The Times of Israel liveblogged events as they unfolded through Saturday, August 9, the 33rd day of Operation Protective Edge. The IDF continued its air campaign in the Gaza Strip as terrorists fired dozens of rockets at Israeli communities. The US had said Friday it hoped for a renewed truce in the ‘coming hours’ after Hamas ended a 72-hour ceasefire Friday morning and fired some 60 rockets into Israel in the course of the day. Israel began hitting back more than two hours after the rockets resumed Friday, and the Israeli delegation left the ceasefire talks in Cairo, with Israel saying it would not negotiate under fire. (Sunday’s liveblog is here.)

You can also follow @TOIAlerts on Twitter — we’re live-tweeting all the updates there as well.

Day 33 of Operation Protective Edge

PREAMBLE: Hamas ended a 72-hour truce on Friday morning and resumed rocket fire into Israel. By the end of the day, 57 rockets had been fired into Israel’s south.

Israel waited more than two hours, but then restarted air strikes on Hamas targets in the Strip.

Israel’s delegation left the Cairo ceasefire talks; the Palestinian delegation was reported to have unified around Hamas’s demands for the lifting of Israel’s security blockade, the opening of a seaport and other conditions. Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said late Friday that Israel would not reward Hamas in any way for using force against Israel.

Livni submits diplomatic plan to end Gaza conflict

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua) said late Friday she had presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a diplomatic proposal to end the fighting in Gaza while restarting peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.

Her plan would include a ceasefire; the immediate transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza; “steps” that would answer Israel’s security demands while also addressing Gazans’ economic needs; the recognition of the rule of the Palestinian Authority over Gaza with one set of armed forces; the establishment of a Palestinian Authority system that would ensure that funds and aid would reach civilians and not terror leaders; the opening of the crossings with Gaza and the simultaneous establishment of a system that would bar the transfer of raw materials, such as concrete, for the purposes of terror; and the renewal of peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.

Tzipi Livni speaks at a meeting of her Hatnua party in the Knesset, on Monday, May 19, 2014. (photo credit: Flash90)

Tzipi Livni speaks at a meeting of her Hatnua party in the Knesset, on Monday, May 19, 2014. (photo credit: Flash90)

Livni told Channel 2 she will submit the proposal to the security cabinet for approval.

“The steps we are seeking don’t require Hamas’s approval. If Hamas had wanted to have the blockade lifted since 2006, it would have stopped the violence, recognized the existing agreements [signed between Israel and the Palestinians] and recognized Israel as a Jewish state. It would have then become [a] legitimate [power].”

“Hamas does not really want to have the blockade lifted. It wants legitimacy as a terror organization that rules Gaza. And Israel will not agree to that,” she said.

Livni said Israel must continue operating militarily as long as Hamas fires on Israeli cities and doesn’t rule out sending ground forces back into the Gaza Strip.

“A peace agreement would not be with Hamas, but against it. Which is why what I propose presents a new [world] order, with Egypt, with Israel, with the Palestinian Authority and with other regional countries,” she said.

“We want to reach an agreement not with those who fire on us, but with those who don’t use violence and terror,” she added.

The former chief negotiator with the Palestinian Authority said she is against negotiating with Hamas and does not think Israel should meet their grandiose demands for a seaport, an airport and a crossing between Gaza and the West Bank. These are things that a part of a permanent agreement, she says, and they should not be rewarded with them because they used force.

“Most cabinet members understand that if Hamas is the problem — and it is — then [Palestinian Authority President] Mahmoud Abbas and those who do not use terror against us, are part the solution,” she said.

“Instead of preoccupying ourselves in this bazaar of what to give Hamas so the quiet returns, let’s look for another opportunity, let’s think outside the box,” she said.

Israeli envoy to UN calls on Ban Ki-Moon, Security Council to condemn Hamas

WASHINGTON — Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor called Friday on the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the UN Security Council to condemn Hamas in light of its violation of yet another ceasefire and designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.

“It is time for the United Nations and its agencies to finally place the blame where it belongs – on Hamas,” Prosor writes in a letter that he delivered to Security Council officials and to the UN Secretary General earlier. “To be clear, Hamas started this conflict, Hamas is responsible for the humanitarian tragedy, and Hamas must be held accountable.”

