LIVE Updates from Israel
Tuesday, August 5
1:30 p.m. EST
Statements from Hamas and Islamic Jihad regarding the ceasefire talks:
"Disarming Palestinian resistance will not be negotiated during indirect [cease-fire] talks in Cairo," Islamic Jihad official states.
Islamic Jihad also claims 'victory': "Despite the pain, [the] resistance has made great achievement." - Deputy head Ziad al Nakhaleh.
"Military victory will lead to lifting of siege on Gaza Strip." - Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during victory speech.
12:00 p.m. EST
IDF Report: The IDF says it attacked 4,762 targets in Gaza during war. 1,678 were rocket launchers and storage facilities; 997 targets were command and control centers, 191 were rocket production facilities.
9:30 a.m. EST
The 72-hour cease-fire which began Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. appeared to be holding Tuesday afternoon prompting Israel to send a negotiating team to Cairo for indirect talks with Palestinian factions aimed at reaching a long-term truce.
Israel had previously said that it would wait to see if Hamas honored the cease-fire before dispatching a delegation to take part in the talks that it had thus far avoided.
9:00 a.m. EST
Southern Command Maj.-Gen. speaks near Gaza border: "If Hamas violates truce it will be making a serious mistake. Residents of the area can return to their homes" adding, "the IDF has created an improved security environment."
1:00 a.m. EST
72-hour ceasefire begins.
All IDF troops have pulled out of Gaza and are now holding a defensive line at the border.
Hamas fired a heavy rocket barrage at southern and central Israel minutes and even seconds before the start of the ceasefire. Sirens sounded in an Israeli city east of Jerusalem and a rocket hit a house in the mostly Christian Arab village of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem.
Ben Gurion Airport stopped all arriving and departing flights between 7:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning in advance of a 72-hour ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began at 8:00 a.m. This was in the event that Hamas fired heavy rocket barrages just before the ceasefire, which it did.
12:30 a.m. EST
IDF Report: All Israeli ground forces to leave Gaza ahead of truce.
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Monday, August 4
7:00 p.m. EST
The United States commended the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire set to begin Tuesday at 8 a.m.
"Now it's up to Hamas to prove they can stand by their commitments," said Obama administration Deputy National Security Advisor Antony Blinken.
6:30 a.m. EST
President Obama signs bill granting an additional $225 million to Israel to fund the Iron Dome anti-missile batteries.
6:00 p.m. EST
The Islamist terrorist group Hamas agreed to Egypt's proposal for a 72-hour truce with Israel beginning Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, "Hamas told Egypt a short while ago of its acceptance of a 72-hour period of calm.
5:00 p.m. EST
Israel has accepted an Egyptian proposed cease-fire that is to go into effect Tuesday morning at 8:00 am. (1 a.m. EST)
Senior diplomatic officials pointed out that from the early stages of the Gaza operation Israel had accepted the Egyptian cease-fire proposal. They also stressed that the cease-fire is unconditional, and pointed out that its acceptance came about after Israel finished destroying the terror tunnels.
Hamas is reportedly also agreeing to the Egyptian proposal.
4:30 p.m. EST
In a meeting with the mayor of Sderot and regional council chairmen from the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip,
defense Minister Ya'alon said, "The issue of lifting the threat from the tunnels that we know about is nearing completion. We will also increase security for communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip. We are committed to restoring security to residents and this goal needs to lead to a process of expansion and growth for communities in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip."
4:00 p.m. EST
IDF Report: over 90 rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza today into Israel.
10:00 a.m. EST
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday that Operation Protective Edge would continue until quiet was restored to the citizens of Israel.
"The operation in Gaza continues. What is left to be done before it ends is for the IDF to deal with the Gaza attack tunnels. But the operation also won't end until quiet and security are returned to the citizens of Israel for an extended period of time," Netanyahu said in a written statement.
He added, "We have no intention to harm civilians in Gaza. It is clearly Hamas who has harmed these civilians and who has also prevented humanitarian aid from reaching them."
9:00 a.m. EST
An IDF soldier was shot in the stomach by a suspected terrorist in a tunnel in Jerusalem's Mount Scopus Monday afternoon, less than three hours after a separate terrorist attack took the life of a pedestrian in the capital.
8:00 a.m. EST
Prime Minister Netanyahu visits soldiers at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. "You are the best of our sons. You are doing holy work in defending the citizens of Israel and the entire nation is behind you," he told them.
6:35 a.m. EST
A terrorist in his 20s driving a bulldozer from the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber killed one pedestrian and injured seven others before smashing into a car and a bus. An off-duty Israel Prison Services officer shot and killed him.
2:00 a.m. EST
The IDF Spokesman's Office announced a seven-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stipulating it does not apply to areas in which soldiers are currently operating. Hamas said it would not hold its fire for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. The IDF said it will respond to any attempt to exploit the ceasefire and harm Israeli citizens or soldiers.
