number of MKs from Meretz and the Joint List condemned Israel’s decision to launch the operation.

“Enough with the optional attack on Gaza! Assassinations and bombings will only lead to more suffering and destruction and will not bring any security to the citizens of Israel,” Touma-Sliman wrote on Twitter. “Lapid is trying to prove that he is a ‘bitchonist’ [security hawk] by spreading destruction in Gaza and [making] Israelis enter bomb shelters.”

MK Ofer Cassif, also of the Joint List, wrote on Twitter: “The barter attack – blood for votes. The cynical use of violence by Lapid and Gantz in the hope of [getting] more mandates in the election will only lead to a sea of tears and blood, in the Gaza ghetto, where two million people have been imprisoned for 15 years, and also in Israel,” he wrote.

“The attack has already claimed the life of 5-year-old Alaa Kadum. Enough! Stop the fire now!”

Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej of Meretz wrote on Twitter:

“There are no winners in wars, but mainly scared citizens and children. Fear does not depend on nationality or religion, but is common to all of us and we are all obliged to do everything to bring calm as soon as possible,” he wrote.

“In the end, the fighting will end, but without a political [peace] initiative there will not be quiet for long. Don’t be afraid to speak, it’s the only way to stop fear.”

Finally, Zehava Galon, candidate to lead Meretz, wrote on Twitter:

“It’s time to stop the fighting before more innocent people get hurt, before the story gets complicated. The rounds of fighting in recent years did not remove the threat of rockets and mortars, and did not bring security and peace to the South. Blood continued to be shed in Gaza and the surrounding settlements, and the fear and hatred only increased,” she wrote.

“The solution to the reality of war is long-term calm and peace negotiations.”

It is futile for Israel’s Arabs to condemn the Knesset’s Arab parties because they do not have any influence on decision-making in matters of national security, Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas argued on his Facebook account Saturday in response to Operation Breaking Dawn.

The post, written in Arabic, was Abbas’ response to criticism leveled at him by Sheikh Kamal Khatib, the Islamic Movement’s deputy leader who attacked Abbas and Joint List chairman MK Ayman Odeh; Abbas for being “part of a coalition that is bombing Gaza” and the Odeh for recommending Defense Minister Benny Gantz as prime minister earlier in the current election cycle.

“War is an opportunity to confront reality,” his post began.

“[I am] beginning to wonder why we are always looking out for our own skin right after every event? Then I wonder about the demand to take a stance on war, and can we only denounce and reject the war and condemn the occurrence and innocent casualties?! I am most surprised by the accusations against the Arab parties, as if the war was started and stopped by these parties,” Abbas wrote.

“After all I have read and heard, today I see an opportunity to face one another with the truth. And I’m talking about all Arab parties, whether Ra’am which entered the coalition, which has practically ended after the dissolution of the Knesset, or the other parties, which are under attack for recommending Gantz [for Prime Minister earlier in the current election cycle], or favoring others,” Abbas wrote.

Mansour Abbas attends a hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

"Today I see an opportunity to face each other with the truth. And I'm talking about all Arab parties, whether Ra'am which entered the coalition, which practically ended after the dissolution of the Knesset."

Mansour Abbas

“The truth is that Arab parties have no actual influence regarding security and foreign decisions in the country. Anyone who says otherwise is selling illusions to our people and society.”

Abbas has been making this argument ever since he joined the coalition, but writing it during the hostilities themselves is rare.

“On this very basis, [Ra’am] chose to be part of the coalition, not the government, and rejected ministerial portfolios, so as not to be present in the discussion about war decisions and other difficult decisions for us as Arabs.

“The most important role that we as Arab representatives can play in parliament is to take care of issues [having to do with] the Arab community and obtaining their rights… Our decision to enter the coalition was because [we] could not solve the burning issues of the Arab community from outside of the circle of influence,” Abbas wrote.

"Working for the benefit of society"

“Although I have been in parliament for a relatively short time, I have worked and met for the benefit of our society with Netanyahu, Bennett, Gantz, Lapid and others, and I can say from experience that there is no difference between them in foreign affairs and security.

“Portraying parliament as a national struggle is a mistake and a delusion, and Arab parties should recognize this fact. There are other battlegrounds that have their role and mechanisms of action, and we in parliament must define… our role with absolute transparency in front of the people … realistically and logically,” Abbas concluded.

The post came as Joint List politicians joined protests in a number of locations across the country against the operation.  

Russia has condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip after the IDF struck multiple Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets throughout Friday afternoon and Saturday, releasing a statement by the spokesperson for the minister of foreign affairs on Saturday afternoon.

In the written statement shared on the ministry's website, Russia's spokesperson for the foreign minister Maria Zakharova said that "Moscow is seriously concerned about a new round of armed violence in the zone of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Russia, who have been engaged in what they have dubbed a "special military operation" in Ukraine since February 24 of this year, stated that "another escalation was provoked by Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on August 5, in response to which Palestinian groups launched massive indiscriminate shelling of Israeli territory."

