After more than 1200 rockets fired at Israel, ceasefire to start at 10 pm
Gazans suffer as hundreds of PIJ rockets fell in Gaza, the Erez crossing to Gaza was also hit
===== Update at 9:39 p.m. Israel time =====
Israeli media reports a ceasefire could start at 10 p.m. Israel time based on a proposal by the Egyptian mission in Gaza.
As of 9:30 p.m. the IDF reported rocket fire towards Israel in the settlements around Gaza..
Despite a brief lull Saturday morning, rocket fire into Israel resumed in the afternoon.
The Israel Defense Forces also resumed targeted airstrikes, focusing on the operational headquarters of Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket unit operatives.
The IDF released a statement Saturday evening saying it “continues to strike additional targets belonging to the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.”
In the afternoon airstrike, IDF aircraft hit six operational command posts utilized by members of the rocket unit within the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said one command post was responsible for planning and controlling rocket fire towards Israel, and was actively involved during Operation “Guardian of the Walls” [2021] and Operation “Breaking Dawn” [2022].
Overnight, the IDF also attacked several PIJ targets in the Gaza Strip, including the operational headquarters of senior members of the terrorist organization. Following the strikes, an Islamic Jihad spokesman said, “There is still no agreement on a ceasefire, talks on the issue with Egyptian mediation are continuing.”
The IDF said that night airstrikes minimize civilian casualties.
During the rocket barrage on Saturday, a Palestinian worker from Gaza was struck and killed by shrapnel from a rocket launched from Gaza. His brother and another Gazan, who were working with him, were also injured. The three were taken to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva for treatment, where Abdullah Abu Jaba, a 35-year-old father of six, died from his injuries.
Palestinian terror groups also launched a mortar attack on the Erez crossing used by Palestinian workers with Israeli work permits to enter Israel. The crossing is also used to transmit goods and medical aid to Gazans.
WATCH: Islamic Jihad once again puts civilians at risk by launching rockets at the Erez Crossing.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 13, 2023
Thousands of Gazans cross into Israel daily for work through the Erez Crossing.
By shooting at the crossing and continuing to attack Israel, Islamic Jihad prevents Gazans from… pic.twitter.com/cC8Jfxgb56
The IDF reported that as of 4 p.m. on Saturday, Palestinian terror groups in the Gaza Strip had launched 1,234 rockets and mortars at Israel since the beginning of Operation "Shield and Arrow" on Tuesday.
976 of the projectiles crossed the border, while 221 fell short in Gaza. The IDF said that 373 rockets were intercepted by air defense systems.
National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi said at an event Saturday, “We are not negotiating a ceasefire - we are dealing with fire at the moment.”
Hanegbi also said the IDF had made “an unprecedented achievement, beheading the entire leadership of the organization within seconds.” He said that targeted killings would continue as long as PIJ continues to fire rockets.
Hanegbi also referred to Egyptian mediation efforts. “The Egyptians always try, as usual. They want an end to the violence and de-escalation. This also in our interest.”
Referring to the reported PIJ demand that Israel stop targeted killings as a condition of the ceasefire, he said, “We will certainly not commit to stop the targeted killings.”
He said that Israel is willing to stop airstrikes when PIJ stops firing. “Our objective is, 'quiet will be answered quietly,’” he said.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.