Prosor calls on both Ban and the Security Council to “immediately and unequivocally” condemn Hamas “in the strongest possible terms for violating the ceasefire”; support Israel’s right to defend its citizens; demand the demilitarization of Gaza and designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Prosor reminded the UN officials that “Israel agreed to every cease-fire proposal in an effort to restore the calm and allow civilians on both sides to return to normal life” and says that Hamas’s violation of the ceasefire proved “once again that it has no regard for the well-being of the Palestinian people.”

— Rebecca Shimoni Stoil

Jaffa shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

A 23-year-old man was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting in Jaffa, Ynet reports. Magen David Adom paramedics provided medical treatment, and police units arrived at the scene to investigate a possible murder.

According to Haaretz, police suspect the murder was criminally motivated.

White House: Not ‘appropriate’ of Hamas to renew rocket fire

WASHINGTON — White House Spokesman Josh Earnest sounded a cautious note Friday, saying that the White House “did not believe it was appropriate for Hamas to restore rocket fire” in a tempered response to the reescalation of violence between Israel and Gaza.

Earnest calls on “all sides” to cease violence, but also notes that while Israel had agreed to extend negotiations in Cairo, it was Hamas that had refused to extend the ceasefire without Israel meeting a series of conditions. Earnest emphasizes that “Hamas’s decision to restore rocket fire” did not just harm both Israeli and Palestinians alike, but is against the interests of the Palestinian Authority.

“It is our hope that both parties will agree to a continued ceasefire,” Earnest says, adding that the American delegation in Cairo was still involved in trying to renew negotiations toward a ceasefire.

— Rebecca Shimoni Stoil

Teen killed in West Bank protests

Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager Friday amid widespread protests across the West Bank against the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical officials said.

They said that Mohammed Qatri, 19, was one of a group who clashed with soldiers near Psagot, between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The army said it is looking into the report.

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli border guards (background) following a demonstration in support of Gaza after Friday prayers in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on August 8, 2014. (photo credit: Musa Al Shaer/AFP)

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli border guards (background) following a demonstration in support of Gaza after Friday prayers in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on August 8, 2014. (photo credit: Musa Al Shaer/AFP)

— AFP

IDF says it struck 51 terror targets in Gaza

The IDF said it struck 51 terror targets in the Gaza Strip between 8 a.m., when a 72-hour truce between Israel and Gaza expired, and 8 p.m. Friday.

The military said that in that time, terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired 57 rockets at Israel.

“In response, we struck 51 terror sites and targeted 3 terrorists in Gaza,” the IDF said.

Hamas decision to renew rocket fire puts Gazans at risk — State Department

WASHINGTON – The State Department condemns the renewal of Hamas rocket fire against Israel Friday afternoon while reasserting Israel’s right to defend itself against rocket attacks. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at the daily briefing that “we need to be very clear about what happened here,” explaining that “Israel was in a position in which it appeared ready to extend the cease fire” and Hamas chose to resume launching rockets.

Harf also criticized Hamas for making what she termed “maximalist demands” during the Cairo talks that tried to secure a continuation of the three-day-long ceasefire.

During the daily press briefing, Harf said that she was not familiar with reports that the Egyptians had placed the Hamas delegation under house arrest, but reiterated that the State Department holds Hamas responsible for the renewal of violence.

“What Hamas did today in its decision to resume rocket fire puts the citizens of Gaza under greater risk,” Harf warned.

Responding to questions regarding the US’s unusually understated role during the Cairo talks, Harf said that the US delegation has been “monitoring progress”. As she did Thursday, Harf attributed the limited American role to the fact that US officials will not negotiate with representatives of Hamas, a recognized terror organization.

— Rebecca Shimoni Stoil

US hopes for new Gaza truce in ‘coming hours’

The United States voiced hope late Friday that Israel and Hamas will reach a new truce, shortly after Palestinian terrorists end a 72-hour ceasefire by shooting rockets into Israel.

“Our hope is that the parties will agree to an extension of the ceasefire in the coming hours,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.

— AFP

Starbucks explains it doesn’t fund IDF

Responding to calls to boycott Starbucks for its alleged monetary support for the state of Israel, the American coffee chain releases a press statement in which it clarifies that it doesn’t “support any political or religious cause. Additionally, neither Starbucks nor the company’s chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz provide financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army in any way.”

Moreover, Starbucks’ absence from the Israeli java market has nothing to do with politics, the company says. “We do not make business decisions based on political issues.”

Air force strikes targets around Rafah

Palestinian journalist Mohammed Omer reports Israeli strikes around the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. The Israeli Air Force reportedly struck multiple terror and training sites in the area.

There are no immediate reports of casualties.

