The Times of Israel is liveblogging Sunday’s events as they unfold.
Rocket sirens sound near Jerusalem for 1st time since start of Gaza operation
Incoming rocket sirens are sounding in communities on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
There are initial reports of Iron Dome interceptions over the area.
Several Iron Dome interceptions in the outskirts of Jerusalem. (Pics: בט"ש וחירום) pic.twitter.com/pn6OM5opQ2
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) August 7, 2022
A barrage was fired at communities close to the Gaza border simultaneously.
There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries in either location.
The rocket fire close to Jerusalem comes amid high tensions in the capital, with police deployed in force, and particularly in the area of the Old City and the Temple Mount, to secure services of the Tisha B’Av fast day amid the flare-up in Gaza.
Hamas health officials say 32 killed, 215 wounded in Gaza violence
The death toll from the latest violence in the Gaza Strip has risen to 32, including six children, Hamas health authorities say.
Israel has denied responsibility for the deaths of four children in the Jabaliya refugee last night, saying the deadly explosion was caused by a rocket launched by Palestinian terror operatives that misfired.
The Hamas-run health ministry says 215 people have been wounded in Gaza since the start of Operation Breaking Dawn on Friday afternoon.
The Gazan officials do not say how many of the total killed were affiliated with terror groups.
The Israel Defense Forces says a number of operatives from Palestinian Islamic Jihad are among those killed in the multiple waves of strikes which have been targeting positions and facilities belonging to the terror group in the Gaza Strip.
Terrorists have fired over 580 rockets toward Israel since Friday, the Israel Defense Forces say.
IDF publishes footage of strike that killed 2nd Islamic Jihad commander
The Israel Defense Forces publishes a video showing last night’s airstrike in the Gazan city of Rafah, which killed Khaled Mansour, the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Gaza.
The IDF says Mansour was killed along with two other senior PIJ operatives: The commander of the terror group’s Rafah Brigade, Khattab Amassi, and Mansour’s deputy, Ziad Madalal.
IDF publishes a video showing the airstrike that killed Khaled Mansour, the PIJ leader of southern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/TwqIU7V1N6
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) August 7, 2022
IDF: 20 Palestinians affiliated with Islamic Jihad detained in overnight West Bank raids
The Israel Defense Forces says troops detained 20 Palestinians affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group during overnight raids in the West Bank.
In a statement, the IDF says the arrests were made in the city of Jenin, the Tulkarm refugee camp, and other smaller towns across the West Bank.
The IDF says troops responded with riot dispersal means after dozens of Palestinians hurled stones and explosive devices at them, at a number of locations.
IDF says it hit Islamic Jihad ‘attack tunnel’ in Gaza, has struck 140 terror targets
The Israeli Air Force struck a Palestinian Islamic Jihad “attack tunnel” in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of the morning, the Israel Defense Forces says.
The tunnel did not cross into Israeli territory, according to the IDF.
Military spokesperson Ran Kochav tells reporters that the IDF has struck some 140 PIJ targets across the Gaza Strip since the beginning of Operation Breaking Dawn.
The targets include the tunnel, dozens of observation posts and military sites, several rocket launching positions, and eight terror squads en route to committing an attack, he says.
Video of the PIJ tunnel struck by the IDF this morning pic.twitter.com/SUZFtKsaIe
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) August 7, 2022
Rocket sirens blare in southern Israel after 5-hour lull
After a lull of about five hours, rocket sirens blare in two southern Israel communities close to the Gaza border.
The alarms sound in Kissufim and Ein HaShlosha.
There are no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
IDF says 580 rockets fired at Israel from Gaza since Friday; Iron Dome has 97% success rate
The latest Israel Defense Forces data put the number of rockets and mortars launched toward Israel by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group since Friday at 580.
The Iron Dome air defense system has intercepted some 200 projectiles, according to the data.
The military says the Iron Dome missile defense system has demonstrated a 97 percent success rate at intercepting projectiles fired toward populated areas.
Magen David Adom says it has taken 28 to hospital since start of Operation Breaking Dawn
The Magen David Adom emergency service says it has taken 28 people to hospital for injuries as a result of Operation Breaking Dawn, which began Friday afternoon.
Two of the injured were lightly hurt by shrapnel and 19 were wounded as they ran for shelter.
In addition, seven people were taken to hospital for treatment for anxiety.
Magen David Adom said numerous others were treated on the scene and did not require transportation to hospital.
There are no official figures for the total number of people in Israel who have required medical treatment since the start of the operation.
6 injured as explosion hits Netanya apartment; cause unclear
Six people, including a baby, are rescued from an apartment in Netanya after being trapped following an explosion that caused walls to collapse.
All six people are injured, one of them seriously, and are given medical treatment.
Rescue forces continue to search the residence for more people, and begin investigating the cause of the blast.
Hundreds of Jews wait outside Temple Mount ahead of Tisha B’Av visits
Police are reportedly preparing for many hundreds or even thousands of Jews visiting Jerusalem’s Temple Mount today, marking the fast day of Tisha B’Av which commemorates the destruction of the temples.
Hundreds are outside the holy site, waiting for the visitation hours for non-Muslims to begin.
מאות יהודים ממתינים לפתיחתו של הר הבית. pic.twitter.com/mo1Q7iwrda
— נועם לר???? (@noam_ler) August 7, 2022
Among those planning to visit is far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir.
Palestinian media reports that Israeli police forces have been denying entry to young males, only allowing older men to pass.
Palestinian media: 7 injured in Israeli strikes near Rafah
Palestinian media reports that seven people have been injured in recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
The reports say the wounded people have been taken to Al-Najjar hospital following the strikes on a “residential home” east of Rafah.
Islamic Jihad confirms death of its southern Gaza chief
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization confirms the death of its southern Gaza commander, Khaled Mansour, in an Israeli airstrike last night.
Palestinian reports: Israeli strikes kill commander of PIJ’s missile unit
Palestinian media outlets report that the commander of the Al-Quds Brigades’ missile unit, Raafat al-Zamili, has been “martyred” in Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.
The Al-Quds Brigades are the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group.
There is no immediate comment from Israel or confirmation from official Palestinian sources.
Israel launches fresh strikes on PIJ targets in Gaza — IDF
The Israel Defense Forces says it is launching strikes in the Gaza Strip.
In an English-language tweet, the military identifies the targets as alleged terror tunnels used by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group.
The IDF is currently striking Islamic Jihad terrorist organization tunnels in the Gaza Strip.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 7, 2022