12:00 a.m. EST
In addition to weaponry uncovered in a terror tunnel, including mortars, explosives, rocket launchers, assault rifles, in last Monday's operation that left five soldiers and one terrorist dead, troops found three motorcycles "ready for use, facing the opening of the tunnel into Israeli territory, intended for use in a complex terror attack on Israeli residential communities in close proximity to the Gaza border."
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Sunday, August 3
6:00 p.m. EST
Today, Gaza terrorists fired 119 rockets at Israel. That's 119 attempts to kill Israelis. Many of the rockets hits Israel, most in open fields, but several hitting buildings or houses and even a school yard. Several injuries were reported, but no casualties.
8:00 p.m. EST
Israel said its military would hold fire in most of the Gaza Strip for seven hours on Monday to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, but would fight back if attacked.
The humanitarian truce, will begin at 10 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. EST).
Hamas spokesperson said they will not hold their fire during the seven-hour halt that Israel declared because the announced Israeli ceasefire "was meant to divert world attention from the massacres committed by the occupation."
5:30 p.m. EST
Speaking Sunday night, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary and until all the objectives of the operation are met.
Operation Protective Edge continues until the objectives are met, the premier said after consulting with Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz, and Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen.
It will continue until quiet and security is restored for a considerable amount of time and significant harm has come to the terrorist infrastructure, Netanyahu said. It will continue no matter how long it takes, no matter how much force needs to be applied.
The IDF will regroup in accordance with security needs after the destruction of the tunnels has been completed and until we achieve the goals of the operation.
4:20 p.m. EST
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel on Sunday of deliberately killing Palestinian mothers and warned it would "drown in the blood it sheds," pulling foreign policy to center stage as a presidential race enters its final week.
11:00 a.m. EST
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described a deadly attack on a UN-run school on Sunday as a "moral outrage and a criminal act" and called for those responsible for the "gross violation of international humanitarian law" to be held accountable.
10:00 a.m. EST
In a second incident, forces operating to uncover shafts identified several terrorists emerging from one and immediately opened fire at the squad, which attempted to flee to a nearby house. The force fired at the terrorists, and confirmed a hit. The forces detonated the tunnels route.
In addition, a paratrooper unit identified four terrorists preparing to launch an anti-tank missile from a house in the southern Gaza Strip. Armored corps opened fire at the target, identifying a hit.
Since midnight, The IDF struck some 40 terror targets in Gaza, as well as 8 terrorists.
9:00 a.m. EST
IDF Report: As Operation Protective Edge moves to the next stage, we are redeploying to enable combat against Hamas and continued defense from tunnels.
8:00 a.m. EST
Israel is facing fresh accusations of hitting another UN school in Gaza Sunday. The circumstances are still unclear at the moment.
Israel does appear to be scaling back the overall fight for now and preparing for a possible drawdown. A number of tanks and other vehicles were seen leaving Gaza.
Security officials say the tunnel mission was winding down. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Hamas will pay an "intolerable price" if it continues to fire rockets at Israeli civilians. He says all options remain on the table.
4:25 a.m. EST
An Israeli air strike killed at least seven people and wounded about 30 others on Sunday in a UN-run school in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses and medics said. The Israeli military declined immediate comment.
A missile launched by an aircraft struck the entrance to the school in the town of Rafah, the witnesses and medics said. Hundreds of Palestinians in the area, where the Israeli military has been battling terrorists, had been sheltering in the school.
3:40 a.m. EST
A delegation of members from Hamas and Islamic Jihad arrived in Cairo on Sunday for indirect ceasefire talks with Israel, to be conducted through Egyptian and US officials, Egyptian sources said.
1:50 a.m. EST
The IDF is reporting that 3127 rockets were launched from Gaza since the start of Operation Protective Edge on July 8, 2014.
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Saturday, August 2
7:45 p.m. EST
Israel's military has just declared a soldier dead who was thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas Friday. The military announced early Sunday morning Israeli time that 23-year-old Hadar Goldin had been killed in battle Friday.
Hundreds of well-wishers from around Israel had gathered outside the family's home, praying and showing their support. There was an outpouring of grief among the crowd when the military's announcement was made public.
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Friday, August 1
10:00 a.m. EST
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (Friday, 1 August 2014), spoke with US Secretary of State John Kerry and told him that despite his joint statement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, according to which assurances had been received from Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip regarding a ceasefire from 08:00 this morning, the Palestinians had unilaterally and grossly violated the humanitarian ceasefire and attacked our soldiers after 09:00.
As a result of this attack, two IDF soldiers were killed and another soldier is suspected to have been abducted; this was after the ceasefire had taken effect.
