Missiles in Beit Shemesh and Beitar • Dozens of homes of jihadist terrorists were bombed

May 12, 2023   

After 13 hours of silence in the south of the country: A red alert sounded this morning (Friday) in the Gaza Envelope and about 15 rockets were launched towards Israel.

The Iron Dome system intercepted four rockets, and the rest exploded in open areas or fell in the Gaza Strip. One rocket fell inside a greenhouse in Eshkol.

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hegary revealed today that an IDF investigation revealed that the direct hit on the building in Rehovot yesterday occurred due to a technical malfunction in the Iron Dome.

In a briefing to reporters, an IDF spokesman explained: "There was a volley in which the rocket was not intercepted by Iron Dome and it hit the building. We understand that there was a technical malfunction so that a missile was launched and did not hit.".

Current updates: 

17:55: Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah spoke in Lebanon and referred to the Gaza operation: "We know that the one who started the aggression in this round was Netanyahu by assassinating the senior members of the Al-Quds Force, women and children. But the world was silent about this crime. The US prevented a statement condemning the murder of women and children in Gaza. Netanyahu aims to strike at the leadership of the Al-Quds Force (the military wing of the jihad) and destroy its rocket force." 17:45: Senior political source: "The Islamic Jihad is looking for a ladder to climb down from and has not yet come to the conclusion that the price of loss is too great to bear. Every passing day widens the gap between Israel's successes and the Islamic Jihad's losses." 17:12: The one who was assassinated in an apartment in Gaza is Iyad al-Husni (Abu Anas), the replacement for Khalil al-Bathini, who was responsible for the organization's rocket array. 16:53: 45 casualties have been brought to Barzilai Medical Center since the start of the operation, of which: 20 suffered from panic attacks and 25 were in a light condition. 16:49: Gaza reports: Killing in an apartment that was attacked in the a-Nasr neighborhood, in the northern Gaza Strip. 16:13: Palestinian reports: The Abu Tir family home, which consists of 3 floors, was attacked and destroyed in the Khan Yunis area. In the latest wave of attacks, dozens of homes belonging to jihadist terrorists were bombed from the air, from where they either launched rockets or conducted the fighting. 15:36: IDF aircraft attacked two operational headquarters of the rocket unit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, which are used to plan and manage rocket fire towards the territory of the State of Israel. One of the headquarters attacked was used by Ahmed al-Hashash, responsible for rocket fire in the Rafah sector. 15:36: Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information in Gaza: "31 dead and 109 wounded since the beginning of the current escalation, during which 8 buildings were completely destroyed, 532 buildings were partially or significantly destroyed, of which 37 buildings are uninhabitable. "Schools have been completely shut down since the beginning of the escalation, and several schools have been damaged as a result of Israeli attacks near them." 15:21: An IDF aircraft recently attacked a Palestinian Islamic Jihad mortar launch position in the northern Gaza Strip, from which mortars were launched yesterday into Israeli territory. In addition, a combat helicopter attacked a Palestinian Islamic Jihad military position in the southern Gaza Strip and the organization's hidden rocket launchers throughout the Strip. 15:21: The Gaza Ministry of Health reports that 31 Palestinians have been killed so far. 14:51: After the efforts of the Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, a budget of NIS 1 million was approved for communities in the buffer zone to enable welfare activities for residents. Minister Wasserlauf: "I am pleased that we were able to enable the transfer of the important budget to the residents of the buffer zone who live under difficult conditions in the security reality. The respite activities that will be granted to them will make it easier for them during this period. I thank the staff of the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience who worked tirelessly to make this possible. On this occasion, I would like to send all residents of the surrounding area and the south a warm hug and encouragement." 14:44: "Knock on the roof" procedure in the Gaza Strip: The Air Force destroyed the home of a senior Islamic Jihad official. 14:28: Hamas' government information office: The power plant in Gaza could stop operating within 72 hours - due to a shortage of fuel supplies. 14:28: The Prime Minister and the head of the Mossad in a security consultation during the swearing-in ceremony for the mother of the Minister of Defense. Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO 14:05: In accordance with the assessment of the situation - attached are the special instructions in the home front that are updated on the national emergency portal, the instructions are valid from Friday at 14:00 until Saturday at 20:00: 13:55: Sources for the Saudi Al-Hadath channel: "The ceasefire negotiations failed - after Israel did not agree to stop the assassinations. The contact with senior officials in the security establishment continues and the talk of a complete freeze of contacts is inaccurate."'

