Unclassified // FOUO The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 1 Increased Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip OVERVIEW OF AUGUST EVENTS

Unclassified // FOUO Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip August The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 2 LAF Forces IDF Forces From the time of the initial attacks on 18 August, heavy rocket and mortar fire has been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory almost on a daily basis. Over 200 rockets, missiles and mortars have been fired at Israeli territory in the direction of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Be’er Sheva and near populated areas along the Gaza Strip. The projectiles were deliberately launched at civilian settlements, hitting schools, residences and places of worship. Since 18 August, the Iron Dome defense system has successfully neutralized 34 rockets after it was determined they would hit densely populated areas. On 22 August, Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip announced a de-facto ceasefire. However, since that time, rocket and mortar fire has continued. On 24 August, following the firing of three rockets at Israel since the announcement of the ‘ceasefire’, the IAF initiated a pinpoint strike targeting Ismail Zadi Asmar. Asmar was a known terrorist and weapons smuggler affiliated with the ‘Palestinian Islamic Jihad’ organization. The strike was carried out after it was revealed that Asmar sought to execute terrorist attacks in the Sinai Peninsula. Rocket and mortar fire resurged after the strike and is still ongoing. 40 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israeli territory since the ‘ceasefire’, with one rocket injuring a baby in the Israeli town of Ofaqim.

Unclassified // FOUO Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip August The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 3 LAF Forces IDF Forces

Unclassified // FOUO Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip August The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 4 LAF Forces IDF Forces 22 August- Hamas Ceasefire Announcement

Unclassified // FOUO Rocket and Mortar Fire from the Gaza Strip- Yearly The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 5 LAF Forces IDF Forces IDF Operation “Cast Lead”

Unclassified // FOUO Gaza Strip Rocket Ranges The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 6 LAF Forces IDF Forces 3.5 million Israelis within range Jerusalem Tel Aviv Mortars – (60mm, 81mm, 120mm and improvised) mi / 3-10 km Improvised rockets (90mm, 115mm, 168mm) mi / 6-20 km [5- 15 kg payload] 122mm (Russian, Chinese and Iranian) 13 mi / 21 km [20 kg payload] Fajr-5 46 mi / 74km [175kg payload]

Unclassified // FOUO The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 7 KilledInjured 1 TotalSeriouslyModeratelyLightly Result of Rocket and Mortar Fire *Data does not include Israeli civilians treated for shock

Unclassified // FOUO The Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces 8 Israel’s Response in the Gaza Strip Number of Pinpoint Strikes in the Gaza Strip: 18 August – 25 August