Prime Minister Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Kerry that Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip will bear the consequences of their actions and that Israel would take all necessary steps against those who call for our destruction and perpetrate terrorism against our citizens.
9:00 a.m. EST
Responding to the attack involving a tunnel behind IDF lines in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip after the 8 am ceasefire, where two soldiers were reportedly killed and one was kidnapped, the UN Special coorinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry said:
"The United Nations is not in a position to independently confirm these reports. However, if corroborated, this would constitute a serious violation of the humanitarian ceasefire in place since 8 am this morning by Gazan militant factions, which should be condemned in the strongest terms."
Mr. Serry urged the Palestinian parties to urgently reaffirm their commitment to the humanitarian ceasefire. He is deeply concerned regarding the serious consequences on the ground that could arise as a result of this incident. He will continue his efforts to contain the violence and the risk of renewed escalation.
8:00 a.m. EST
Kidnapping Update: It is believed that terrorist came up through a tunnel inside Israel. One suicide bomber detonated himself near IDF soldiers, moments before additional terrorists reportedly kidnapped am IDF soldier.
7:00 a.m. EST
IDF Report: We are conducting extensive searches in S. Gaza in order to find a missing IDF soldier. We suspect the soldier was kidnapped by Hamas today.
4:00 a.m. EST
IDF releases names of all five soldiers killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on Thursday: Sergeant First Class (res.) Daniel Marash, 22, of Rishon Lezion, Capt. Omri Tal, 22, from Yehud, St.-Sgt. Shay Kushnir, 20, of Kiryat Motzkin, St.-Sgt. Noam Rosenthal, 20, from Meitar, and Capt. (res.) Liran Adir (Edry), 31, from Ezuz.
3:00 a.m. EST
IDF confirms the ceasfire has been shattered due to the latest report from Gaza. A total of 10 deaths and 50 wounded. 23 rockets, 15 landed in Israel, several in Gaza, 7 intercepted by the Iron Dome.
2:00 a.m. EST
2 IDF soldiers had been shot by snipers and taken immediately for medical attention in Gaza city last night.
1:00 a.m EST
The US, UN-brokered humanitarian cease-fire goes into effect for 72 hours
12:47 a.m. EST
IDF managed to hit 40 terror targets,120 terror sites and 2 tunnels overnight.
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Thursday, July 31
2:30 p.m. EST
"The shelling of a UN facility that is housing innocent civilians who are fleeing violence is totally unacceptable and totally indefensible."
- White House spokesman Josh Earnest
12:30 a.m. EST
"The civilian casualties in Gaza have been too high. And it's become clear that the Israelis need to do more to live up to their very high standards - their very high and very public standards - for protecting civilian life."
- Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren
11:05 a.m. EST
Rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome in Tel-Aviv area.
10:32 a.m. EST
UNRWA head Pierre Krahenbuhl says, "If we are not safe in an UNRWA school we are not safe anywhere." It has also been reported that 8 of Krahenbul's colleagues lost their lives during the war in Gaza.
6:00 a.m. EST
The IDF confirmed of 1 injured soldier who was hit by a sniper in Shejaia, Gaza.
5:55 a.m. EST
One civilian had been slightly injured by a wave of rockets fired from Gaza in the town of Sderot, 3 of which landed on city grounds.
5:00 a.m. EST
PM Netanyahu decided not to agree to a cease-fire that would not allow the IDF to investigate and destroy the tunnels created to infiltrate Israel. "We have destroyed dozens of tunnels and we will finish the rest with or without a cease-fire," Said Netanyahu.
1:00 a.m. EST
IDF decides to call up 16,000 additional reserve troops, raising number of reserve soldiers called up so far to 86,000
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Wednesday, July 30
6:40 p.m. EST
IDF Report: Over the past 24 hours over 140 rockets were fired at Israel. That is 1 every 10 minutes!
81 rockets hit Israel, 9 were intercepted and 50 fell short inside Gaza.
9:08 a.m. EST
Communities in Gaza receive repeated warning sirens of rockets and incoming fire.
8:54 a.m. EST
12 soldiers were severely injured and 4 in critical condition from a firefight in the Gaza strip.
8:36 a.m. EST
Around 8:00a.m rockets were fired in the south from Gaza and managed to damage property in Sdot Negev and Eshkol Regional Councils.
7:29 a.m EST
Starting at 8:00a.m. a 4 hour humanitarian truce was agreed to take place by the IDF in Gaza.
5:58 a.m. EST
Hamas again refusing ceasefire unless of all its conditions are accepted.
4:15 a.m. EST
IDF found and destroyed 3 terror tunnels. One included a large quantity of grenades and AK-47 assault rifles.
2:00 a.m. EST
Over 80 targets had been struck by the IDF in to Gaza during the night. Several of the targets had been mosques storing weapons and being used for operational military purposes.
