IDF in grinding air operation: 50 targets in two hours • Clinton: campaign has widespread support

Deadly day in the Gaza Strip surroundings. Yesterday at around 14:00 pm a mortar shell exploded in one of the kibbutzim around Gaza and hit a building. A young soldier was killed as well as a civilian. Two were lightly wounded.

The deceased is Yosef Partok hy"d, 18, a resident of Emanuel. Also killed is a civilian employee of the Defense Ministry, Nabari Salem Alnabari, 30 year-old Beduin resident of settlement Ajoan south of Rahat.

Due to the continued fighting and the denial of statements about the cease-fire, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived for a visit in Israel.

Clinton said that the United States is committed to Israel's security and one has to moderate the conflict in Gaza.

"The missile attack on civilians must end," she said, "Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has a crucial role as a regional leader, President Obama stressed that in his talks with him and I will pass this message tomorrow in Cairo."

U.S. Secretary praised the performance of the Iron Dome system: "I am very pleased that the defense performs well, our partnership development emphasizes our commitment to Israel and its right to defend itself". Clinton noted at the end of her words that "there is no substitute for negotiations, and that peace will not come without security."

Senior Hamas political bureau member of the organization, Izat A - Rishq, published an announcement this evening according to which a cease-fire agreement has not yet been reached. However, ceasefire may be declared tomorrow.

The IDF Air Force bombed four smuggling tunnels in Rafah which served for smuggling fuel. Yesterday, over two hours, the IDF attacked 50 targets in Gaza. During the day 20 militants who were busy launching rockets and missiles, were killed.

So far the Ministry of Health in Gaza counted 132 dead, including two journalists from Al-Aqsa channel, and 1090 wounded.

Meanwhile, the South continues to suffer considerably. More than 160 rockets were fired into Israel yesterday. 50 rockets were intercepted.

• In the morning, around 7:35, a rocket fired towards Be'er Sheva was intercepted.

• Soon after, at 8:03, 16 rockets were fired at Be'er Sheva. Iron Dome system intercepted eight, and three rockets hit the city in three ways: an empty parked car, a hit close to a passenger bus whose passengers came out the bus upon hearing the alarm, and a direct hit in an empty house, causing serious damage. Tenants were in the protected space. Magen David Adom paramedics treated a patient in a light condition and a number of shock victims. A hit was also reported in Ofakim.

• At 10:22 a further fall in Beersheba was recorded in a home yard, no casualties were reported. Damage was caused.

During the same hours rockets were fired at Eshkol Council area. One of the rockets landed in populated areas, and a reserve officer, aged 45, was injured by shrapnel in his back and was seriously wounded. He was taken by helicopter to the Tel Hashomer hospital, when he is sedated and on a respirator and his condition is severe. At the hospital his condition improved, and his condition is now defined moderate.

• Shortly after 13:00, there was a direct hit in Netivot, with the grace of Heaven the event ended with damage alone.

• Batteries of Iron Dome successfully carried out interceptions of rockets over Ashdod and Ashkelon. The military wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the fire at Be'er Sheva.

• At about 18:00pm, a rocket hit a building in Rishon Lezion: there are two lightly injured and there is fear of the collapse of the structure. HFC engineers removed the damaged building occupants and the adjacent building, and are currently testing their stability. Considerable damage was done to other buildings and vehicles parked on the street. A senior IDF official says that the tenants were saved only because they obeyed instructions of the HFC. He said, "You can not rely on Iron Dome, it does not provide hermetic protection".

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!