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Israeli killed after Hamas rejects ceasefire
Israel suffered its first fatality as a direct result of Hamas fire since launching Operation Protective Edge last week. Earlier in the day Israel approved an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire which was ignored and rejected by Hamas, prompting the continuation of violence.
The Egyptian proposal called for an end to Israeli air strikes, while Hamas would put an end to all types of attacks on Israel, including by rockets, sea and underground tunnels. Increasingly open borders and flow of goods between Israel and Gaza was another topic slated for discussion within 48 hours. Israel’s Security Cabinet voted in favour of the truce early yesterday morning and immediately implemented a unilateral ceasefire from 9am. However, during the next six hours around 50 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel as the military wing of Hamas denounced the proposed ceasefire as “surrender” and vowed to continue fighting.
A total of 141 rockets continued to strike Israel throughout yesterday. Many were fired at southern communities and five rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system over Ashkelon. A further two were intercepted over Tel Aviv while sirens were also heard in the Jerusalem area. During the evening, 37-year-old Dror Kheinin was killed by a mortar while distributing food to Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border. A 44-year-old man was also wounded in the attack.
Due to the continued rocket fire, Israel resumed air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip at 3pm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that given the Hamas rejection, Israel has “all the international legitimacy to broaden its military activity in order to achieve the necessary quiet.” Late last night, the IDF sent messages advising northern Gaza residents to leave their homes for their own safety, a possible indicator that Israel could widen its military campaign. Overnight, Israel hit 25 targets, including the homes of senior Hamas leaders such as Mahmud al-Zahar. Palestinian reports say that 10 people were killed in the overnight air strikes.