Following ten days of Hamas attacks against Israel and after repeated rejections of offers to deescalate the situation, the IDF has started a new phase of Operation Protective Edge. A large IDF force entered the Gaza Strip. Their mission is to target Hamas’ tunnels that cross under the Israel-Gaza border and enable terrorists to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks. The IDF intends to impair Hamas’ capability to attack Israel.
Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge more than 2,600 rockets have been fired from Gaza at Israel.
Tuesday, July 29
7:48 AM: The fifth soldier killed in combat yesterday during an attempted terrorist infiltration was Sgt. Nadav Raimond, 19. May his memory be blessed.
6:05 AM: Yesterday, five IDF soldiers were killed in combat when terrorists infiltrated Israel via a tunnel from Gaza and attempted to execute an attack. Among them: Sgt. Daniel Kedmi, 18; Sgt. Barkey Ishai Shor, 21; Sgt. Sagi Erez, 19; Sgt. Dor Dery, 18. May their memory be blessed.
3:11 AM: Moments ago, three rockets were fired from Gaza. Iron Dome intercepted one above Ashdod; two hit open areas in central Israel.
2:32 AM: Rocket sirens heard in Tel Aviv.
2:28 AM: Gaza terrorists fired rockets yesterday, hoping to kill Israelis. Instead, they hit a hospital and a refugee camp in Gaza.
12:18 AM: The names of the soldiers killed yesterday as a result of mortar fire: Staff Sgt. Eliav Eliyahu Haim Kahlon, 22; Staff Sgt. Adi Briga, 23; Cpl. Meidan Maymon Biton, 20; Cpl. Niran Cohen, 20. May their memory be a blessing.
Monday, July 28
9:55 PM: Staff Sgt. Moshe Davino, 20, from Jerusalem, was killed today in combat in the southern Gaza Strip. May his memory be blessed. In addition, four IDF soldiers were killed along the Gaza border today as a result of mortar fire. Their families have been notified.
9:37 PM: Confirmed: Terrorists infiltrated Israel via tunnel near Nahal Oz. IDF thwarted attack and killed one of the terrorists. Searches continue.
8:59 PM: Phone calls and text messages were sent to Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and Jabalia residents, warning them to evacuate immediately to central Gaza City.
8:11 PM: Initial reports that terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza in order to attack an Israeli community near the border. IDF forces responded.
7:23 PM: Phone calls were made and text messages were sent out to the civilian population of Shuja’iyya, Zeitoun and eastern Jabalia, calling them to evacuate themselves immediately towards central Gaza city.
6:09 PM: Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Shati Refugee Camp were struck by failed rocket attacks launched by Gaza Terrorists.
12:12 PM: The IDF targeted 2 concealed rocket launchers and a weapon manufacturing site in the northern and central Gaza Strip.
9:30 AM: Following the rocket that hit Ashkelon earlier, the IDF retaliated towards Beit Lahyia area, from which the rocket was fired.
7:30 AM: Moments ago, a rocket hit open area in southern Israel.
7:20 AM: Rocket sirens sound in Ashkelon.
Sunday, July 27
Summary of the day:
- More than 71 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 50 rockets hit Israel.
- 9 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck over 40 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 32 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
6:28 PM: An Israeli woman was wounded earlier today by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.
5:32 PM: The Iron Dome just intercepted 4 rockets over Be’er Sheva.
4:57 PM: Five rockets were just fired from Gaza toward Kiryat Gat. The Iron Dome intercepted four of them; one hit an open area.
Saturday, July 26
Summary of the day:
- More than 22 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 16 rockets hit Israel.
- 6 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck over 40 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 31 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
10:21 PM: Iron Dome intercepted two rockets above Ashkelon.
9:49 PM: Rocket sirens heard in central Israel.
9:40 PM: Moments ago, three more rockets launched from Gaza hit Israel.
8:30 PM: During the day, we found four more tunnel shafts in Gaza.
8:10 PM: Three mortars fired from Gaza hit Israel.
Friday, July 25
Updates by the Hour
9:27 PM: A short while ago, the Iron Dome intercepted one rocket over Gan Yavne and one rocket over Ramat Hasharon.
