Operation Operation ““Summer RainsSummer Rains””

27-30.6.0627-30.6.06

Chain of EventsChain of Events27.6.06

• 23:55 - First IAF air strike against a bridge in the central Gaza strip. Strikes of this nature are meant to prevent the terrorists from moving CPL Gilad Shalit to different places within the Gaza strip.

28.6.06

• 00:51 -Second IAF strike against a bridge along the Gaza coastline.

• 01:35 - IAF strikes Gaza power station

CPL Gilad Shalit

• 02:20 - IAF strikes third bridge in the central Gaza Strip.

• 02:48 - IDF ground forces enter the town of Dahaniyeh and are deployed in the international airport in order to prevent attempts to transfer the hostage to Sinai.

• 13:35 - Two IAF strikes against rocket launching sites in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

• 14:15- Two IAF strikes in open areas in the southern part of the Gaza strip.

• 15:00 - Two IAF strikes in the central part of the Gaza Strip

Chain of EventsChain of Events

• 16:25 - Two additional IAF strikes in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

• 23:45 - IAF strike ammunition warehouse in the Khan Yunis area.

29.6.06

• 01:30 – IAF strikes four access routes in the Khan Yunis area.

• 03:20 – IAF strike three access routes in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

• 04:20 –IAF strike ammunition warehouse in the Khan Yunis area

Chain of EventsChain of Events

• 10:10- Two IAF strike open area near Khan Yunis.

• 22:45- IAF strikes five access routes in the Nuserat area.

30.6.06

• 00:10- IAF strikes three access routes in the Beit Hanun area.

• 00:45- IAF strike two access routes in the remains of the Dugit settlement.

• 01:45- IAF strike five terrorist training bases and offices (Fatah, Hamas)

Chain of EventsChain of Events

• 03:15- IAF strike three access routes in the remains of the Dugit settlement.

• 03:35- IAF strike access route in the Beit Lahiya area.• 03:55- IAF strike access route in the Jabaliya area.• 04:35- Five IAF strikes in an open area near Khan Yunis.

Chain of EventsChain of Events

Beit Hanun

Open Areas

June 28th _

June 29th –

June 30th -

IDF Attacks in the Gaza IDF Attacks in the Gaza StripStrip

Jabaliya

Gaza

Sderot

Beit Lahiya

Dugit

Open Areas

BridgesPower Station

Nuserat

Khan Yunis

June 27th -

June 28th -

June 29th –

June 30th -

IDF Attacks in IDF Attacks in the Gaza Stripthe Gaza Strip

Comments

• Operation “Summer Rains” is a limited military operation. The IDF has no intention whatsoever of establishing a permanent presence in the Gaza Strip.

• In order to prevent further escalation of the situation as well as preventing unnecessary hardships to the Palestinian civilian population, Israel showed extreme restraint in allowing time for diplomatic pressure upon the Hamas government to bring about the safe return of the Israeli hostage.

• It was only after these diplomatic channels were exhausted and failed to bring about the release that the IDF was forced to take action.

Comments (Cont.)

• Any collateral damage that may be suffered by the Palestinian population is the sole responsibility of the Hamas government for not having cooperated with the diplomatic efforts.

• Hamas attempts to distance itself from those who directly carried out the attack is an attempt at deflecting international pressure and accountability. The Hamas government alone is responsible for the safe return of the Israeli hostage.

• Within this context, it should also be reminded that the terrorist attack which took place on Sunday came against the backdrop of weeks of Kassam fire upon Israeli towns and cities, as well as Hamas’ own declaration that it would no longer respect the Tahadiya and would resume its attacks against Israel.

Comments (Cont.)

• The Palestinians who were arrested in Judea and Samaria over the last two day were arrested for their involvement in terrorist activities. They will each be brought before a court and offered a fair hearing in order to determine their guilt. Those who will be found guilty will be sentenced and imprisoned while those who are found innocent will be released from custody. These terrorist suspects were NOT arrested for the purpose of using them as "bargaining chips" for the release of our kidnapped hostage, Gilad Shavit.