| 1 |
An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) went into effect at 11:30 pm local time Sunday after further rounds of rocket fire were launched from the Gaza Strip, ending three days of fighting in the coastal enclave.
In a statement late Sunday, Israel’s Public Diplomacy Directorate thanked Egypt for its diplomatic efforts, and pledged to “respond strongly” if the ceasefire was violated by the Islamic Jihad.
The ceasefire deal was praised by US President Joe Biden. In a statement, Biden affirmed his support for Israel’s right to self-defense and praised the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Overnight Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces continued to target high ranking PIJ commanders, killing senior PIJ terrorist and Gaza Strip southern division commander Khaled Mansour. IDF strikes also killed Khatab ‘Amasi, Mansour’s deputy and commanding officer of the Rafah Brigade in the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, and Ziad Madalal, a member of the Islamic Jihad leadership.
Since the start of Operation Breaking Dawn, more than 1,000 rockets were fired at the Jewish State from Gaza, with 97 percent intercepted and more than 120 landing within Gaza, according to the IDF.
| 2 |
As Operation Breaking Dawn entered its third day, Arkia Airlines started offering free holiday packages to residents of towns bordering Gaza.
In cooperation with the regional councils, the Israeli airline will be giving residents the choice of staying in Cyprus, Greece or Bulgaria for three to four nights. The packages, which include free flights and hotel reservations, were available for residents of Eshkol and Ashkelon Regional Council.
To fund these deals, the Israeli government has provided grants of $95 per person, with the airline committing to pick up the balance.
Relatedly, Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman on Sunday asked the country’s Tax Authority (ITA) chief to provide aid for residents who were affected by the conflict with Gaza terrorists.
Following instructions issued by the Home Front Command, many Israelis had to refrain from going to work due to rocket attacks from Gaza.
There are also residents whose homes were directly damaged by the strikes or shrapnel. For them, the ITA offers alternative placement in a hotel or rental apartment, with the Tax Authority covering the costs of housing and transportation.
| 4 |
More than 2,000 Jews ascended the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Sunday to mark Tisha B’Av, the fast day that began the night before that commemorates the destruction of the two ancient temples.
The visits to Judaism’s holiest site took place amid the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which fired rockets towards the holy city on Sunday morning, setting off sirens in surrounding areas.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepted the projectiles.
Three Jews were detained for violating the Israeli government’s prohibition against Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, local media reported. The report cited police sources as saying they had “no intention of allowing any provocations or disturbances in Jerusalem at the site.”
Recommended Reading
- Iran ‘Almost Certainly’ to Blame for Escalation – Former Israeli General (Adi Koplewitz/The Media Line, Jerusalem Post)
- Empowering Pro-Israel Students Is Crucial for Israel’s Future (Ilan Sinelnikov, Jerusalem Post)
- While Israel Is Focused on Iran, Nuclear Danger Is Rearing Its Head Elsewhere (Tamir Morag, Israel Hayom)
- Proving Josephus: Research on Roman Ballistics Confirms Second Temple Battle Account (Amanda Borschel-Dan, Times of Israel)
- Ichilov: The World’s Most Advanced Hospital (John Jeffay, NoCamels)
Featured Image: Majdi Fathi/TPS
