Special Cable:

The American media is referring to Israel's new military campaign as "Operation Protective Edge."

In Hebrew, this campaign is really called: "Operation Tsook Eitan."

Tsook = a strong, enduring, mountain face

Eitan= immovable strength

WE AGREE!!!!

	SPECIAL CABLE: OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE

SPECIAL CABLE: OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE

This is a special edition cable because Israel is in need of support for its right to self defense. More than a million Israelis have been living under fire for years. Israel has entered a defined military operation in its effort to protect civilians along the Israel-Gaza border. Attacks on Israeli towns and communities continue as you read this message. Moments ago, a rocket fired by terrorists in Gaza towards Tel Aviv was intercepted by Iron Dome. Terrorists also attempted to infiltrate by sea in Zikim.

Over the past three weeks, the Hamas terror organization has escalated its attack on Israeli civilians launching more than 200 rockets at the towns on our southern border, putting millions of Israeli lives at risk. Israeli families have been forced into shelters, their kids kept from their summer camps, and schools closed. All normal daily activities have been impacted. This is unacceptable.

Israel called on Hamas repeatedly to stop its war crime tactics and they answered with more rocket attacks. Yesterday, terrorists in Gaza launched 80 rockets towards Israel. Therefore, Israel launched last night an operation of self defense to counter these incessant attacks. The sole aim of the mission is to defend our citizens and to secure for them a life without constant threat. We are not interested in further escalation, but will do whatever is needed to defend our citizens. All options are on the table.

Hamas is a terror organization motivated by the most radical ideology, including a charter that calls for the murder of all Jews. Hamas leadership celebrated the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teens, and called for more kidnappings. Hamas is responsible for 80 suicide bombers that have killed nearly 1,000 Israeli civilians. Hamas has been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Japan and Egypt

In Gaza, Hamas is violating international law and engaging in war crimes as their militants launch rockets indiscriminately at civilians from civilian areas, and hide in civilian infrastructures including mosques, schools and hospitals. They purposefully put innocent Palestinians at risk to safeguard themselves.

Israel recognizes these war crimes and is operating with the utmost care to avoid civilian casualties. We are focused on targeting Hamas and other terror organizations, their operatives and infrastructure. Israel is giving repeated warnings to civilians to vacate areas they are about to target, and using pinpoint technologies to hit only the targeted infrastructure.

We appreciate the ongoing support from the United States for Israel's right to self defense. The Iron Dome missile defense system is deployed in the south and has stopped most of the rockets fired towards Israel's populated areas.