Hamas v. Israel: Operation Pillar of Defense

Hamas v. Israel: Operation Pillar of Defense

On November 14, 2012, Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense in response to a barrage of more than 150 rockets fired into Israel by Gaza-based terrorist organizations in one day. Israel’s primary goal for the operation was to decrease the number of rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.

The operation began with the elimination of the head of Hamas’s military branch in Gaza, Ahmed Jabari. During the eight days of the operation, Israel targeted more than 1,500 terrorist sites, including major command and control headquarters and Hamas bases.

Meanwhile, terrorist groups fired more than 1,500 rockets into Israel, reaching into Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the first time. Six Israeli civilians were killed, and more than 200 others were wounded from these rockets. Many more civilians had to be treated for anxiety following the attacks. Hours before a cease-fire, an Arab-Israeli detonated a bus bomb, wounding 28.

Nonetheless, Israel managed to significantly damage the launching capabilities and missile arsenals of terrorist organizations in Gaza. A cease-fire was reached after days of negotiations, eight days later.

Today, after Hamas’s vicious massacre of innocents on October 7, the Jewish state is making every effort to dismantle and destroy the terrorist organization once and for all.