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2012 Gaza War

Coordinates: 30°40′N 34°50′E / 30.667°N 34.833°E / 30.667; 34.833
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For the manifestations of the presence of the God of Israel in the Torah, see Pillar of Cloud.
Operation Pillar of Defense
Part of Gaza–Israel conflict
Map of Gaza Strip and Israel
Map of Gaza Strip and Israel border
Date14 November 2012 – present
Location
Southern Israel and Gaza Strip
30°40′N 34°50′E / 30.667°N 34.833°E / 30.667; 34.833
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Israel

 Palestine Gaza Strip

Commanders and leaders
Israel Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister
Israel Ehud Barak
Minister of Defense
Israel Benny Gantz
Chief of General Staff
 Ismail Haniyeh
(Prime Minister of the Hamas Authority)
Ahmed Jabari  †
Casualties and losses
8 killed,[1] 70+ injured 13 killed, 115 injured[2]

Operation Pillar of Cloud[3] (Hebrew: עמוד ענן, Amúd Anán) is an ongoing Israel Defense Forces operation in the Gaza Strip, officially launched on 14 November 2012. The Israeli government has stated that the operation is in response to Palestinian militants firing over a hundred rockets from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel beginning on November 10.[4] The operation officially began with the assassination of Ahmed Jabari, chief of the Gaza military wing of Hamas.[5]

During the operation, Palestinian militants fired over 250 missiles and rockets into Israel, killing three civilians. The hostilities marked the first time that rockets were launched from Gaza toward the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Israel's largest.[6]

The United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Norway condemned the Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel and/or expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself. Iran, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey condemned the Israeli operation.

Timeline

5–13 November: Background

Main article: Gaza–Israel conflict

An uneasy truce between Gaza's Palestinian factions and Israel was interrupted in November.[7] Persistent Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli cities and towns, of which there were 92 in October,[8] continued. Qassam rocket attacks took place on November 4, 6 and 9.[9][10][11] On November 5, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian man who approached a fence near Gaza's border with Israel and ignored warning shots.[12][13] On November 8, Gazan militants blew up an explosives-packed tunnel that they had dug on the Gaza-Israel border, wounding four Israeli soldier in response to the killing of a 13-year-old boy by an Israeli helicopter earlier in the day.[14][15][16][17][18]

On November 10, Palestinian militants fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF Jeep on routine patrol on the Israeli side of the border, injuring four soldiers, one of them critically.[19][15][20][21][22] The IDF responded by immediately shelling the source of the fire as well as pre-selected targets in the Sa'ajiya area. Hamas spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that four people between 16 and 18 years old were killed.[23][21] Gaza terrorists then fired at least 30 rockets into southern Israel, causing the Color Red siren to sound in Ashdod and surrounding areas and prompting Israelis within seven kilometers of the Gaza Strip to remain near protected areas.[24]

The sides continued to exchange fire for several days after the incident. Palestinian militants fired more than 100 rockets, striking homes in Israeli cities, one landing near a school. Several Israelis were wounded by shrapnel, including two whose car sustained a direct hit.[25] Schools across southern Israel were closed, the Beersheba Mayor, Ruvik Danilovich, explaining, "we have experienced hits on our education institutions in the past ... 40,000 children will remain at home today because of the attack that hit us out of the blue."[26] Israel carried out further airstrikes in Gaza. Six Palestinian militants were killed, including one militant belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.[21]

The days before the operation, Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak made statements that "Israel's reaction will come at the appropriate time". However following a cabinet meeting in the morning prior to the air strike, Minister Benny Begin spoke on the radio to the effect that "the current exchange of hostilities seems to be over". These mixed messages; according to one Israeli analyst, the expected diplomatic repercussions from Egypt and the risks of a war on the eve of the Israeli elections are three factors designed to foster a laissez-faire atmosphere for Gaza's Palestinian leaders.[27]

An Israeli peace activist, Gershon Baskin, who was a mediator in the negotiations that resulted in the release of Gilad Shalit, reported that hours before the strike that killed Ahmed Jabari, he received a draft of a permanent truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. He stated that the timing of the strike will cost the lives of "innocent people on both sides."[28]

14–16 November: Operation

File:Long-Range Rocket Launch Site in Zeitoun Neighborhood.jpg
Long-Range Rocket Launch Site in Zeitoun Neighborhood