13 Hamas rockets hit Gaza on Friday, IDF says

The IDF says that 20 percent of the rockets fired by Hamas on Friday hit the Gaza Strip. It’s not clear what damage the rockets inflicted.

The army also says that since Friday morning, the IDF struck 70 targets in the Gaza Strip.

Government to help pay for southerners’ move away from Gaza

According to a Channel 10 report, the Prime Minister’s Office and Finance Ministry agreed to help residents of towns near the Gaza Strip move elsewhere during the ongoing conflict with Hamas by subsidizing their temporary transfer.

Those who wish to move away from the violence will receive funds to move to safer locales.

Thousands voice support for Hamas in Jordan

An estimated 15,000 Muslim Brotherhood supporters demonstrated in Amman, Jordan in support of Hamas Friday evening, Haaretz reports, calling out “Death to Israel” and encouraging Palestinian armed groups to fire more rockets at Israel.

Israel said to hit Gaza mosque; Palestinian dies of wounds

Palestinians say Israel hit a mosque in the al-Zeytoun neighborhood of Gaza City, in the latest bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, a young Palestinian, who was wounded by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron at a protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, died from his injuries Saturday, a Palestinian medic says.

“Nader Edriss, 22, died Saturday morning from his wounds at Hebron’s Al-Mizan hospital,” the medic tells AFP.

Overnight calm in southern Israel

Overnight things have been relatively calm in southern Israel, with no rocket fire since Friday evening. Israel’s strikes on the Gaza Strip have been limited.

Meanwhile, Hamas posts a series of photos on Twitter showing its homemade weaponry.

‘Bibi’s too strong’ to make peace, Obama says

The New York Times writes that US President Barack Obama says in an interview that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas possess the political will to reach a lasting peace agreement.

“In some ways Bibi’s too strong, in some ways Abbas is too weak to bring them together and make the kind of bold decisions that a Sadat or a Begin or a Rabin were willing to make,” Obama says.

“You can lead folks to water, they’ve got to drink,” he says. “And so far at least, they haven’t been willing.”

Sirens in Shaar Hanegev, Sdot Negev regions

Breaking a silence of nearly ten hours, rockets are fired at Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip.

5 rockets hit Israeli territory

Following the previous report, authorities say five rockets hit Israel in the morning salvo — four in the Eshkol regional council and one in the Sdot Negev area.

No casualties or damage are reported.

Belgian politician sorry for Holocaust comment

Two Belgian Jewish groups say they will complain to police about a local politician who appeared to justify the Holocaust.

The Belgian League Against Anti-Semitism, or LBCA, and the Flemish Forum of Jewish Organizations announced their intention to file a complaint for incitement to hatred against Hassan Aarab of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party, or CD&V.

Hassan Aarab of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party wrote on Facebook earlier this week: “I think the Germans deliberately didn’t kill all the Jews so that we will be able to understand now why [Adolf Hitler] was destroying them.”

Initially, Aarab defended his statement, saying it was “provocative” and intended as an expression of anger of Israel’s actions in Gaza, not as incitement to hate. But he apologized after the leader of the Antwerp chapter of his party, Ariane Van Dooren, condemned him.

“I want to offer my apologies for what I said. I seek cooperation and dialogue between different communities. I realize now my statement does not contribute to this, on the contrary,” he writes.

–JTA

Palestinians say new 72-hour truce possible

Officials in the Palestinian delegation to Cairo say a new 72-hour truce between Hamas and Israel is possible and is desired by Palestinian Authority representatives, but Hamas is showing inflexibility on the issue, Walla News reports, quoting London based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.

Sirens sound in Eshkol; IDF strikes in Gaza

Rocket sirens sound in the Eshkol region as missiles are fired from the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile Palestinians say the IDF has struck several targets in Gaza this morning.

Rocket explodes outside Eshkol community

A rocket has exploded outside a community in the Eshkol region. No casualties are reported,

Palestinian said killed in IDF strike on mosque

The body of a Palestinian man is found in the rubble of a mosque struck by the IDF Friday overnight, Palestinians sources say, adding that there may be more casualties which have not yet been found.

Three rockets hit Eshkol

Three rockets launched from Gaza hit the Eshkol region, causing no damage.

Israeli strike kills senior Hamas official

Gaza health officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed a senior Hamas official.

Hamas says Israel struck houses, mosques, its warehouses and training sites. Three bodies were found under the ruins of the al-Qassam mosque in Gaza, including that of senior Hamas official Moaaz Zaid, says Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Qudra.