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Tuesday, July 29
8:00 p.m EST
Weapons found in a UN school in the Gaza Strip
7:00 p.m. EST
29 soldiers and 7 civilians were injured amidst the fighting and were taken for treatment at the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.
6:45 p.m. EST
The IDF struck a number of terror sites throughout the Gaza strip during the night.
10:30 a.m. EST
The IDF spotted and killed five Hamas terrorist entering through a tunnel opening from Gaza.
8:06 a.m. EST
Fatah official Yasser Abed Rabbo announces a 72-hour ceasefire approved by Hamas goes into effect immediately. There is no confirmation yet.
6 a.m. EST
The IDF continues to warn Gaza civilians to leave their homes by phone calls and leaflets. They were asked specifically to evacuate and head towards central Khan Younis.
3:47 a.m. EST
The IDF says it targeted more than 70 terror sites in Gaza overnight, including two Hamas command and control centers, four weapon storage sites hidden in mosques, a concealed rocket launcher near a mosque and an entire tunnel route. Early this morning Israel says it also targeted the "treasury wing" of Hamas used to fund and manage terror activities and Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV station, which is used to transmit orders and messages to Hamas operatives, instruct Gaza residents to ignore IDF warnings, and to incite Palestinians against Israel.
3:11 a.m. EST
Five IDF soldiers were killed as they were trying to stop an attempted tunnel infiltration into Israel by Hamas terrorists.
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Monday, July 28
2:45 p.m. EST
The IDF announced that five soldiers were killed in two separate incidents today. St.-Sgt. Moshe Davino, 20, of Jerusalem was killed in action inside Gaza. Four others, not yet identified, were killed in the mortar attack in Eshkol.
The IDF death toll now stands at 48.
1:30 p.m. EST
From a joint press conference to the State of Israel:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel is prepared for a prolonged operation in Gaza, with striking its tunnels as the first and necessary toward demilitarizing the coastal territories.
"There is no war more just than this. I would like to extend my condolences to the families of our fallen soldiers." Netanyahu told the press at the Defense Ministry compound in Tel Aviv, adding that this is a hard and painful day. We will not end the operation in Gaza without neutralizing the terror tunnels.
"Bravery and determination are needed to fight a terror group which seeks our destruction," he says, adding that the operation would not end before the tunnels from the Gaza Strip are neutralized. "Hamas is a cruel enemy, not only to us, but to their own citizens. They have rejected numerous cease-fires. We are prepared for an extended operation."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, speaking after Netanyahu, reiterated that Israel will not hesitate to expand the operation in Gaza, and that it will not compromise on its security.
1:00 p.m. EST
The IDF on Monday evening sent messages warning Gaza residents to immediately evacuate to central Gaza City from the regions of Shejaia, Zeitoun and western Jabalia. The military warned the population via recorded voice messages and text messages.
12:45 p.m. EST
Five Gaza militants breach Israeli border surfacing from a tunnel in the Nahal Oz area and opened fire at IDF troops. The troops returned fire, killing one Gazan attacker. The other are believed to have retreated back into the tunnel.
12:20 p.m. EST
The IDF confirmed that Shifa hospital in Gaza was hit by failed Gazan rocket. The explosion killed 10 people, including children, according to Palestinian reports. Hamas had blamed the attack on an IAF drone strike.
11:00 a.m. EST
A number of people were injured after a mortar shell exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council on Monday. The seven injured were evacuated to Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba.
10:00 a.m. EST
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "The Security Council Presidential Statement relates to the needs of a murderous terrorist organization that is attacking Israeli civilians and does not address Israel's security needs, including the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip according to the principle laid down in the interim agreements with the Palestinians.
The statement does not refer to attacks on Israeli civilians, or to the fact that Hamas has turned the residents of Gaza into human shields and uses UN facilities to attack Israeli civilians. Israel accepted three UN proposals for humanitarian truces, and Hamas violated them all.
Even now they are continuing to fire at Israeli civilians. Israel will continue to deal with the terrorist tunnels, and this is only the first step in the demilitarization. Instead of the funds of the international community serving the construction of terrorist tunnels for perpetrating large-scale attacks against Israeli civilians, the international community needs to act toward the demilitarization of Gaza."
9:00 a.m. EST
IDF Report: Following several rocket attacks on Israel in the last few hours, the IAF resumed air strikes on terrorist targets across the Gaza Strip
5:00 a.m. EST
The IDF targeted 2 concealed rocket launchers and a weapon manufacturing site in the northern and central Gaza Strip.
3:45 a.m. EST
Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely stated on Monday that the cease-fire proposal put forward by the United States in recent days would only benefit Hamas in Gaza.
