The IDF's move: This is how a show of force was avoided in Tel Aviv before the ceasefire

May 21, 2021   

Following an assessment of the situation at the Home Front Command, it was decided today (Friday) to lift the defense restrictions, with the exception of educational activities in areas that were under guidance in the last 24 hours. What are your chances of winning a duplex? And why is your dream closer than ever? Sweet, savory, for a picnic or to make with kids? A special variety of recipes The IDF spokesman's statement said: "We ask that you be careful of falling objects in open spaces." Police sappers, in cooperation with the IDF, have been conducting scans since the early hours of the morning to locate fallen objects in open areas in the south and the lowlands in order to safely remove the fallen objects. The police said: "We call on the public to go out and enjoy nature, but to obey the safety instructions that save lives. If you notice a suspicious object or a fallen object, you should stay away and keep curious people away, and call the police. Israel Police sappers are prepared to handle any such report with the professionalism reserved only for them." This morning, the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened for trucks with humanitarian equipment that was supposed to enter the Gaza Strip, but remained within Israeli territory due to mortar shelling at the crossings. Last night, there was serious concern in the security establishment that Hamas would launch a heavy display barrage at the last minute into Tel Aviv and the Dan Bloc, leading to many casualties. Because of this, the two hours between midnight and 2 a.m. were dramatic. The IDF made sure to send a clear message to Hamas that the Israeli response to the firing at Tel Aviv would be disproportionate, and Egypt was even given a list of targets that would be attacked in the event of firing. At a briefing this morning, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Hedi Zilberman said: "We wanted to ensure that there would be no significant barrage by Hamas. Around midnight, we sent dozens of aircraft and planes ready to attack over the skies of Gaza with dozens of targets ready. We conveyed the message that if there were a significant barrage, we would attack." "Before the ceasefire went into effect, about 40 rockets were fired, 901 of which fell in open areas and the rest were intercepted. There was no need for the contingency plan - so we released the planes and aircraft back to their positions, we did not detect an attempt to hit aircraft or naval vessels. "Since 02:00 we have not detected any firing in the direction of Israel." The IDF spokesman reported that in Operation 'Guardian of the Walls', strategic Hamas projects were destroyed, and presented initial data: - The metro: We aimed to destroy Hamas' strategic project, we destroyed about 100 kilometers of underground. - About 25 senior terrorists and 200 terrorists were eliminated. - We hit about 340 launch vehicles, launch pits and command posts. - 570 rockets and launchers. - We hit about 230 surface-to-surface rocket capabilities, which were launched at medium ranges. - We attacked approximately 70 multiple rocket launchers. - 35 mortar attacks. - We severely damaged Hamas' production and reinforcement capabilities, development workshops and research institutes, which were also intended for upgrading weapons. - Attacking regime structures: 10 Hamas government offices, 11 internal security targets and 5 banks that manage terrorist funds. - Attacking terrorist infrastructure: including dozens of camps and outposts, dozens of command rooms, some of which were inside operative rooms, and 9 high-rise buildings that serve as infrastructure for terrorist activity. - Ground defense: thwarting raids, dozens of attack tunneling sites such as shafts, openings, buildings. - Dozens of anti-tank targets were thwarted, 7 aerial threats (mortars and drones), and two naval threats. - We intercepted about 90 percent of the rockets launched at Israel, this is a figure that we are constantly investigating, and this is the percentage that we know how to stand behind. "We will complete the remaining data in the coming days, when it is available, we will release it in an orderly manner," the spokesman said. "We did everything possible during the operation to make sure that people who should not be alive do not remain alive.". Last night, after 11 days of fighting as part of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect at 2:00 a.m. This was after the political-security cabinet unanimously accepted the recommendation of all security officials - the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, the head of the Mossad, and the head of the National Security Council - to approve the Egyptian initiative for a bilateral ceasefire without any conditions.