The military says it has targeted more than 30 sites in Gaza since Friday.

— AP

Israel strikes motorbike in Gaza, killing two

Two people are killed in an Israeli strike that “targeted a motorbike in the al-Maghazi camp” in central Gaza, officials there say.

The deaths brings Saturday’s reported toll in Gaza to five.

IDF says it struck 30 Gaza targets since midnight

The military says its forces have carried out attacks on around 30 terror targets in the Gaza Strip since midnight.

Five Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the strikes.

Local leaders in south express support for defense minister

Regional council heads in the south express support for Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon after Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said Friday that Ya’alon had “failed utterly” in providing security for residents of the south, Israel Radio reports.

Sdot Negev regional council head Tamir Idan says residents support Ya’alon and renounce any condemnations of his conduct. Sha’ar Hanegev regional council head Alon Schuster says accusations against the minister are uncalled for.

Davidi said Ya’alon had failed in deterring Hamas from firing rockets at Israeli communities and had proved “feeble” in his response to the threat.

Two rockets explode in the Gaza periphery

Two Gaza rockets have hit Israel, one in the Sdot Negev area and one in the Eshkol area.

No casualties are reported.

Hamas ‘not interested’ in escalation

Hamas says it does not want an escalation in Gaza, but is ready to fight if Israel “insists” upon it.

“Our position is clear. We are giving negotiations a chance and are not interested in escalation,” spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri says.

But, he adds, “if the occupation insists on continuing the conflict we are prepared for it. We cannot go back to the starting point and accept the continued blockade on the Gaza Strip and its residents.”

Police ban Tel Aviv pro-peace rally due to rocket-fire

Police have banned a planned pro-peace demonstration in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv this evening, citing security concerns which do not allow for gatherings of over 1,000 people as the city remains nder rocket threat from the Gaza Strip.

The protest organizers called for dialog “in face of a painful month of war and victims…the next cycle of violence can be avoided. There is another way: Immediate talks with the Palestinians about a fair and sustaining peace, rehabilitation of Gaza and an ending of the blockade, a firm joint stand of Arabs and Jews in the face of racism, and a struggle for a future of living.”

IDF footage shows strike on rockets near mosque

The IDF releases footage of an air strike on a rocket launcher placed near a mosque in Gaza.

The military notes that as the weaponry was placed outside the building, it took care not to damage the mosque in the strike.

Israel has destroyed mosques in other strikes, but says it only does so when they are used to conceal and store weaponry.

Hamas says seaport will free it from dependence on Israel, Egypt

Hamas MP and spokesman Mushir al-Masri says the Gaza Strip no longer wishes to be dependent upon Israeli or Egyptian border crossings, and for this reason has demanded the right to construct a seaport to enable the passage of people and goods, Israel Radio reports.

Speaking on Hamas-affiliated al-Quds TV, al-Masri calls on the Palestinian delegation to Egypt not to give in before all of its demands are met.

Egyptian court orders dissolution of Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing

An Egyptian court orders the dissolution of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the political wing of the already banned Muslim Brotherhood movement.

The move comes after the authorities designated the Brotherhood a “terrorist organisation” in December following the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in July by the military.

–AFP

Canada says Hamas’s actions in Gaza ‘unacceptable’

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issues a scathing condemnation of Hamas’s “unacceptable” actions in Gaza, calling the terror group’s rocket-fire “abhorrent.”

“It is inexcusable and completely unacceptable that Hamas has yet again chosen death, destruction and terror over peace, negotiations and a cessation of violence,” Baird says in a statement.

“Canada upholds Israel’s right and duty to defend itself and its citizens from such abhorrent, indiscriminate attacks,” he says. “Peace-loving nations around the world must denounce this latest provocation of violence by Hamas and stand by Israel, the only liberal democratic nation in the Middle East.

Gaza rocket falls inside the Palestinian territory

A rocket launched at Israel from Gaza fell inside the Strip a short time ago. There is no word of casualties.

Hamas vows ‘no concessions’ to Israel

Hamas vows there will be no concessions to Israel, defying international attempts to broker a new truce after fighting resumed.

“There will be no going back, the resistance will continue,” Hamas spokesman Fawzy Barhum says in a statement. “The occupier’s intransigence will get it nowhere and we will make no concessions on the demands of our people.”

AFP

Israel, Palestinians agree to undeclared truce — report

Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip will halt rocket fire and airstrikes this evening as part of an undeclared truce, Palestinian sources tell local paper Al-Quds. The report comes as Israeli delegates return to Cairo for discussions to bring about a ceasefire to end the current conflict.

