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IAF aircraft struck a terror tunnel and a weapons storage site in northern Gaza, as well as a rocket launching site in southern Gaza on Sunday night.

According to a statement by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, direct hits at the targets were identified. All Israeli aircraft safely returned to their bases.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers and will continue to operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel,” said the IDF statement, noting that Gaza’s Hamas terrorist rulers are responsible for the ongoing terror attacks on southern Israel.

The airstrikes came in retaliation for the continuing rocket fire on southern Israel. More than 100 rockets were fired at Israel by Gaza terrorists on Saturday and Sunday. A direct strike on a home in Sderot was reported after 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening.  Thankfully, no one was physically injured despite the direct hit.

Many of the rockets fired Sunday were timed for the end of the school day, in order to try and kill or maim children.

While schools in Gan Yavne and the Gaza belt were closed on Sunday, local authorities decided on Sunday night that all educational institutions will reopen on Monday.

According to revised guidelines of the Home Front Command, Gaza belt residents are asked to remain within 15 seconds protected spaces. In addition, it is forbidden to hold gatherings of 500 or more people in the region.

Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon (Likud) said Sunday that Israel does not intend to maintain restraint in the face of the intense rocket attacks from Gaza.

"If the terror organizations do not cease their fire we will be prepared to toughen our response as much as necessary, until they say 'enough!'," he said.

"There is a complicated war here, and in the end we will finish it," he said. "This is not a one-off move. But we will put an end to it. We do not intend to maintain restraint because the situation is unbearable for us."

Meanwhile, reports on Sunday night indicated that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is set to meet on Monday with foreign ambassadors serving in Israel.

During the meeting Netanyahu will present to the ambassadors Israel’s position regarding Gaza, possibly setting the stage for a ground attack on the region, which will likely lead to condemnation of Israel by world countries.

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Labels: Conflict, Gaza, Hamas, Islamism, Israel

posted by Pieface @ Monday, November 12, 2012