8:58 PM: At noon today, terrorists fired mortars & anti-tank missiles from near an UNRWA school in Gaza, killing IDF soldier taff Sgt. Guy Levy, 21, from Kfar Vradim. May his memory be a blessing.
6:34 PM: The Iron Dome just intercepted a rocket above Sderot.
5:00 PM: IDF paratroopers found a Hamas weapons cache containing many RPGs, grenades & suicide belts stuffed with shrapnel.
2:59 PM: IDF forces found anti-tank missiles and grenades today in a house in southern Gaza.
2:26 PM: A short while ago, the Iron Dome intercepted 3 rockets over the Ashkelon area.
2:22 PM: Master Sergeant (Res.) Yair Ashkenazy, 36, was killed today on the battlefield. May his memory be blessed.
1:22 PM: A rocket fired from Gaza hit an apartment building in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
12:05 PM: Two rockets were intercepted above central Israel in the last volley.
11:50 AM: Rocket sirens in Tel Aviv.
11:28 AM: Four rockets were fired from Gaza. Two were intercepted and two more landed in open areas.
9:59 AM: In central Gaza last night, the IDF found a civilian house containing explosives and loaded rocket launchers.
Thursday, July 24
Summary of the day:
- More than 63 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 43 rockets hit Israel.
- 15 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck over 90 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 31 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
10:36 PM: A short while ago, the Iron Dome intercepted a rocket above Eilat.
5:13 PM: IDF forces discovered a hidden weapons cache in a tunnel in Gaza.
11:33 AM: Three additional rockets were intercepted in central Israel. This makes five interceptions in central Israel in the past 10 minutes.
11:19 AM: Rocket siren and blasts heard in Tel Aviv.
11:12 AM: The Iron Dome just intercepted two rockets over Petah Tikva and Bat Yam.
11:02 AM: Rocket sirens heard in central Israel.
7:34 AM: The IDF struck 35 terror targets in Gaza overnight.
Wednesday, July 23
Summary of the day:
- More than 98 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 70 rockets hit Israel.
- 25 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 160 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 31 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
9:23 PM: The Iron Dome intercepted five rockets over central Israel; one rocket hit southern Israel.
9:01 PM: Rocket sirens heard across central Israel.
8:15 PM: Lt. Paz Elyahu, 22, Staff Sgt. Li Mat, 19 and Staff Sgt. Shahar Dauber, 20, were killed today on the battlefield. May their memory be blessed.
6:22 PM: The Iron Dome just intercepted two rockets over Gedera.
3:32 PM: We found weapons, maps and IDF uniforms in a Hamas tunnel today. This suggests terrorists planned to infiltrate and attack Israel undetected.
2:53 PM: About an hour ago, a rocket fired from Gaza killed a civilian near Ashkelon.
1:31 PM: Because Hamas uses Wafa Hospital for military purposes, the IDF has targeted specific sites and terrorists within the hospital grounds.
1:01 PM: We have destroyed 30-40% of Hamas’ rockets since starting our operation in Gaza.
11:01 AM: Five rockets were just intercepted above Ashkelon.
10:51 AM: So far today, Hamas fired 16 rockets from Gaza at Israel.
8:40 AM: Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, more than 2160 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza.
7:39 AM: Lt. Natan Cohen, 23, of the Armored Corps, was killed last night on the battlefield. May his memory be blessed. 5:45 AM: Two IDF soldiers were killed last night on the battlefield. One was Cpt. Dmitri Levitas, 26, of the Armored Corps. May his memory be blessed. 3:51 AM: The IDF continues to transfer goods into Gaza.
1:08 AM: Over 90 rockets were fired from Gaza yesterday, one of which hit an empty kindergarten in southern Israel.
Tuesday, July 22
Summary of the day:
- More than 90 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 70 rockets hit Israel.
- 18 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 260 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 30 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
11:37 PM: Today, Iron Dome shot down its 1,000th rocket.
10:02 AM: Rocket sirens in Tel Aviv.
9:25 AM: The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted 7 rockets above Ashdod.
6:00 AM: The IDF confirms that yesterday, Sgt. First Class Oded Ben Sira was killed on the battlefield defending the citizens of Israel. May his memory be blessed.
3:28 AM: Four rockets were fired from Gaza towards Be’er Sheva. One was intercepted by Iron Dome and three hit open areas.