 13:35: Although not involved in the shooting - Israel threatens Hamas: The assassinations of the top Jihad leaders were also reported to you

13:15: Netanyahu instructed: to continue with precise and targeted attacks and to severely harm Islamic Jihad. His decision was made after the shooting in the late morning hours. 13:00: In Beit Shemesh, shrapnel fell in two locations from an interceptor. They were examined by a police saboteur. There were no casualties. 12:53: Fighter jets attacked four Islamic Jihad military posts, one of which serves as the commander of the organization's Rafah Brigade. In addition, an aircraft attacked a mortar launch position of the terrorist organization in the southern Gaza Strip. In addition, this morning, an IDF aircraft attacked the firing range in the southern Gaza Strip from which Jihad had fired rockets towards the Gaza perimeter. 12:45: Islamic Jihad to Al Jazeera: The barrage on the Jerusalem hills is a message that is important for everyone to understand. 12:45: Direct hit on a house in Sderot. No injuries. Damage caused. 12:37: Senior political official after discussion with the Prime Minister: From the moment the shooting resumed after 13 hours, Israel told Egypt that the ceasefire talks were irrelevant at the moment. "The line with the Egyptians is currently disconnected," the official claimed. 12:34: For the second time - Hanan Ben Ari's performance, which was scheduled to take place in Sderot on Sunday, has been postponed. The singer wrote on Instagram: "The technical teams cannot enter the buildings by order of the army. We will announce a new date that will be announced soon. Anyone who requests a refund will receive it in full." 12:33: Firing towards the Judean Hills area: One launch was intercepted by the David's Sling system and the other by Iron Dome. 12:29: Firing towards the Jerusalem area: 2 rockets were fired and successfully intercepted. 12:15: IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip 12:06: Red paint in Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Shaar Hanegev, Mateh Yehuda, Gush Etzion, Eshkol

11:49: Report from Gaza: IDF attacks Rafah after rockets fired at Israel

11:21: Saudi Al-Hadath channel reports: "Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian factions are being renewed under Egyptian pressure. Egypt is working to reach a calm within 48 hours." 11:20: A short time ago, a barrage of about 15 rockets was fired at the Eshkol settlements. One rocket fell inside a greenhouse outside the settlement. The extent of the damage is not yet known. The rest were intercepted by Iron Dome or fell in open areas outside the settlements. There were no physical injuries.

11:18: Iron Dome intercepted 4 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip towards the settlements of the encirclement

11:14: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding another security assessment this morning (Friday), following the events of last night. Participating in the telephone conversation are Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Rabbi of the General Staff Tzachi Braverman, Rabbi of the National Security Council Tzachi Hanegbi, Rabbi of the Mossad David Barnea, Rabbi of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Maj. Gen. Avi, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Rasan Alian, and the Defense Minister's Military Secretary, Brigadier General Yaki Dolf.

11:07: After hours of silence: Red color in the Gaza envelope

10:40: The BBC reported this morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Egyptian President al-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken regarding the terms of a ceasefire with Islamic Jihad. This comes after an Egyptian official reported last night that the talks had failed. Israel is giving a good chance of a ceasefire being reached in the coming hours. In the meantime, the air force's strikes on the Gaza Strip are only being carried out as part of a deterrent. The elimination of additional senior figures if there is an opportunity will not be ruled out until a ceasefire agreement, if there is one. 8:45: Member of the Islamic Jihad political bureau, Muhammad al-Hindi, said: "The talks in Cairo are continuing, we hope to reach a respectable agreement that reflects the interest of the Palestinian people." 8:30: Since the start of Operation Shield and Arrow, 876 rockets have been launched at Israel, 163 of which fell in the Gaza Strip. 1 in 5 rockets fell in Gaza. 260 were intercepted, interception rate - more than 91%.