The operation began about 16:00 (Israel Time) with an airstrike targeting Ahmed Jabari, chief of Hamas's military wing.[29] Osama Hamdan, a Hamas representative in Lebanon, said the airstrike also killed Jabari's son. The IDF released a video of this airstrike.[30] This was followed by Israeli strikes against 20 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, including underground rocket launchers and an ammunition warehouse stocking Iranian-made, long-range Fajr-5 missiles.[31] The IDF said that many of the targeted weapon stashes were in residential areas and evidenced "the pattern of Hamas to use the population in Gaza as human shields." Israel claims to have destroyed most of this long-range capability.[32] An IDF spokesman said that the goal of the operation is to "bring back quiet to southern Israel, and ... to strike at terror organizations."[32] At the same time, Israeli spokespersons said that it would try "to avoid civilian casualties."[33]

Gazan militants continued to fire rockets towards the Israeli cities of Beersheba, Ashdod, Ofakim and the Shaar Hanegev and Eshkol Regional Council. The Iron Dome missile defense system made 43 interceptions.[34] About 55 rockets were launched on the evening of 14 November, including a Grad rocket fired in the direction of the Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona.[35] On the night of 14 November, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli cabinet had authorized a partial call-up of reservists in case they were needed for a large ground-based operation.[36]

On November 15, three Israelis, a man and two women, were killed when a rocket struck a four-storey building in Kiryat Malachi. The same day, 15 Palestinians were killed, including five militants and two children.[37]

Reactions

Israel

Israel On the first day of the operation, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said "Today we sent a clear message to Hamas and other terrorist organisations, and if it becomes necessary we are prepared to expand the operation."[38] According to Haaretz, President Shimon Peres updated U.S. President Barack Obama by phone and told him "Israel does not want an escalation but for the last five days we were under nonstop bombardment, mothers and children cannot sleep in peace at night. There is a limit to what Israel can withstand. Ahmed Jabari was behind many terror activities."[39]

Most Israeli political leaders, including Tzipi Livni, Shelly Yachimovich, Shaul Mofaz, and Naftali Bennett applauded the operation. However, leaders of the left-wing Meretz party voiced opposition on the radio and online.[40] The Israeli Foreign Ministry went into semi-emergency mode, canceling all vacations for its Jerusalem staffers.[39]

Gaza Strip

Gaza Strip On the 14th of November 2012, a statement from the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said "The occupation has opened the gates of hell on itself" and vowed that its militants would "continue the path of resistance".[41]

International

 Canada – Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird, issued a statement stating, "We fundamentally believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens from terrorist threats. [...] Just last weekend, more than 100 rockets rained down on civilians in southern Israel from positions in the Gaza Strip." The statement condemned the terrorist group Hamas and offered support for Israel's struggle against terrorism as well as its effort to bring peace and security to the region.[42]

 Egypt – Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi sated that "The Israelis must realise that this aggression is unacceptable and would only lead to instability in the region" and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.[43] The Foreign Ministry of Egypt berated the operation and called on Israel to halt its attacks. According to The Guardian, the chairman of the Freedom and Justice party, Saad El-Katatni, said: "The Egyptian people revolted against injustice and will not accept an attack on Gaza. The brutal aggression on Gaza proves that Israel has not yet learned that Egypt has changed".[44] The recently appointed Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Yasser Reda, has been summoned back to his capital, for briefing, in reaction to the strikes.[45] An Egyptian official reported that Egyptian hospitals are ready to receive wounded Palestinians and that the Rafah Crossing will remain open.[46]

 France The French Foreign Ministry released a statement saying: "France is exceedingly worried about the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the South of Israel. It is calling on the parties to refrain from any escalation of violence since the Israeli and the Palestinian civilian population would inevitably pay the price." French ambassador to Israel Christophe Bigot visited Kiryat Malachi, where three Israeli civilians were killed, and expressed his solidarity with Israeli victims of rocket attacks.[47]

 Germany German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said: "It is obvious that Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself and protect its own citizens against rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip... Now it is necessary that everyone contributes to deescalating the situation. Everybody needs to understand that we need to prevent worse things from happening. We call upon all parties to act wisely and in a deescalating manner."[47]

 Iran – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast berated the Israeli strikes, saying that they were a "sign of the regime's brutal nature".[48]