1:48 AM: A rocket fired from Gaza hit an open area near Kafr Qasim in central Israel, nearly 100 km from Gaza.
1:35 AM: A Palestinian terrorist shot and severely injured an Israeli civilian in Judea and Samaria. IDF Forces are searching the area.
Monday, July 21
Summary of the day:
- More than 139 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 116 rockets hit Israel.
- 17 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 150 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 23 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
11:58 PM: The following brave soldiers fell in battle over the past 48 hours. May their memory be blessed: Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar, 38, Staff Sgt. Tal Ifrach, 21, Sgt. Nadav Goldmacher, 23, Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar, 38, Staff Sgt. Tal Ifrach, 21, and Sgt. Nadav Goldmacher, 23.
10:16 PM: The Iron Dome just intercepted two rockets over the Ashdod area.
9:26 PM: A short while ago a rocket hit an empty kindergarten in southern Israel.
8:08 PM: One of the IDF soldiers who was killed in battle today was Staff Sgt.Yuval Dagan, 22, from Kfar Saba.
7:49 PM: In the past 24 hours, 7 IDF soldiers were killed while fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
7:25 PM: IDF field hospital at Gaza border opened today. We are working with the Red Crescent to treat wounded Palestinians from Gaza.
12:15 AM: Last night, 13 soldiers from the Golani Infantry Brigade fell protecting the people of Israel. Among them: Maj.Tzafrir Baror, 32, Cpt.Tsvi Kaplan, 28, Sgt.Gilad Rozenthal Yacoby, 21, Sgt.Oz Mendelovich, 21, Sgt.Nissim Sean Carmeli, 21.
Sunday, July 20
Summary of the day:
- More than 87 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 70 rockets hit Israel.
- 16 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 187 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 13 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces since July 17.
Updates by the Hour
9:32 PM: So far today, 70 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel; an additional 16 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome.
8:53 PM: Rocket sirens heard in Ashdod, Yavne and the surrounding area.
6:35 PM: Yesterday during the early hours of the morning, 13 soldiers from the IDF’s Golani Brigade were killed by terrorists in several separate incidents. In the first incident, terrorists detonated an explosive device on an armored vehicle, causing the death of seven soldiers. In the second, terrorists opened fire at two IDF soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers returned fire, but one was killed. Later, IDF soldiers were attacked by a terrorist squad in northern Gaza, leading to the death of two soldiers. Lastly, three IDF soldiers lost their lives when they became trapped in a burning building.
3:41 PM: Despite Hamas’ continuous fire, the IDF has agreed to hold fire in Shuja’iya for an additional hour.
11:40 AM: We are building a field hospital for Palestinians in Gaza. It will open tonight on Israel’s side of the Erez crossing.
10:00 AM: The Iron Dome intercepted a rocket above Ashkelon.
4:00 AM: Yesterday, we facilitated the transfer of approx. 20 tons of medical supplies into Gaza through Kerem Shalom Crossing. Watch here.
3:20 AM: 2nd Lt. Bar Rahav, 21, and Sgt. Bnaya Rubel, 20, were killed yesterday while fighting Hamas terrorists.
2:30 AM: We are currently expanding our ground operation against Hamas in Gaza.
Saturday, July 19
Summary of the day:
- More than 111 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 88 rockets hit Israel.
- 18 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 140 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 13 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces.
Updates by the Hour
11:12 PM: Today we facilitated the transfer of five trucks carrying 100 tons of medicine and supplies via the Erez crossing en route to hospitals in Gaza.
10:21 PM: Since IDF ground forces entered Gaza on July 17, they have killed 70 Hamas terrorists.
10:07 PM: Earlier today, IDF soldiers neutralized a terrorist in Gaza who was wearing an explosive belt. IDF found handcuffs and tranquilizers on site.
10:06 PM: Moments ago, a terrorist emerged from a concealed tunnel shaft in Gaza and fired at IDF forces. IDF troops responded, killing him.
9:57 PM: Revealed for publication: The Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel this morning and killed two IDF soldiers were wearing IDF uniforms.
8:37 PM: While searching a civilian house in Gaza today, IDF combat engineers found several rooms rigged with explosives.