The Palestinian sources say that Hamas and Islamic Jihad informed Egypt that they’re committed to a truce in order to continue the discussions about the Palestinian demands — “which remain the only discussion after the Egyptian proposal was canceled.”

Rockets hit Eshkol, Ashkelon regions; no injuries reported

Moments ago, rockets hit southern Israel after being launched from the Gaza Strip. One explodes in an open area outside the city of Ashkelon, while the other reportedly explodes inside a community in the Eshkol region, bordering the Gaza Strip.

According to Ynet, there are no immediate reports of injuries. There is no immediate indication of the extent of the damage.

Israel UN envoy says lack of Hamas condemnation ‘a tragedy’

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, writes on the international body’s Facebook page in response to remarks by the secretary-general, who expressed his “deep disappointment that the parties were unable to agree to an extension of the ceasefire in their talks in Cairo.”

Prosor says that “I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t mention one of the parties, which happens to be the party that violated the ceasefire. This party has a name — they are called Hamas. Hamas is our enemy. Let me introduce you to them. Many countries around the world designate Hamas as a terror organization. Hamas’ charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Hamas has fired over 3,000 rockets at Israel over the past month. They kidnap and kill children. They dig terror tunnels in order to carry out mass terrorist attacks. They breached all the ceasefires that Israel accepted.”

“If I wasn`t familiar with the UN, I would think this is a parody,” Prosor writes. “But because I am familiar with the UN, I know this is a tragedy.”

Ron Prosor, permanent representative of Israel to the UN, addresses the Security Council. (photo credit: United Nations)

Ron Prosor, permanent representative of Israel to the UN, addresses the Security Council. (photo credit: United Nations)

Eshkol regional leader: ‘We won’t be quiet until rocket threat neutralized’

Eshkol regional chairman Haim Yellin says that residents of the southern towns near the Gaza Strip “won’t be quiet until the end of the campaign which includes the neutralization of the rocket threat on our communities.”

“The prime minister and defense minister promised that they wouldn’t accept fire on the state of Israel — that’s not just a political guarantee, that’s a basic promise of the government to its residents and it must make it happen with full force,” Ynet quotes the southern leader saying.

Since this morning, 10 rockets fired from Gaza have struck the Eshkol region.

US publishes footage of strikes on Islamic State

As the US steps up airstrikes against Islamic State fighters, Central Command releases the footage of a series of hits in northern Iraq by F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.

Sirens in Eshkol region

Two rockets explode in open areas, causing no injuries or damage.

Conflicting reports on ceasefire talks in Cairo

Conflicting reports in the Israeli media quote Egyptian and Hamas officials saying that Israeli envoys are expected in Cairo for another round of ceasefire talks this evening. A senior Israeli official says that Jerusalem has no intention to renew ceasefire talks in Cairo on Saturday night, so long as rockets are being fired into Israeli territory.

At least 24 rockets have hit Israel since midnight, and the IDF has struck 100 targets in the Gaza Strip.

Egyptian media says Israel is also negotiating for the return of the bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, in return for freeing Hamas captives from the past few weeks. There is no confirmation of these reports.

Israel said negotiating for release of soldiers’ remains

Egyptian media says Israel is negotiating for the return of the bodies of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, who were pronounced killed-in-action but whose remains are in Gaza.

According to Hamas parliament member Mushir al-Masry, Hamas is interested in the deal, which would involve the release of Palestinian and Jordanian security detainees, Israel Radio reports.

The Turkish news agency reported that Israel would release 25 prisoners and the bodies of 18 terrorists in exchange for the two soldiers’ remains, and the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen news agency reported Friday that the Palestinians offered them for 15 prisoners and eight Palestinian bodies.

There is no confirmation of these reports.

Sirens in Gaza periphery

Lapid says Israel should hunt down Hamas leaders like US killed Bin Laden

Finance Minister Yair Lapid says that Israel needs to hunt down and assassinate Mohammed Deif and his comrades in the Hamas leadership in the same way that the US killed Osama Bin Laden.

“The state of Israel will do everything, whether it’s diplomatic or military, in order to ensure the quiet,” he says.

Egyptian ceasefire proposal includes PA control of Philadelphi Route — report

The head of Egypt’s military intelligence is working to solidify a ceasefire deal with Palestinian factions, Ynet reports, and according to the proposal the Philadelphi Route, which runs near the border between Egypt and Gaza, will be handed over to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s men.