Adding that she was following the unfolding events with "deep concern," Zakharova said that "the resumption of a full-scale military confrontation" would further deteriorate the "already deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza."

Saying that Moscow called on all parties to show maximum restraint and to work towards a ceasefire, Zakharova added that the country reaffirms its "principled and consistent position, reflected in the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, in support of a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state principle.

Smoke rises during an Israeli air strike, amid Israel-Gaza fighting, in Gaza City August 6, 2022 (credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/REUTERS)

"It is possible to put an end to cyclical violence only within the framework of the negotiation process, the result of which should be the realization of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders," she concluded.

An attempt to divert attention away from Ukraine war?

Since invading Ukraine earlier this year, Russia has captured and taken control of multiple Ukrainian territories including Luhansk, Donetsk, Mariupol and Kherson. Also once considered Ukrainian territory, The Crimean Peninsula has been under Russian control since it was invaded and annexed by Russia in March 2014.

According to a UN report from July 16, over 5,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since February, many of them children.

Israel's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has repeatedly criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine, and before him, then-prime minister Naftali Bennet authorized multiple shipments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, although did not explicitly condemn Russia.

In what analysts have suggested is an attempt to divert attention away from their war in Ukraine, Russia has issued multiple condemnations against Israel, the most recent of which being Saturday's statement. 

Back in June, Russia circulated a drafted UN Security Council resolution condemning the bombing of the international airport in Damascus, which they blamed on Israel. And, since early July, an ongoing crisis has erupted between the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Russian government, which ordered the organization to cease all operations in the country.

Regardless of how and when the current round of fighting ends, it’s clear that the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad organization has managed to reassert its status as the second largest and most influential terror group in the Gaza Strip.

It’s also obvious that Islamic Jihad has become a major threat not only to Israel, but to Hamas as well. Similarly, it has also become a real threat to the Palestinian Authority, especially in the northern West Bank.

In the past several years, Islamic Jihad has been openly challenging Hamas by operating as a state-within-a-state in the Gaza Strip. Hamas leaders have always displayed intolerance towards rival groups in the coastal enclave.

Even more disturbing for Hamas is the fact that a number of other armed groups have joined Islamic Jihad in firing rockets at Israel in the past 24 hours. These groups are affiliated with Fatah, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Popular Resistance Committees and Nasser Salah a-Din Brigades.

The fighting in the Gaza Strip shows that Hamas is no longer the sole decision-maker on matters related to military confrontations with Israel. It further illustrates that Islamic Jihad is capable of acting as an independent military force without having to coordinate with, or receive permission from, Hamas.

A fireball and smoke erupt following an Israeli air strike on a building in Gaza City, on August 6, 2022. (credit: ATTIA MUHAMMED/FLASH90)

A statement published by the armed wing of Islamic Jihad on Saturday boasted that the terrorist groups were united in confronting the Israeli “aggression” on the Gaza Strip.

The statement, nonetheless, does not seem to reflect the reality on the ground, namely that Hamas has still not joined Islamic Jihad and its allies in the current round of fighting.

By Saturday afternoon, there was still no indication that Hamas was keen on joining the fighting. Statements issued by Hamas leaders offered nothing but lip service to Islamic Jihad and the other terrorist groups.

A terse statement by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said that he “affirmed during contacts with the Egyptian intelligence heads that what happened in the Gaza Strip is the responsibility of the occupation state alone.” Haniyeh, in addition, “stressed the need to stop the bombing targeting the Gaza Strip.”

Another statement released by Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum also failed to offer any hint that his group was planning to join the fighting. “The resistance, with all its military arms and factions, is united in this battle, will defend our people in the Gaza Strip with everything it possesses, and will defeat the occupation as it defeated it in all the battles,” said Barhoum.

At this stage, it’s obvious that Hamas does not want Islamic Jihad to drag it into another all-out confrontation with Israel. Hamas’s biggest fear is that another war could trigger a revolt against its regime by the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who paid a heavy price during last year’s military confrontation with Israel.

Hamas is now hoping that Egypt and Qatar will be able to achieve a new ceasefire between Israel and Islamic jihad. Although it is doing its utmost not to get involved in the fighting, Hamas is apparently worried that if the fighting escalates and the number of casualties rises in the Gaza Strip, it will no longer be able to continue sitting on the fence.

In the past, Hamas found itself in the same position that Islamic Jihad is in now, when it created a state-within-a-state under the rule of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority’s failure to rein in Hamas in the 1990s ultimately saw the Islamists seize control of the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2007 after toppling the Palestinian Authority.

Paradoxically, Israel’s military strikes against Islamic Jihad serve the interests of Hamas by undermining the organization that poses a threat to its rule over the Gaza Strip. But Hamas’s failure to assist Islamic Jihad could also prove to be counterproductive, especially in wake of increased voices criticizing the rulers of the Gaza Strip for their neutral stance.