Today, palestinian terrorists launched over more than 100 rockets and mortar shells at Israeli civilians. No, not at empty fields in an attempt to scare us, but at populated areas in order to kill.
Including a children’s playground
And a synagogue
Three Israelis were wounded – a 52-year-old man with a chest injury due to shrapnel, and two girls, aged 14 and 15, with limb injuries. Thankfully, no-one was killed, but as you can see from where the rockets and mortar hit, not through Hamas’ want of trying.
Israel responded to the rocket and mortar fire by striking more than 40 terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including 2 terror tunnels, 2 large logistic centers, and a Hamas Battalion HQ in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. But in contrast to the Hamas rockets, these were targeted at terror infrastructure, with attempts to avoid or limit civilian casualties.
Before the strikes began, the IDF Arabic Spokesperson, Maj. Avichay Adraee sent out warnings to the civilians in the Gaza Strip in Arabic, warning them to stay away from areas where they know that terror activity is taking place. So far, there are no known casualties on the Gazan side.
It turns out there were casualties on the Gazan side – at least according to the Palestinian Health Ministry who reported that two teenagers were killed in an IDF strike, and 14 wounded.
This next video from Gaza may provide some insight as to why (hat tip: Uri).
https://www.facebook.com/ShehabAgency.MainPage/videos/2804064499635952/
This seems to be after one of the initial strikes on a high-rise building in a civilian area, which served as a training facility for Hamas. Note how instead of running for cover, the civilians stand around and start filming. I assume they actually want more IDF strikes on the building or the area so they can get great propaganda footage (or at least footage to sell to the media). It may even be that they knew the building was going to be struck because it was a known Hamas training facility.
So when you wonder why there are casualties on the palestinian side, remember this footage – as well as the fact Hamas has not provided bomb shelters for civilians, instead using money for things like rocket-building and terror tunnels.
And when you hear there are not many casualties on the Israeli side, remember this is because we do have bomb shelters to which our civilians do run for their lives – and despite the murderous intent of the palestinian terrorists.
