Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that rockets fired into Israel will not be tolerated. In his statement on Thursday, August 22, he said, "Our policy is clear—to defend as well as to thwart. Anyone who harms us should know, and anyone who tries to harm us should know—we will harm them back."
Four rockets fired into Israel territory Thursday caused air raid sirens to sound in the Galilee area for the first time since the Second Lebanon War. The Iron Dome that is to protect the northern part of Israel intercepted one of the rockets, but failed to stop two rockets that hit inside communities. The IAF is investigating why the Iron Dome did not intercept them.
One of the rockets landed in Kibbutz Gesher HaZiv and the other in Moshav Shavei Zion. Both communities are in the western Galilee area.
No one was injured directly in the attack, but there was property damage. A kitchen in an inn for Holocaust survivors was hit. Ynet news reports that “GOC Northern Command Major General Yair Golan arrived at Shavei Zion and talked with the Holocaust survivors. Several of the survivors told Golan: ‘Perhaps on the radio there is panic, but we are calm and in control. We've seen worst.’”
Three people were treated for shock and taken to Nahariya Hospital along with a teenage girl who suffered head injuries when she fell while running for shelter.
In retaliation to the attack, an IDF spokesman says that the Air Force carried out a direct hit on a “terrorist” target at a site south of Beirut. News agencies are reporting that the target hit was an area of tunnels that were thought to be the launching pads for the rockets.
According to the IDF, Israel is holding the Lebanese government responsible for the attacks, while at the same time, Lebanon is condemning the rockets fired at Israel and blames it on in-fighting between Hezbollah and several Al-Quaida groups in Lebanon.
Ynet News reported that “The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command of Ahmed Jibril issued a statement following the IDF attack on the organization's south Lebanon base, ‘The response will not be in the way that the Zionist enemy wants to drag us into, but in the right place and at the right time.’"
Because of the missile attacks, Israel has decided to suspend air traffic in the northern part of the country. Haifa Airport will remain closed until Sunday.
Prayer Focus
Pray that God will keep all of Israel under His protective dome. Pray for calm and peace for Israel as they fortify their country.
Scripture
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.- Psalm 61:1–3
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