"Israel must postpone the cease-fire proposed by Obama," she said, "The majority of the Israeli public supports continuing the operation [Protective Edge], and the government's capability to provide a game changer in the Gaza Strip by removing Hamas.
3:00 a.m. EST
The security cabinet convened to discuss whether or not to expand operations in Gaza.
2:30 a.m. EST
Following the rocket that hit Ashkelon earlier, the IDF retaliated towards Beit Lahyia area, from which the rocket was fired.
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Sunday, July 27
11:00 p.m. EST
15 Security Council members agree on statement supporting immediate humanitarian cease-fire, and will formally adopt it at a midnight meeting.
5:50 p.m. EST
IDF Report: The IDF said it completed an investigation into the shelling on Thursday of an UNRWA school in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, and found that Hamas terrorists fired at the army from within the school complex.
The IDF fired several mortar rounds in response. One IDF mortar fell in a yard near the school, which was empty, the military said.
4:00 p.m. EST
US President Barack Obama called for an "immediate cease-fire" in a phone call to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Sunday night.
Obama added that any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of militant groups and the demilitarization of Gaza.
3:00 p.m. EST
Around 200 Israeli Christians demonstrated in Haifa Sunday night in support of the IDF and in solidarity with Christians around the Middle East. Protesters held signs condemning terrorism and "ethnic cleansing" of Christians in the Middle East.
2:30 p.m. EST
Seven tunnels have been neutralized and two destroyed over the last 24 hours, the IDF says. In addition, three Palestinian militants were killed in an Air Force strike on a rocket launching pad. According to the IDF, since the ground incursion into Gaza began, 2,930 targets were attacked and over 300 militants were killed.
12:30 p.m. EST
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "urges, in the strongest terms, both the Israelis and Palestinians to extend, for an additional 24 hours, the humanitarian cease-fire that was in effect and mostly observed until early this morning.
He notes the importance for both Israelis and Palestinians to be able to have a break in the violence that has killed too many, marred so many lives, and caused such destruction."
9:00 a.m. EST
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the cease-fire draft presented by U.S. State Secretary John Kerry, saying in a series of interviews for American morning shows that the only offer on the table is the Egyptian one.
The Israeli prime minister says financial aid for Gaza's residents must be contingent on dismantling the Strip from its arsenals of heavy weaponry and rockets. Funds given by the international community for civilian purposes was used for military end
7:30 a.m. EST
The Egyptian army destroyed 13 tunnels linking Gaza and Sinai
5:45 a.m. EST
According to leaked documents, the cease-fire proposal U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry presented to Israel contained practically no mention of Israel's security needs or of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip of rockets
5:10 a.m. EST
The IDF rejects reports that 15 Palestinians were killed in a strike on an UNRWA school in Beit Hanun on Thursday. According to the army, militants fired antitank missiles from the school toward IDF troops, who retaliated with mortar fire. A military inquiry into the incident found that one of the Israeli shells hit the school's yard, which was empty at the time. "The findings disprove claims about casualties within the school," the army said.
4:30 a.m. EST
Border police arrest a man driving a car full of explosives at the Beitar checkpoint in the West Bank. According to the police, the drier was wearing a wig and was "behaving in a suspicious manner.
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Saturday, July 26
10:00 p.m. EST
The IDF renews strikes on the Gaza Strip after rocket barrages are fired on southern and central Israel.
"Following Hamas' incessant rocket fire throughout the humanitarian window, which was agreed upon for the welfare of the civilian population in Gaza, the IDF will now resume its aerial, naval and ground activity in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.
6:00 p.m. EST
A Hamas spokesman responds to the Israeli extension of the humanitarian pause in fighting, saying: "Any cease-fire that doesn't ensure that the IDF pulls out of Gaza and the evacuation of the injured is not acceptable to Hamas."
5:30 p.m. EST
Cpt. Liad Lavi, 22 & Chief Warrant Officer Rami Chalon, 39, both injured in battle, died of their wounds today.
5:00 p.m. EST
Despite rocket fire from Hamas during the 16 hour ceasefire, the Israeli Security Cabinet extends the humanitarian cease fire for 24 more hours until Sunday night at midnight (5pm EST).
2:04 p.m. EST
Just minutes after the original 12 hour ceasefire came to a close and Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire another 4 hours, 4 rockets were fired into southern Israel.
12:00 p.m. EST
The Israeli government has voted to extened the current ceasefire by 4 hours, until midnight (5pm EST).
"As far as Israel is concerned, there is no reason to prevent Gaza's people from stocking up on supplies, so long as the military can continue its work against the tunnels. Our war is not against the population." - Unnamed government official.
10:00 a.m. EST
"We will not accept any solutions that do not take into consideration the rights of our people in Gaza." - Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk
8:00 a.m. EST
A call to extend the current 12-hour ceasefire is coming from a meeting hosted by France in order to reach a ceasefire agreement 'as quickly as possible'. Foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Turkey and the United States were in attendance.
