Operation Pillar of Cloud is into its fourth day, after yesterday missiles were again fired at Tel Aviv, and for the first time there was an attempt to hit Jerusalem, but the missile landed on open ground in the Gush Etzion area south of the city and caused no damage. At 16:30 today sirens sounded in the Dan region (Tel Aviv and the surrounding area). An Iron Dome battery is reported to have intercepted one missile, while another fell on open ground, causing no damage or injuries.
Hamas has published its conditions for a cease-fire on its Internet site. These include an end to targeted killings of its senior figures, opening of all border crossings, and an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
A house in Beer Tuvia sustained a direct hit from a rocket in a massive barrage aimed at Ashkelon this morning, but no-one was hurt. Five people were lightly injured when a rocket hit a house in Ashdod. A truck was also hit, but no-one was hurt in that incident.
The Israeli government has approved the mobilization of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a possible ground incursion in to the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile a fifth Iron Dome battery has been commissioned; it has been stationed in the Dan area.
Following the visit of Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil to the Gaza Strip yesterday, Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdesslem arrived there today in a gesture of solidarity.
This morning, an Israeli air raid caused considerable damage to the building containing the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh himself was not in the building at the time, and it is not clear if there were casualties. The raid was one of several attacking Hamas symbols of power. Two senior Hamas figures were also targeted and killed.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is due to come to the region early next week to try to end the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 17, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012