During the day, the IAF carried out approximately 51 sorties to the Gaza Strip and attacked Hamas ta

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IDF Operation in the Gaza Strip

• During the day, the IAF carried out approximately
  51 sorties to the Gaza Strip and attacked Hamas
  targets. The targets included weapon stockpiles
  and arsenals, rocket manufacturing facilities,
  training camps, command centers, communication
  rooms and additional targets.
• The IDF has massed armored and ground forces
  along the border with Gaza in preparation for any
  eventuality.

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IDF Operation in the Gaza Strip

• Following an extended period of restraint and as
  part of its right and obligation to defend the
  safety of its citizens, the Government of Israel
  has ordered the IDF to take measures against
  Hamas and other terrorist organizations. These
  measures are directed at Hamas and other
  terrorist infrastructure. They are part of an
  effort to create more favorable defensive
  conditions for an extended period.
• The war on terrorism and terrorist infrastructure
  is ongoing and arduous. The IDF is prepared to
  expand its activity, including a ground offensive
  if needed, and will continue in accordance with
  the strategic assessments. The operation will
  continue for as long as required.

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IDF Operation in the Gaza Strip

• The IDF is doing its utmost to avoid civilian
  casualties.
• Careful targeting of military sites.
• Leaflets distributed telling civilians to
  distance themselves from concentrations of
  weapons and combatants.
• SMS and phone warnings sent to residents in
  specifically targeted areas.
• In contrast, Hamas specifically targets Israeli
  civilians. Since the end of the State of Calm
  between Israel and Gaza,
• 4 Israeli killed (3 today)
• 24 wounded (4 seriously 8 moderately)

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Hamas Targets Hit by the IAF
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Rockets and Mortar Hits in Israel

• The Palestinian terror organizations,
  particularly Hamas, are continuing to fire
  rockets and mortars towards Israeli cities and
  communities. The rockets fired were of various
  ranges - the longest range today was 37 km and
  hit in the area of Ashdod. Approximately 37
  Qassam rockets, 11 mortar shells and 11 Grad
  rockets have been fired since this morning
  (29/12). One Qassam rocket hit a building in the
  city of Ashqelon, killing one Israeli civilian.

29/12/08
Total rockets launched 37 Total mortar shells
launched 11 Total Grad rockets 11 Civilians
killed 2 Soldiers killed 1 Civilians wounded
19 Soldiers wounded 5
28/12/08
Total rockets launched 12 Total mortar shells
launched 18 Civilians killed 0 Civilians
wounded 4
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Humanitarian Aid

• The IDF is doing its utmost to assist with
  humanitarian aid and will not allow the
  humanitarian conditions in Gaza to deteriorate.
  Hamas bears sole responsibility for the closing
  of the crossings and for the suffering endured by
  the Palestinian civilian population.
• The IDF continues to coordinate activities with
  international organizations such as ICRC, WFP and
  UNRWA in order to facilitate the passage of
  humanitarian aid.
• Today, Israel transferred 57 trucks of
  humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• In addition, the COGAT authorized the transfer of
  5 Red Cross ambulances and one Jordanian truck
  with 1,000 blood units into Gaza.

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Focal Points

• Following an extended period of restraintand as
  part of its right and obligation to defend the
  safety of its citizensthe Government of Israel
  has ordered the IDF to take measures against
  Hamas and other terrorist organizations. These
  measures are directed at destroying Hamas and
  other terrorist infrastructure in an effort to
  create more favorable defensive conditions for an
  extended period.
• The war on terrorism and terrorist infrastructure
  is an arduous one. The IDF is prepared to expand
  its operations as necessary and will proceed
  according to its strategic assessments. The
  operation will continue for as long as is
  required.
• Hamas operates intentionally from within the
  midst of densely populates areas. It uses Gazas
  civilians as human shields. Hamas locates weapons
  and ammunition stores in the basements of
  apartment buildings. It fires rockets and
  mortars from within school and hospital grounds.
  Children are sent to collect rocket launchers.
• Hamas preparations are designed to force the IDF
  to act in populated areas. This tactic is similar
  to Hezbollahs in southern Lebanon, and
  demonstrates the scope of information-exchange
  between members of the radical axis led by Iran.
• Hamas has undertaken a monumental effort in
  creating a tunnel network and placing IEDs
  alongside the roads, to challenge IDF operations
  in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has created a minefield
  in the heart of Gazas civilian neighborhoods.
• The IDF is doing its utmost to ensure the
  continued flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
  Hamas bears sole responsibility for the closing
  of the crossings and for the suffering endured by
  the Palestinian civilian population.