5:20 a.m. EST
Turkey lifted a ban on flights to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport after a temporary cease-fire was agreed between the parties, the state's SHGM aviation authority said on Saturday.
3:00 a.m. EST
The IDF Givati ??Brigade continued searching for and locating terror sites in Gaza in Gaza on Saturday morning amid a 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire. The sites found contained various weapons and communications devices.
1:15 a.m. EST
A rocket fired earlier from Gaza exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council as a temporary pause in fighting went into effect.
1:00 a.m. EST
A 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire, requested by the UN, between the IDF and Hamss in the Gaza Strip was expected to go into effect at 8 a.m (1am EST).
12:30 a.m. EST
The IDF is reporting it has struck over 155 targets across Gaza in the last 24 hours.
12:00 a.m. EST
Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, approximately 2,430 rockets have been launched at Israel, and at least 1,500 targets "associated with rocket-launching capabilities" have been targeted.
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Friday, July 25
10:30 p.m.EST
The IDF announced that 2 IDF soldiers were killed in action the previous night, fighting in the Gaza Strip. One of the deceased was Staff Sgt. Guy Boyland, a 21-year-old combat engineer from Ginosar. 19 were lightly wounded, 13 sustained moderate wounds and 3 soldiers were critically wounded.
The deaths of two more soldiers brings the IDF's death toll to 37.
5:45 p.m. EST
A Hamas spokesman announced that Hamas has agreed to a 12 hour ceasefire beginning on Saturday morning.
4:50 p.m. EST
Hours after rejecting terms for a longer cease-fire, Netanyahu told Kerry that Israel will begin a 12-hour pause in hostilities starting at 8 a.m. (1am EST).
4:20 p.m. EST
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State John Kerry late Friday that Israel will observe a 12-hour cease-fire beginning Saturday at 7 a.m. local Israeli time (12 a.m. EST).
3:40 p.m. EST
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon tells soldiers to "be prepared for the possibility that IDF will be ordered to expand Gaza ground operation very soon."
3:30 p.m. EST
Hamas gunmen attempt to kidnap an IDF soldier by dragging him into a tunnel. An IDF tank fired shells at the site of the attempted abduction, enabling the soldier to break free.
3:05 p.m. EST
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that there are still disagreements on the terminology for a Gaza truce but he is confident there is a framework that will ultimately succeed.
He told reporters in Cairo that "serious progress" had been made on a truce but there was more work to do and he was sure that Prime Minister Netanyahu is committed to working towards a ceasefire.
2:10 p.m. EST
Around noon today, terrorists fired mortars & anti-tank missiles from near an UNRWA school in Gaza, killing IDF soldier taff Sgt. Guy Levy, 21, from Kfar Vradim.
1:45 p.m. EST
Air France says it will resume flights to Tel Aviv later Friday, the latest major airline to lift a ban on flights to Israel imposed earlier in the week over security concerns.
1:45 p.m. EST Israeli cabinet rejects Kerry's cease-fire proposal. Discussions continue on how to improve the proposal.
1:39 p.m. EST IDF Spokesman says soldier killed in Gaza Friday is Staff Sgt. Guy Levy, 21, from Kfar Vradim. Levy was killed by mortar fire from a structure near an UNRWA school in the central Gaza Strip.
1:00 p.m. EST
Germany's Lufthansa said it would resume flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport on Saturday July 26, lifting a ban imposed in response to fears that rockets being fired from Gaza could pose a threat to aircraft.
12:10 p.m. EST
IDF spokesmen said one soldier was killed in action Friday afternoon in central Gaza bringing the number of fallen soldiers to 35.Fourteen others were injured in the last 24 hours.
11:47 a.m. EST
Germany's Lufthansa said it would resume flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport on Saturday July 26, lifting a ban imposed in response to fears that rockets being fired from Gaza could pose a threat to aircraft.
9:20 a.m. EST
Israeli Security cabinet convenes to discuss John Kerry's cease-fire proposal.
8:30 a.m. EST
Some 240 terrorists have been killed by the IDF in Gaza since the start of the ground offensive last week. The IDF struck 75 targets across Gaza on Friday, and 3,590 targets since the start of Operation Protective Shield.
On Friday afternoon, the IDF uncovered anti-tank missiles, grenades, and communication equipment in a south Gaza home. Additionally, paratroopers encountered six armed terrorists, and opened fire, killing them.
6:45 a.m. EST
IDF soldier Master Sergeant (Res.) Yair Ashkenazy, 36 years old from Rehovot, was killed in Gaza earlier today. He leaves behind him a wife and three children.