 Jordan Jordanian Information Minister Sameeh Maaytah said: "Israel’s aggressive policy placed the area again in a cycle of violence and instability. This additional hostility... closes all doors on negotiations and the achievement of political arrangements. Israel deprives the Palestinian people of their political and national right to create an independent state... Israel’s aggression needs to be stopped and the Palestinian people need to be protected."[47]

 Norway – Norwegian Foreign Minister said he is worried about the escalation of violence between the Palestinians and Israelis of which leader of the Hamas military Ahmed Jabar was killed. He said the rocket attacks on Israel are "clearly unacceptable" and that Israel has a right to defend itself. He added that reactions must be proportional and must distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.[49]

 Qatar – After a meeting in the Saudi capital between Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers and their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss Syrian Civil War, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani told journalists "I condemn in the name of Qatar... This filthy crime must not pass without a punishment. The UN Security Council must shoulder its responsibilities in preserving peace and security in the world."[50]

 Russia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for end to the violence after a meeting held with Gulf Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh.[51] Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said: "The attacks on southern Israel, as well as Israel’s disproportionate shelling, are entirely unacceptable. We urge all sides to end the military confrontation immediately and to prevent a new round of bloodshed in the Gaza Strip."[47]

 Syria – The Syrian Government called Israel's actions "barbaric, reprehensible crimes" and called on the international community to pressure Israel into halting its strikes.[52]

 Turkey – Foreign Ministry of Turkey condemned the Israeli strikes with a written statement. "We strongly condemn this Israeli attack and immediately demand that it be stopped," the statement said, adding that no country, Israel included, is above international law.[53]

 UK – Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "Hamas bears principal responsibility for the current crisis. I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups." He also called on all those involved "to avoid any action which risks civilian casualties or escalates the crisis."[54]

 USA – The U.S. Department of State issued a press release stating, "We strongly condemn the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel, and we regret the death and injury of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians caused by the ensuing violence." The statement offered support for Israel's right to self-defense and urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties in its military operations.[55]

Non-governmental organizations

  • Amnesty International said that both sides should stop the violence, and Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, said "The Israeli military must not carry out further indiscriminate attacks, or attacks in densely-populated residential areas that will inevitably harm civilians." and " “Palestinian armed groups in Gaza meanwhile must not fire indiscriminate rockets into Israel. The international community must put pressure on both sides to fully respect the laws of war and protect civilian lives and property” [56]
  • Physicians for Human Rights-Israel issued a call to Israeli decision-makers to "refrain from an attack on Gaza that may cause many victims in Gaza and Israel".[57]
  • The Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem warned both sides about causing civilian deaths and stated: "Protection of civilians stands at the heart of international humanitarian law. They must never be targeted; all measures must be taken to protect them. B'Tselem demands that the Israeli government respect these principles at all times and under all circumstances."[58]