Under the proposed arrangement, Egypt would control its side of the border and monitor for tunnels, while the PA’s security forces would control the opposite side, and under these conditions Cairo would agree to open the Rafah border crossing.

According to the Ynet report, the proposal is likely to be accepted by Abbas’s people.

Israel prepared for war of attrition with Hamas

Channel 10’s Alon Ben David says that Israel is prepared for a prolonged war of attrition against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli leadership is not interested in restarting a ground offensive in Gaza, but it’s also not willing to negotiate with the Palestinian factions until rocket fire into Israel ceases, he says.

Hamas says it expects Israel to attend talks in Cairo on Sunday

Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk says that Palestinian delegates in Egypt haven’t been formally notified about the date of renewed ceasefire talks with Israel, but that he expects “that the talks will begin tomorrow with the attendance of the Israeli delegation.”

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu-Zuhri tells Palestinian media that the Palestinian representatives have yet to receive a response from Israel to the factions’ demands.

“For the time being there’s no news, and as far as we’re concerned the fighting continues,” he says. “We will determine when to intensify and when to scale back, and that will be done in accordance with the will of the Palestinian people.”

IDF publishes video of Gaza airstrike that killed two

The IDF releases a video of an Israeli airstrike which assassinated two terrorists on a motorcycle in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday morning.

‘All options on the table’ to stop rocket fire, senior minister says

Communications Minister Gilad Erdan, a member of the security cabinet, speaks to Channel 2 and reassures residents of southern Israel that the operation to halt rocket fire hasn’t ended, and that the situation will not go back to how it was before Operation Protective Edge began last month.

He says that “all options are on the table” to halt the rocket fire — including putting boots back on the ground in the Hamas-controlled territory and reoccupying the Gaza Strip.

“This isn’t a drizzle,” he says, referring to the euphemism for sporadic rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. “It’s multiple attempted murders each day.”

2 dead in Israeli airstrike in Rafah

Hamas Health Ministry officials say at least two were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

Hundreds turn out for anti-war protest in Tel Aviv

An anti-war demonstration is taking place central Tel Aviv’s Rabin square this evening, despite Home Front Command restrictions on the gathering of more than 1,000 people because of possible rocket fire. According to police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld, officers are on the scene “to secure the gathering & prevent any incidents.”

Hundreds turn out for the protest, activist Elizabeth Tsurkov tweets, and hold up banners saying “Stop the massacre, end the siege” and “War is avoidable, peace is inevitable.”

Right-wing activists reportedly shout invectives at the demonstrators, telling them to go to Gaza.

Israel strikes dozens of targets in Gaza on Saturday

Israel has struck at least 49 targets in the Gaza Strip since midnight, and over 100 since the collapse of the ceasefire on Friday. At least seven Palestinians were killed.

Meanwhile, 1,500 Israeli Arabs are demonstrating in Baqa al-Gharbiya against the war in Gaza, chanting “Gaza is victorious.”

Dozens block Jerusalem tracks after end of mourning for slain teen

The police report that dozens of Palestinians blocked the light rail tracks after marking the end of the 40 days of mourning since the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir. They threw stones at police officers before being dispersed. No injuries or damage are reported.

Sirens in Gaza periphery

Rocket hits Sha’ar Hanegev region

A rocket fired from Gaza explodes in an open area in the Sha’ar Hanegev region of southern Israel. No injuries or damage are reported.

30 rockets fired at Israel on Saturday, IDF says

The IDF says that Hamas launched 30 rockets at Israel on Saturday, 24 of which struck Israeli territory and five of which exploded in the Gaza Strip.

What happened to the unaccounted-for rocket remains unclear.

Palestinian reported killed in Israeli airstrike

Palestinians report that an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah killed one, bringing the number of Gazans killed Saturday in Israeli airstrikes to eight.

Obama, Cameron call for immediate truce in Gaza

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron condemn the renewed rocket fire at Israel and call for an immediate truce which will lead to a longer-term ceasefire.

Speaking over the phone, the two world leaders emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense and the necessity for the two sides to prevent harm to innocents.

3 Hamas members dead in Gaza airstrike

Ynet reports that three Hamas fighters died in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF says it targeted four Hamas terrorists in the same area and a direct hit was confirmed. It’s not clear whether the two incidents are the same.

IDF posts video of airstrike on Hamas

The Israeli army shares a video on YouTube of a strike on Hamas rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip over the weekend.

read more: