The Times of Israel is liveblogging the events of Wednesday, November 13, a day after Israel was hit by 200 rockets following the killing of Islamic Jihad terror chief Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza.
Rockets keep raining on the south
More rocket sirens sound in Zikim and Netiv Ha’asara, according to initial reports.
The IDF promises details will follow soon.
Rocket fire catches TV crew during live shot
Sirens sound in a couple of spots near the Gaza border, breaking a short lull.
One of the areas is an IDF staging area, where a pair of Channel 12 correspondents are doing a live standup. One correspondent briefly takes cover, while the other continues to broadcast, pointing out the missile being intercepted offscreen.
The area is targeted a second time about a minute later and that time both take cover, while continuing to broadcast.
Islamic Jihad armed wing takes responsibility for rocket fire
In a joint statement, the Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, and three other armed groups in Gaza take credit for firing dozens of rockets at Sderot and Ashkelon.
“We announce that we are responsible for this heroic mission,” the joint statement reads.
Day’s rocket tally reported over 200, with more expected
Hebrew media sites are reporting that the day’s tally of rockets has surpassed 200, bringing the total amount in this round of fighting to over 400.
There is no official count from the Israeli military.
Channel 13 news reports that rocket fire is expected to ramp up in the evening.
Residents of the Gaza area are being told to stay in their bomb shelters, Channel 12 news reports.
IDF strikes Islamic Jihad member, death toll up to 24
The IDF says it carried out an airstrike against an Islamic Jihad member in the northern Gaza Strip who was readying to launch a rocket.
“A hit was identified,” the army says, but there is no confirmation from Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says the body of a Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in the southern Gaza Strip arrived at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The death brings the tally of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip since Tuesday to 24, at least half of whom were members of terror groups.
Video shows damage to Ashkelon apartment hit by missile
Video released by the police shows the damage to an old-age home in Ashkelon that suffered a direct hit from a rocket, lightly injuring one person.
תיעוד מתוך הדירה בדיור המוגן שספגה את פגיעת הרקטה באשקלון@pozailov1
(צילום: דוברות המשטרה) pic.twitter.com/yRp1rHDd9Q— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) November 13, 2019
Meanwhile, rocket sirens continue to sound in several Israeli communities near the border, with no reports of damage or injuries.
Rockets continue to rain as dusk sets in
Rocket sirens sound in several Gaza communities, including Sderot and Netiv Ha’asara.
No immediate reports of injuries of damage.
Bennett blames Islamic Jihad, says it will decide way forward
In his remarks, Naftali Bennett appears to take pains to avoid implicating Hamas in the fighting in Gaza, placing the blame directly on Islamic Jihad’s doorstep.
“We see Islamic Jihad wants to drag the residents of Gaza into much greater harm. This is their decision if they will drag Gaza [residents] into something like this. We hope they won’t, but they will be responsible for any decisions in the coming hours.”
Netanyahu, Bennett visit south, threaten terror leaders
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited IDF command headquarters in southern Israel for security consultations, leveling threats to resume assassination operations against Gaza terrorists.
“The terrorists know we can put a target on them and we will put a target on anyone who tries to harm us. They know we can get to them in their hiding places with surgical precision,” Netanyahu says, according to a statement from his office.
Netanyahu, who is no longer defense minister, adds that the defense leaders agreed on next steps forward.
New Defense Minister Naftali Bennett releases a statement with similar threats.
“Every terrorist and terror initiator know they have on their back a timer for the end of their life,” he says, according to a statement.
More rocket sirens as fresh barrage launched
Rocket sirens are heard in several towns near Gaza, including Nahal Oz, Kfar Maimon, Zimrat and elsewhere.
There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Mladenov calls on sides to act with restraint, condemns rocket fire at Israel
UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov condemns rocket fire at Israeli civilians and calls on all sides to act with restraint.
“I am very concerned about the ongoing and serious escalation between Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Israel, following the targeted killing of one of the group’s leaders inside Gaza yesterday,” he says in a statement.
“The indiscriminate launching of rockets and mortars against population centers is absolutely unacceptable and must stop immediately.There can be no justification for any attacks against civilians.”
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