References

  1. ^ "3 killed by rocket fire on Kiryat Malachi". YNet News. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Trois israéliens tués par une roquette tirée depuis Gaza". Le Monde. 15 November2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Chief of Staff Declares "Operation Pillar of Cloud"". Arutz Sheva. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Israeli air strike kills top Hamas commander Jabari". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  5. ^ Kalman, Matthew (15 November 2012). "Massed Israeli troops poised for invasion of Gaza". The Independent. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  6. ^ Gaza rocket hits area south of Tel Aviv for first time, Jerusalem Post 15-11-2012
  7. ^ Carter, Jimmy (8 January 2009). "An Unnecessary War". Opinions. The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  8. ^ Monthly summary – October 2012, Israel Security Agency
  9. ^ Qassam Rocket Attack: No Injuries, No Damage and No Report, Israel National News 04-11-0212
  10. ^ http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=935464
  11. ^ Gaza Rockets Explode in Eshkol Region, Israel National News 09-11-2012
  12. ^ IDF fires on Palestinian approaching Gaza fence, Jerusalem Post 05-011-2012
  13. ^ Soldiers shoot dead 20-year-old man near Gaza border
  14. ^ Gazans set off explosives in massive tunnel, Jerusalem Post 09-11-2012
  15. ^ a b Martin, Patrick (13 November 2012). "Israel and Gaza step back from the brink". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  16. ^ Medics: Israeli fire kills boy in south Gaza
  17. ^ http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=535378
  18. ^ http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/maureen-clare-murphy/linguists-including-noam-chomsky-condemn-reprehensible-gaza-coverage
  19. ^ "Live Updates: IDF Launches Widespread Attack on Gaza Terror Targets". Israel Defense Forces. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  20. ^ Lappin, Yaacov (12 November 2012). "Gaza groups pound Israel with over 100 rockets". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  21. ^ a b c Barzak, Ibrahim (10 November 2012). "After attack on jeep, Israeli army kills 4 in Gaza". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  22. ^ Akram, Kershner, Fares, Isabel. "Violence Surges on Israeli-Gaza Border". New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Gazan anti-tank missile hits IDF jeep, injuring four, Jerusalem Post 10-11-2012
  24. ^ Four IDF soldiers wounded when Gaza anti-tank missile hits jeep on border, Haaretz 10-11-2012
  25. ^ "Rockets hit homes in south as fire continues for second day". Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  26. ^ "Schools closed after rockets hit Israel". Israel Today. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  27. ^ Segal, Udi (15/11/12 00:08). "Under the surface: The Israeli deception that preceeded the operation in the Gaza Strip" (in Hebrew). Israel. Channel 2 News. Retrieved November 15, 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Hasson, Nir. "Israeli peace activist: Hamas leader Jabari killed amid talks on long-term truce". Haaretz. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  29. ^ Henderson, Barney (14 November 2012). "Hamas military chief killed in Gaza air strike". The Daily Teleraph.
  30. ^ "Israeli air strike on Hamas military chief – video released by IDF". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  31. ^ Harel, Amos; Issacharoff, Avi; Cohen, Gili (14 November 2012). "Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari killed by Israeli strike". Haaretz. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  32. ^ a b Lappin, Yaakov (14 November 2012). "Israeli air strike kills Hamas military chief". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  33. ^ "Gaza rocket fire persists; gov't okays IDF reserves call-up". Ynetnews. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Three Israeli civilians killed in southern Israel by rocket fired from Gaza". European Jewish Press. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  35. ^ "Iron Dome intercepts 13 Gaza rockets; 6 land near Beersheba". The Jerusalem Post. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  36. ^ Ben Zion, Ilan (14 November 2012). "Wider offensive and possible ground operation on the table, as cabinet okays reserves call-up". Times of Israel. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  37. ^ "Three Israelis killed by Gaza rocket as violence escalates". BBC. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  38. ^ "Hamas military chief killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza", FRANCE 24
  39. ^ a b Ravid, Barak (14 November 2012). "Jerusalem preparing for 'significant expansion' of Gaza operation, says government official". Haaretz. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  40. ^ "Politicians voice support for Jabari assassination". The Jerusalem Post. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  41. ^ "Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari killed by Israeli air strike, Israel launches Gaza op", Voice of Russia
  42. ^ "Canada Condemns Hamas and Stands with Israel" (Press release). Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  43. ^ Harriet, Sherwood. "Egyptian president condemns Israel's 'aggression' in Gaza". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  44. ^ "Egypt condemns Israeli air strikes in Gaza and demands ceasefire"
  45. ^ Kais, Roi (14 November 2012). "Egypt recalls ambassador after Jabari hit". Ynetnews. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  46. ^ "Egyptian hospitals prepare for Gaza victims". Ma'an. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  47. ^ a b c d Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Russia chorus condemnation of Israel’s resort to force, US leads Western supporters, Times of Israel 15-11-2012
  48. ^ "Iran Condemns Israel's Fresh Strikes on Gaza". Fars News Agency. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  49. ^ "Espen Barth Eide: - Vi ser med stor bekymring på eskaleringen av volden".
  50. ^ "Qatar wants Israel punished for Gaza attacks", Reuters
  51. ^ al-Sharif, Asma (14 November 2012). "Russia calls for end to attacks, violence in Gaza". Reuters. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  52. ^ Sabbagh, H. (14 November 2012). "Syrian Government Denounces Barbaric Israeli Crimes against Palestinian People in Gaza". Syrian Arab News Agency. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  53. ^ "Turkey condemns Israeli attack on Gaza, demands halt". Today's Zaman. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  54. ^ "Foreign Secretary statement on Gaza and southern Israel". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  55. ^ "Gaza Rocket Attacks" (Press release). U.S. Department of State. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  56. ^ Israel/Gaza: All sides must step back from the brink to protect civilians
  57. ^ ""Physicians for Human Rights – Israel" call decision makers to refrain from an attack on Gaza that may cause many victims in Gaza and Israel - INC. UPDATES". Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. 15 November 2012.
  58. ^ "Learning the Lessons of the Past to protect Gaza civilians". B'Tselem. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
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