The Facts of operation
"Protective Edge"
Everything
you need to know about Operation Protective Edge, from destroyed terror tunnels
to rocket attacks on Israel. Just the facts.
The IDF initiated Operation Protective Edge to put an end to the
terror attacks emanating from Gaza. In the three weeks leading up to July 8,
terrorists fired 250 rockets capable of reaching Israel’s largest
population centers and endangering 3.5 million Israeli lives. More than half
a million Israelis had less than 60 seconds to find shelter after
hearing a rocket siren. Tens of thousands had only 15 seconds.
The Rocket Threat
The IDF initiated Operation Protective Edge in response to incessant,
indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza directed at Israeli civilians.
Between July 8 and August 6:
·
Terrorists in Gaza
fired 3,360 rockets at Israel.
·
2,303 rockets hit Israel.
·
115 rockets hit populated areas in Israel.
·
584 rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome.
·
119 rocket launches failed.
·
475 rockets landed within the Gaza Strip.
Before the operation, IDF intelligence assessed that terrorists in
Gaza held approximately 10,000 rockets. 1/3 of these rockets were
were fired at Israel, and an additional 1/3 were destroyed by IDF
forces.
The Tunnel Threat
On July 17, IDF ground troops were moved into Gaza
to locate and destroy theunderground
tunnel network used by Hamas to infiltrate
and attack Israel.
Between July 17 and August 5:
·
IDF forces neutralized
32 terror tunnels.
·
14 of these tunnels crossed into Israel.
·
2 tunnels had access points located 300m-500m
from Israel.
Hamas exploited civilian infrastructure
Hamas abuses the civilians and civilian
infrastructure of Gaza for terrorist purposes. These abuses
constitute severe
violations of international law.
Between July 8 and August 5:
·
Terrorists fired 597
rockets from civilian facilities in Gaza.
·
Approximately 260
rockets were fired from schools.
·
Approximately 160
rockets were fired from religious sites, including mosques.
·
Approximately 127
rockets were fired from cemeteries.
·
Approximately 50
rockets were fired from hospitals.
IDF struck terror sites throughout Gaza
A primary objective of Operation Protective Edge was to strike a
heavy blow to the military capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist
organizations in Gaza and thus eliminate the threats to Israel’s national
security.
Between July 8 and August 5, IDF aerial, naval and ground forces
struck 4,762 terror sites across the Gaza Strip, including:
·
1,678 rocket launching facilities.
·
977 command and control centers.
·
237 military administration facilities.
·
191 weapons storage and manufacturing facilities.
·
144 training and military compounds.
·
1,535 additional terror sites.
From July 8 to August 5, the IDF targeted terrorists in Gaza
responsible for the planning and execution of attacks on Israeli soldiers and
civilians.
·
IDF forces targeted at
least 253 Hamas terrorists.
·
At least 147
Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.
·
At least 65
terrorists of various smaller organizations.
·
At least 603
terrorists of unknown affiliation.
In addition, 159 terrorist suspects have been questioned by
Israeli security forces.
IDF transferred supplies into Gaza
Despite Hamas’ incessant attacks, including on the Kerem Shalom
border crossing, the IDF continued to transfer
thousands of supply trucks into Gaza during Operation Protective
Edge.
From July 8 to August 5:
·
The IDF transferred 1,856
trucks carrying 40,550 tons of supplies into Gaza.
·
37,178 tons of foods.
·
1,694 tons humanitarian goods.
·
1,029 tons of medicine and medical supplies.
Operation Protective Edge succeeded in striking a heavy blow to
terrorists in Gaza. Hamas’ underground terror network was knocked out, and
quiet has been restored to southern Israel. All of Israel is now safer.