Ashkenazy was a combatant in the reserve brigade of the IDF Officer Cadet. He was killed earlier today during operational activity in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF said. The circumstances of his death are being investigated, and friendly-fire has not been ruled out.
3:00 a.m. EST
Last night in central Gaza, the IDF found a civilian house containing explosives and loaded rocket launchers.
12:15 a.m. EST
The Israeli security cabinet is expected to convene on Friday afternoon to discuss a cease-fire proposal presented by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
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Thursday, July 24
11:15 p.m. EST
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) was prepared to operate in the face of intensified threats of cyber warfare in the coming days, especially in light of Iran's anti-Israel Quds Days and Laylat al-Qadr, marking the coming end to the month of Ramadan.
Along with Israel's general cyber security activities, the IDF's Cyber Protection Unit was preparing to deal with the activities of hackers from around the Muslim world as well as ground in the Gaza Strip.
9:20 p.m. EST
The Transportation Ministry initiated on Thursday night an operation to retrieve Israelis stranded in Turkey due to airline bans on travel to Ben-Gurion Airport. El Al, in cooperation with the ministry, was set to send planes to Athens while a Turkish carrier was due to bring Israelis to the Greek capital where they would transfer to the Israeli aircraft and return to the airport in Tel Aviv.
5:00 p.m. EST
Violence broke out near Kalandia between Jerusalem and Ramallah, as over 1,000 Palestinians protested near the checkpoint, throwing rocks, firebombs and fireworks at Israeli security forces, and setting tires on fire. IDF forces and Border Police were using crowd dispersal means on the masses.
3:30 p.m. EST
IDF Spokesperson's Office says initial investigation into shelling of UN-run school in Gaza found that terrorists opened fire from the vicinity of the school, and the army returned fire. At the same time, Hamas fired in the general direction of the school, the army said.
3:25 p.m. EST
As rockets rained down on southern Israel at a heavy rate this evening, the sirens also sounded in Eilat. Moments later, the Iron Dome intercepted the rocket above the city.
1:10 p.m. EST
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will push for Israel to be tried at an international criminal court if it kept up its assault on Gaza and accused the Jewish state of "spitting blood."
12:47 p.m. EST
The US State Department says the deadly Gaza school incident "underscores the need to end violence."
12:25 p.m. EST
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he was appalled by an attack on a UN-run school in the northern Gaza strip that had killed Palestinian civilians and UN staff.
"Circumstances are still unclear. I strongly condemn this act," Ban said in a statement. "Many have been killed - including women and children, as well as UN staff."
The Gaza health ministry said at least 15 people had been killed and some 200 wounded. The IDF was looking into the matter.
11:45 a.m. EST
President Shimon Peres thanks Israel for "the privilege of serving the country and its citizens for seven years," in final speech as president before president-elect Rivilin's swearing in. He went on to talk about the Gaza offensive and the tunnels the IDF has uncovered.
He said terrorists turned Gaza into a man-made tragedy, and that Israel never opened fire on Gaza but rather, retaliated when it was shot at. "We are fighting to ensure our citizens' safety," he noted.
Hamas planted seeds of death and harvested death, the president continued, mentioning their use of children as human shields.
Addressing the terrorist organization directly, he said, "for 66 years terror hasn't brought you any gains. You lose out when you shoot," he said.
11:00 a.m. EST
Hamas must agree to a humanitarian ceasefire without conditions, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said at news conference in Cairo on Thursday, as Egypt tries to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
9:00 a.m. EST
Europe's Aviation Safety Agency, which had issued a "strong recommendation" against flights to Tel Aviv, retracted its warning on flights to and from Israel.
8:40 a.m. EST
Binyamin Netanyahu spoke at the Knesset at a cabinet meeting, saying Israel is continuing its operation in Gaza in full force from the ground and the air. He opened his remarks by saying the IDF has delivered a powerful blow to the Hamas infrastructure.
"We are continuing the operation in full strength," he said, adding that the IDF was making big gains in Gaza.
"In the past day, we have worked to overturn the FAA ban on flights to and from Israel, and that has gained fruit."
Regarding the fallen soldiers Netanyahu said: "In the name of all the people of Israel, I express deep condolences to the families, the fathers and mothers, of our soldiers that have died protecting our country."
7:00 a.m. EST
The Egyptian army thwarted an attack against Israel on Wednesday night, killing a suicide bomber who ran towards the border near Kerem Shalom, Egyptian military sources said.
5:40 a.m. EST
Turkey is working with international partners to negotiate both a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict and access for humanitarian aid, the Turkish foreign minister said on Thursday. "The US, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt have been working for the last five days to ensure an immediate cease-fire," said Ahmet Davutoglu.
4:50 a.m. EST
Three rockets intercepted over greater-Tel Aviv. Hamas says they fired at Ben-Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv.
