The Israel-Gaza ceasefire held up remarkably well last month, as the Israel Security Agency (ISA) reported in their monthly summary of terrorist attacks that zero Gaza rockets were launched at Israel during all of December. The quiet follows Israel’s “Operation Pillar of Defense” bombing campaign that struck hard at Gaza’s terrorism infrastructure and leadership in an effort to curb attacks.
December 2012 contrasts sharply with November, in which more than 1,700 rockets were fired at Israel, including 1,000 during Israel’s week-long bombing operation. The only Gaza attack recorded by the ISA during December is the launching of two mortar shells in a single incident.
In November alone, 83 mortar shells were fired in addition to the 1,734 rockets—combining for 633 separate incidents. In October, 116 rockets and 55 mortar shells were fired at Israel in 92 different attacks.
The Egyptian-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Gaza has also led to an increase in the items allowed into Gaza by Israel, including construction materials for the private sector. Previously only construction items for internationally-sponsored projects were allowed.
Israel has said that restrictions on Gaza—in place primarily to prevent the smuggling of weapons and terrorists in and out of the Strip—could be eased further if the calm continues.
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, January 7, 2013)