The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section Operation “Pillar of Defense” November 2012

Overview Operation Pillar of Defense (“Pillar of Cloud”) was an eight day Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the Hamas governed Gaza Strip, officially launched on 14 November 2012 with the killing of Ahmed Jabari, chief of the Gaza military wing of Hamas.

The operation began in response to three main events: 1.Terrorist groups launching over 100 rockets at Israeli civilians over a 24 hour period. 2.An attack on an Israeli military patrol jeep within Israeli borders by Gaza militants. 3.A tunnel explosion caused by IED’s near Israeli soldiers on the Israeli side of the fence. Palestinian militants blamed Israel for the upsurge in violence, accusing the IDF of attacks on Gazan civilians in the days leading up to the operation, and citing the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and occupation of West Bank and East Jerusalem, as the reason for rocket attacks.

Aims of the operation 1.To halt the rocket attacks originating from the Gaza Strip. 2.To deter Hamas and the other terrorist organizations from attacking Israel in the future. 3.To destroy Hamas' store of long-range missiles.

Headlines from ‘Haaretz’

Interesting points There has been no Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip since 2005 Since 2001, more than 12,800 rockets and mortars, an average of 3 attacks every single day, have landed in Israel. Israel goes to great lengths to minimize harm to civilians. Israel regrets any injury to civilians and places responsibility squarely on Hamas, which uses the residents of Gaza as human shields.great lengths The Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel into Gaza was open on Nov. 20 for transportation of produce and medical supplies. This despite the ongoing rocket attacks on the crossings. Similarly, Israel continues to supply electricity to Gaza.

Hamas, designated by the United States, the European Union, Canada and Japan as a terrorist organization, has called for the destruction of Israel since Russia, Turkey, Norway and most other world countries do not designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Gaza’s military machine is connected to Iran, which has supplied it with enormous quantities of weapons. Iran provided Hamas with its long-range Fajr 5 rockets, trained most of the terrorists and transferred millions of dollars to fund the terrorist organizations.

Gaza Gaza Strip Han Yunis Rafah Sderot Beer Sheva Ashkelon Ashdod Rehovot Rishon LeZiyon Jerusalem Area Jerusalem Tel Aviv-Jaffa Gazan Qassam Rocket 122mm Grad (Prob. Iranian) Rocket based on Iranian Tech. Iranian-based Rocket 122mm Rocket Fajr-5 (and Gaza-made M-75 missile?) Daily Rocket and Mortar Fire More than half of Israel’s population is in range of Hamas’s rockets

Media usage Hamas displays Jabari's destroyed car, and pictures of injured children to present 'horrible actions of the occupation and its crimes'

The IDF made widespread use of Twitter and a live blog to give an up-to-date account of its operations. The military wing of Hamas also made use of Twitter, publicizing its rocket and mortar attacks and tweeting when Israeli casualties were reported. Foreign Policy magazine labeled this effort a "milestone in military communications." [ [

Understanding Regarding Ceasefire in Gaza Strip 1.a. Israel shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals. b. All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel including rocket attacks, and all attacks along the border. c. Opening the crossings and facilitating the movements of people and transfer of goods, and refraining from restricting residents' free movements, and targeting residents in border areas and procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire. d. Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed. 2. Implementation Mechanism: a. Setting up the zero hour for the Ceasefire Understanding to enter into effect. b. Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon. c. Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt – as the sponsor of this understanding – shall be informed to follow up.