7:46 PM: A short while ago, the Iron Dome intercepted a rocket over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
7:25 PM: Sgt. Adar Barsano, 20, and Maj. (res.) Amotz Greenberg, 45, were killed today while fighting Hamas terrorists.
6:18 PM: A few moments ago, the Iron Dome intercepted three rockets over Beer Sheva.
4:15 PM: A short time ago, two Hamas terrorists fired at IDF soldiers in Southern Gaza. We returned fire and killed the attackers. No harm to our forces.
2:28 PM: So far today, IDF forces operating in Gaza have uncovered three openings to Hamas’ vast tunnel network.
1:12 PM: Israeli civilian killed by Hamas rocket fire on southern Israel. Several others wounded.
12:50 PM: Hamas terrorists attempted to infiltrate Israel through an underground tunnel and massacre civilians in an Israeli community. IDF forces opened fire at the infiltrators. One terrorist was killed; the others escaped to Gaza. Two of our soldiers were wounded. The attack against Israeli civilians was thwarted.
10:16AM: Yesterday, Hamas attacks Israeli soldiers with explosive donkey.
7:50 AM: Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured and one was severely injured overnight in a confrontation with Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza.
3:41 AM: A short time ago, five rockets were fired at southern Israel. Four were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, and one struck a residential area in Ashdod.
Friday, July 18
Summary of the day:
- More than 135 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.
- At least 87 rockets hit Israel.
- 40 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
- The IDF struck 240 terror targets in the Gaza Strip.
- 10 terror tunnels were uncovered by IDF forces.
Updates by the Hour
10:31 PM: Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, more than 1,637 rockets were fired at Israel. Of them 1,228 of the rockets hit Israel and an additional 340 rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome. Furthermore, seven IDF soldiers have been injured and approximately 53,200 reserve soldiers have been recruited.
Since the beginning of the ground phase of the operation, more than 135 rockets were launched at Israel, of them approximately 87 of the rockets hit Israel. One of them hit a kindergarten in Gan Yavne and another caused damage to a home in the Sha’ar HaNegev regional council. An additional 40 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome.
9:28 PM: For the second time today, the Iron Dome intercepted two rockets above the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
9:15 PM: Rocket sirens sounded in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. A number of explosions were heard.
6:33 PM: IDF uncovers more tunnels used for terror in the Gaza strip.
6:05 PM: The Iron Dome intercepted two rockets over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Rocket sirens heard across southern Israel.
5:57 PM: Rocket sirens heard in Tel Aviv.
4:00 PM: An armored unit in Gaza saw two terrorists preparing to fire anti-tank missiles. IDF soldiers opened fire and identified hits.
4:00 PM: IDF uncovers tunnel used for terror in the Gaza Strip.
- Gaza Terror Tunnel Uncovered
- Gaza Terror Tunnel Uncovered
2:00 PM: Since last night, we have neutralized 17 terrorists. An additional thirteen terrorists surrendered to the IDF and were taken for questioning. We have also targeted 21 rocket launchers and four terror tunnels.
10:16 AM: Seven rockets were intercepted over Ashdod.
9:22 AM: Two rockets landed in open areas near Ashkelon and Netivot.
8:13 AM: Earlier, the IDF targeted a terror tunnel. As a result of the strike, a rocket was discharged – proving the malicious purposes of the tunnel.
7:45 AM: Overnight, we neutralized 14 terrorists, destroyed 20 rocket launchers, carried out 9 strikes on tunnels and hit a total of 103 terror targets. Furthermore, since last night, about 50 rockets were fired from Gaza. Of them, 25 hit Israel and 20 were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
7:35 AM: An IDF soldier was killed in action during the ground operation in Gaza last night. His family has been notified.
3:37 AM: Earlier, an anti-tank missile hit an IDF heavy bulldozer in the southern Gaza Strip, causing damage. No injuries reported.
12:19 AM: Following the approval of the government of Israel, the IDF will call up an additional 18,000 reservists.
12:10 AM: Our soldiers are preparing to enter Gaza.
Thursday, July 17
10:41 PM: A large IDF force of infantry, tanks, artillery, combat engineers, and field intelligence is entering the Gaza Strip. The force is supported by the Israel Air Force, Navy, and other Israeli security agencies. A new phase of Operation Protective Edge has begun.
