Today was the twenty-third day of Operation Protective Edge and the twelfth day of ground operations in Gaza.
Three soldiers were killed today when they attempted to secure a booby-trapped building and it was detonated and collapsed on them. The death toll for IDF soldiers now stands at 57.
Two Maglan unit casualties: Stf. Sgt Matan Gotlib, 21, Rishon LeZion and
Stf. Sgt Omer Hay, 21, Savyon. May their memory be a blessing. #IDF— The Jewish Standard (@JewishStandard) July 30, 2014
The third soldier killed in combat in Gaza earlier today was Staff Sgt. Guy Algranati, 20. May his memory be blessed.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 30, 2014
In The Tower today, Turkey and Qatar were reported to be undermining the Egyptian ceasefire efforts. In a conference call arranged by The Israel Project, Udi Segal, chief diplomatic correspondent for Israel’s Channel 2, said that an Egyptian plan may involve putting the Palestinian Authority in charge of securing Gaza’s borders. The Israel Project publishes The Tower.
Smart, smart, @ddknyt on Arab leaders viewing Hamas as worse than Israel, via @nytimes "Silence is deafening" http://t.co/WoeKAETLts
— Jodi Rudoren (@rudoren) July 30, 2014
An Italian journalist, Gabriel Barbati, confirmed the IDF’s contention that the explosion that killed ten people Monday at the Al Shati refugee camp was the result of an errant Hamas rocket. Barbati also noted that Hamas fighters cleared the scene of debris to conceal their responsibility for the attack.
SHARE THIS: #Hamas sacrifices #Gaza for its extremism
"The blood of the Shahids is the fuel of our victory" pic.twitter.com/FBEqak3yr7— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 29, 2014
Leading Hamas terrorist Mohammad Deif is refusing to call a ceasefire. Despite the loss of hundreds of fighters, Deif, in remarks broadcast on Hamas’ Al Aqsa Television, said that he will not agree to a ceasefire until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza. He also boasted, “The IDF stands before united factions and soldiers who yearn for death.”
Fantastic interview by Amb. Taub @IsraelinUK against @jonsnowC4, finally putting him in his place. http://t.co/EpmVx0uk9H. #Israel #Gaza
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) July 30, 2014
Gaza-based terrorists issued a call to the Lebanon-based terrorist organization Hezbollah to join them in their fight against Israel. Both terror groups benefit from Iranian sponsorship. Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk said, “We hope the Lebanese front will open and together we will fight against this formation [Israel]. There’s no arguing that Lebanese resistance could mean a lot.”
How many more stored rockets & booby trapped @UNRWA clinics in #Gaza will it take before @UN does something about it? @ChrisGunness #Israel
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) July 30, 2014
Three IDF soldiers were killed when a booby-trapped UNRWA health clinic exploded and collapsed on them. The elite Maglan unit had uncovered a terror tunnel that opened into the clinic. After the explosion, the unit came under fire from Hamas terrorists. The operation of terrorists in and near the clinic shows the disregard Hamas has for the neutrality of United Nations facilities. It also raises questions about whether UNRWA cooperates with Hamas.
Head of Human Rights Watch, @KenRoth Endorses Terror Attacks on #Israel http://t.co/e8caM0Pcuc #HumanRightsWreck
— UK Media Watch (@UKMediaWatch) July 30, 2014
French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy observed in The Wall Street Journal today that “[b]luntly anti-Semitic slogans have marred most European demonstrations in support of the people of Gaza.” His concern is that well meaning advocates for two states will “be manipulated by those whose motive is not solidarity but hate.”
[Photo: idfnadesk / YouTube ]