The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) punched back hard on Monday night and into Tuesday morning in response to Palestinian terrorists firing hundreds of rockets inside Israel.
“According to the Israel Defense Forces, over 200 rockets and mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, dozens of which were intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries,” The Times Of Israel reported. “The military said the Iron Dome had a successful interception rate of over 90 percent of projectiles heading toward populated areas.”
However, the Iron Dome did not intercept all rockets as several hit civilian targets in Israel, injuring dozens, with some early estimates putting the number as high as 31. IDF Spokesperson Hidai Zilberman said that about a third of the rockets fired from inside Gaza ended up landing inside Gaza.
The IDF released the following statement about their military operations against the terrorists:
Overnight, in response to continuous rocket fire from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory, the IDF struck over 130 terror targets belonging to terror organizations in the Gaza Strip. In the first and second stages of the strikes, IDF fighter jets, attack helicopters and aircraft struck weapons manufacturing sites belonging to the Hamas terror organization. In the third stage, targets belonging to the Hamas terror organization and the Islamic Jihad were struck, including: weapons manufacturing sites and military facilities belonging to the Hamas terror organization and the Islamic Jihad. A Hamas battalion commander was also targeted.
In addition, as part of the strikes over the past day, the IDF struck a military intelligence building belonging to the Hamas terror organization, along with approximately 15 operatives of the organization. Likewise, IDF tanks and aircraft struck additional terror targets, among them: two offensive terror tunnels adjacent to the security fence. The Hamas terror organization deliberately places military targets in the heart of densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip. The IDF takes precautions to avoid harming civilians as much as possible during its operational activities.
Here is video of some of the IDF’s strikes against terrorist targets:
Raw Aerial Footage:
This is the moment that the IDF & Israel Security Agency carried out a targeted strike against Islamic Jihad commander, Samah Abed al-Mamluk & other senior members of his unit.
They were among those responsible for hundreds of rockets fired at Israelis. pic.twitter.com/3DLj2UVdCm
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 11, 2021
OPERATIONAL FOOTAGE: This is the moment we struck 3 Hamas terrorists operating an anti-tank missile in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/iRqomrGwVI
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 11, 2021
IDF publishes airstrikes against militant sites in the #Gaza Strip. #Israel pic.twitter.com/Sq7qRok5L1
— Joe Truzman (@Jtruzmah) May 11, 2021
Israeli airstrike near Khan Yunis a short time ago. #Gaza #Israel @N12News pic.twitter.com/LvzxV5yrPN
— Joe Truzman (@Jtruzmah) May 11, 2021
The Hateen military site that was struck multiple times by IDF warplanes a short while ago. #Gaza #Israel pic.twitter.com/U4brhJJxo1
— Joe Truzman (@Jtruzmah) May 11, 2021
Local governments within 25 miles of the Gaza Strip were ordered to close schools and ban large public gatherings and numerous cities opened public bomb shelters.
“The Hamas terror organization is responsible for all events transpiring in the Gaza Strip and emanating from it, and will bear the consequences for terror activity against Israeli civilians,” the IDF added. “At this time, approximately 200 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory, dozens of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System.”
“The terrorist organizations in Gaza crossed a red line and attacked us with missiles at the entrances to Jerusalem. Israel will respond with great force,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned. “We did not want to escalate, but those who chose to escalate will be hit forcefully.”