IDF Launches Operation Breaking Dawn

August 7, 2022

by: Janet Aslin

Sunday, 7 August 2022 | Two days ago the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Breaking Dawn, a military operation in Gaza specifically targeting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Several days before the operation began, roads near the Gaza border were closed and residents of many nearby Israeli communities were essentially under lockdown due to threats of imminent rocket and mortar attack.

Friday’s operation began after a week of increasing tension and belligerence on the part of the PIJ. Egypt had been attempting to mediate with the PIJ which was incensed over Israel’s arrest of Bassam Saadi in Jenin on Monday. Saadi, who has a history of multiple arrests for terror activities, was attempting to build up the PIJ’s strength in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) when he was arrested by Israeli security forces.

Saadi’s arrest came as part of Operation Breaking the Wave, named in reference to stopping the wave of terror that left 18 Israelis dead during the first months of 2022. Jenin has been a hotbed of terror activity and incitement and many of the arrests, including Saadi’s, have taken place there.

The IDF’s initial wave of air strikes hit six PIJ sites and killed the group’s senior commander, Tayseer Jabari. According to the Times of Israel, IDF spokesman Ron Kochav said, “Jabari was responsible for the concrete threat in the last three-four days to fire anti-tank missiles and mow down Israeli civilians or soldiers in the Gaza border area.”

Since the operation began on Friday, 580 rockets have been launched by the PIJ in the Gaza Strip toward Israel. Sirens have been heard in communities throughout Israel’s southern and coastal regions. Rocket fire has been incessant since early this morning and sirens also sounded in communities on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The Iron Dome has achieved a 97% success rate.

Israel is prepared for the long-haul in order to achieve its goal of breaking the current wave of terror. Defense Minister Gantz has approved the call-up of as many as 25,000 reservists. The Times of Israel quoted the defense minister as saying the IDF was preparing for “any action that will be required, on all fronts from the south, the center and the north. We will continue operational activity in all sectors, as long as required. We are not striving for a fight, but we will not hesitate if we have to.”

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the latest escalation of fighting. The meeting was requested by the United Arab Emirates with the support of China, France, Ireland and Norway.

For its part, Israel seems resolved to do whatever is necessary to stop the terror activities of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad who have essentially been holding residents of Israel’s southern communities hostage.

Editor’s Note: Bridges for Peace stands with the people and nation of Israel against the terror activities of organizations like Palestinian Islamic Jihad. If you would like to help us meet practical needs of Israelis affected by the violence, please consider a donation to our Crisis Assistance Fund.     

Donate

Posted on August 7, 2022

Photo Credit: Israel Defense Forces/flickr.com

Photo License: Flickr