Rain of Terror Against Israel

The past few days have seen over 200 rockets and mortars fired out of Gaza towards Israel. Luckily there have been no deaths caused by them. Israel has continued to defend itself by sending in guided missiles to target the precise locations of the attackers.

The retaliatory airstrikes have killed around 25 militants. Unfortunately the Gazan terrorists have taken to hiding amongst populated areas, and some civilians have been injured and killed as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the use of these human shields.

The rain of terror has caused schools and other places to be closed, all over southern Israel. Other parts of the country have prepared for the attacks to spread as well. Hospitals across the country have sped up their program of fortifying themselves. Concrete walls are being thickened, and special coating is being placed on windows to keep them from shattering.

The Iron Dome, ground to air missile batteries, have been almost entirely effective so far. And plans for the program to be expanded, with more batteries brought into being.

Normally such attacks out of Gaza are the work of Hamas. Until now it seemed that Gaza was controlled almost entirely by Hamas, but these attacks have made it clear that Hamas no longer has the power it once had. Hamas has in fact ordered multiple cease fires and attempted to reach a truce with Israel, but the militants have continued to ignore them. They have even now ignored an Egyptian brokered truce as well. Islamic Jihad, which is heavily supported by Iran, is thought to be running the show now.

This has led to the Israeli Defense Force to begin discussing sending ground troops in, so that the rain of terror can be stopped. IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai stated, "The IDF is prepared for any development, including a situation where we are forced to launch a ground operation. We have everything we need and are ready to step it up if needed. There are many measures that we haven't employed yet. There is no effective control in Gaza, and no clear distinction between the political and military wings of Hamas… we are prepared to turn it up a notch."