On our own: UN and Obama demand from Israel - cease-fire without preconditions

The 21st day of Operation Solid Rock opened relatively quietly: IDF forces attacked 40 terrorist targets over the last day, and destroyed two tunnels. 32 tunnels have been located, and 17 of them have been treated and blown up. Meanwhile, after expressing unqualified support for Israel since the operation began, yesterday (Monday) President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and asked him to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire immediately.

After a completely quiet night free of rockets or Israeli Air Force attacks, this morning an alarm was activated in Ashkelon, after a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip. With the grace of Heaven the rocket exploded in an open area, causing no casualties or damage. A short while ago, the IDF fired shells at Beit Lahia, from which the rocket was fired.

The UN Security Council agreed on the wording of a statement calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with no preconditions - as demanded by Obama in his conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement will be officially declared during the Council meeting this morning. According to the version that came to AP, it will call both on Hamas and on Israel to maintain the ceasefire during the Eid al - Fiter holiday and thereafter.

The Cabinet met yesterday to discuss whether to continue and deepen the operation or agree to a ceasefire at this point, it has not yet received a decision. Against this backdrop, President Obama spoke with Prime Minister and expressed to him his demand for an immediate ceasefire.




With a helmet on his head and binoculars on his neck, the Chief of Staff this morning with forces on the ground.

At the same time, Obama emphasized to Netanyahu that the U.S. strongly condemns Hamas' rockets and attacks it performs against Israel through tunnels and stressed Israel's right to defend itself.

Obama emphasized the strategic necessity of the establishment of a humanitarian ceasefire immediately and unconditionally, which will end the current round of fighting and will be based on the cease-fire agreement after the end of Operation Pillar of Cloud in November 2012.

Obama added and demanded to reach an immediate ceasefire that would include a long term solution to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, necessitating the dismantling of terrorist organizations and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

Number of Palestinians killed: 1035
"The situation is currently 'remission without conditions", said this morning (Monday) a senior IDF officer. "We are working on the scene, and concentration of effort is on the tunnels. Just yesterday we destroyed two tunnels."

During yesterday 40 targets were attacked. The Chief of Staff estimated that within a short time i.e. a few days, one can complete the task.

Interior Ministry spokesman of Hamas in Gaza said this morning that the relative quiet, is the result of the quiet in the area that is not due to any agreement, and therefore the Gazans should continue to exercise caution. Hamas official told the newspaper A - Sharq Al - Awsat: "The Egyptian initiative actually is no longer under discussion. Whatever course of action on the part of anyone, needs to guarantee the realization of the requirements we have set."

Riots took place tonight as well in East Jerusalem. During the night, 22 rioters were arrested. Some during the disturbances last night and some were involved in riots in recent days.

So far 375 rioters were arrested and 135 charges were filed. "Jerusalem police will continue its determined activities to locate and arrest the rioters and exhaust them to justice."

Health Ministry spokesman in Gaza said that the death toll since the beginning of Operation Solid Rock increased to 1035. According to the report the Palestinian Ma'an news agency, 236 of them are children, 93 women and 47 elderly. According to the Palestinians, there are 6,233 injured, including 1,994 children, 1,169 women and 257 elderly.

130 soldiers hospitalized; Six in serious condition
Beilinson Hospital: 15 soldiers hospitalized, 2 in serious condition, two moderate to serious, and the rest degrees of mild to moderate.

Soroka Hospital: 36 hospitalized soldiers, one in very serious condition, three in critical condition, 14 with moderate wounds. During the night, several soldiers were evacuated to hospital in a light condition, were treated and released. A woman hit by a falling mortar at Nahal Oz had surgery and is now hospitalized in the orthopedic ward in light condition.

At the Sheba Medical Center another lightly wounded arrived tonight. In total there are hospitalized as of this morning 31 soldiers, 12 in fair condition and 19 in light condition.

Over the last 24 hours 73 wounded were rushed to the Barzilai Medical Center. At this time there are 39 soldiers, 28 in light condition and 7 medium. Since the beginning of the operation, Barzilai Hospital treated 821 casualties, 672 suffered injuries and 149 suffered from anxiety.

At Hadassah Hospital there are currently 13 soldiers hospitalized.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!