4:25 a.m. EST
At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Britain's new foreign secretary Philip Hammond, Hammond said that Britain wanted to see a cease-fire as quickly as possible, declaring: "I came to bring this conflict to an end." He also put the blame on Gaza's rulers for triggering the current round of conflict.
Netanyahu, for his part, blasted "Hamas and the Islamic Jihad's use of civilians is extremely cynical. It's a travesty."
3:45 a.m. EST
Brazil on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations in protest over the IDF's operation in the Gaza Strip. A statement put out by the Brazilian foreign ministry said that Brazil considers escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine as unacceptable. We strongly condemn the disproportionate use of force by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
1:30 a.m. EST
The IDF took some 150 Hamas terrorists prisoner after they surrendered in last night's offensive on the neighborhoods of Khan Younis and Rafah in the Gaza Strip.
The prisoners will be transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning regarding the movements and operations of Hamas in Gaza.
12:00 a.m. EST
The FAA lifts its flight ban to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport after reassurances from the Israeli government of new security measures put in place.
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Wednesday, July 23
11:00 p.m. EST
Palestinian youths in Bethlehem clashed overnight between Wednesday and Thursday with Palestinian security forces and Israeli military, showing solidarity as fighting continued to rage in Gaza, displacing thousands more Palestinians in the battered territory.
Palestinian riot police were seen trying to prevent youths from getting near Israeli soldiers but eventually moved aside as scores of youths streamed into the streets throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers, who responded with tear gas and skunk water fired from a cannon.
7:00 p.m. EST
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "expresses his outrage and regret at the placing of weapons in a U.N.-administered school," a United Nations statement said. UNRWA is sheltering 102,000 people in 69 of its schools amid the renewed violence. "By doing so, those responsible are turning schools into potential military targets, and endangering the lives of innocent children, UN employees working in such facilities and anyone using the UN schools as shelter."
5:45 p.m. EST
In the last 24 hours, over 95 rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza, the IDF says.
2:25 p.m. EST
Turkish Airlines extended its suspension of flights to Israel for another 24 hours due to security reasons, Communications Minister Lutfi Elvan said on Wednesday.
11:00 a.m. EST
3 IDF soldiers were killed in battles with terrorists in south Gaza early on Wednesday and several others were air lifted to hospital with injuries, the IDF said.
The three have been named as: Lt. Paz Eliyahu, 22, a Paratrooper from Kibbutz Evron; St.-Sgt. Li Mat, 19, from Eilat; and St.-Sgt. Shahar Dauber, a 20-year-old Paratrooper from Kibbutz Ginegar.
10:20 a.m. EST
Following a 24-hour Federal Aviation Authority prohibition on flying to Ben-Gurion Airport Tuesday night, Israel opened up Ovdah as an alternative, offering to bus passengers up to country's center. No airlines that have suspended flights to Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel have agreed to reroute flights to Ovdah airport in the South, according to a Transportation Ministry spokesman.
9:00 a.m. EST
After halting flights for almost 36 hours, foreign airlines have announced the cancellation of flights to and from Israel for another 24 hours.
8:45 a.m. EST
IDF finds tunnel with IDF uniforms and weapons .
6:25 a.m. EST
Hamas has used positions in the Al-Wafa hospital in Gaza to fire automatic weapons and anti-tank missiles on soldiers, and the IDF fired back in recent minutes, the army said Wednesday.
"The hospital was used for activating war rooms and command and control centers by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad," the army said.
The IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories has issued repeated and direct warnings to the hospital's manager, and to other Palestinians involved in running the hospital, the army said. "Firing on our soldiers has grown in recent hours and endangered forces. As a result, the IDF has decided to strike terrorists operating in the hospital complex."
6:10 a.m. EST
Thai migrant farm worker dies after rocket fired from Gaza hits a hothouse he was working in near Ashkelon.
5:30 a.m. EST
A rocket from Gaza hit a hot house in the Ashkelon Coast Council, seriously wounding an agricultural worker. The foreign worker from Thailand was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital. Five rockets were also intercepted by the Iron Dome over the area.
3:30 a.m. EST
Transportation Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday instructed the relevant agencies to immediately open the Uvda airport, the country's second terminus for air traffic which lies just north of Eilat, in the wake of the spate of flight cancellations announced by major foreign airlines.
12:00 a.m. EST
The IDF confirms that yesterday, Sgt. First Class Oded Ben Sira was killed on the battlefield defending the citizens of Israel. May his memory be blessed.
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Tuesday, July 22
11:30 p.m. EST
Two IDF soldiers were killed Tuesday evening in Gaza, among them Major Dmitri Levitas, a company commander serving in the Armored Corps, was killed by Gazan sniper fire. He was 36 years old and from the cities of Jerusalem and Geshur in the Golan Heights.
