On May 2nd, 2023, Islamic Jihad launched over 21 rockets from Gaza toward Israel early in the morning. Later on in the day, more sirens sounded in southern Israel and continued late into the night and the next day.
One week later, on May 9, 2023, the IDF launched Operation “Shield and Arrow”. We targeted three Islamic Jihad senior operatives. The operatives were responsible for launching rockets toward Israel over the last month and were planning future terrorist attacks against Israelis.
Since the beginning of the operation, the IDF targeted additional 3 senior operatives of Islamic Jihad who were all involved in the attacks against Israel and its civilians.
During the five-day operation, a total of 1,469 rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel, with 1,139 rockets crossing into Israeli territory. 291 of those rockets misfired and landed in Gaza. One in every five rockets intended to endanger Israeli civilians misfired and endangered Gazan civilians instead.
Aiding in the defense efforts, the Iron Dome intercepted 437 rockets, equalling a 95.6% success rate.
In total, one Israeli woman and one Gazan, who was working in Israel, were killed. Additionally, 9 Israeli civilians and one Gazan (brother of the killed Gazan), who was working in Israel, was injured.
Operation Shield and Arrow lasted 116 hours and a ceasefire was put in place on May 13, 2023.
Hashem Yishmor.
