Dear Friends,

As a follow up to this mornings email, since December 19, 2008, Hamas has launched at Israeli towns and civilians over 250 rockets and mortars including 60 today which killed one and injured five others.

Please find below photo documentation of several Hamas compounds targeted by the IDF today in a self defense measure as well as a statement made by the IDF Spokesman this morning.

The IDF Spokesman made a statement this morning:

Israeli Air Force aircraft, attacked a short while ago, a series of Hamas targets and infrastructure facilities, in the Gaza Strip. All Israeli pilots returned safely to their bases. The IDF will continue its operations against terror in accordance with constant state assessments held be the IDF Chief of General Staff. This operation will be continued, expanded and intensified as much as will be required.

The Air Force activity came as a result of the continuation of terror activity by Hamas terror organization from the Gaza Strip, and the duration of rocket launching and targeting Israeli civilians.

The targets that were attacked were located by intelligence gathered during the last months and include Hamas terror operatives that operated from the organization’ s headquarters, training camps and weaponry storage warehouses.

The Hamas government leaders and operatives, which activate terror from within civilian population centers, are the sole bearers of responsibility for Israel’s military response. This response is crucial for preserving Israel’s security interests.

The IDF Spokesperson wishes to emphasize that anyone sponsoring terror, hosting terror in his house, housing terror in his basement and sending his wives and children to serve as human shields- is considered a terrorist.

The IDF will continue its activity against terror activities according to operational assessments held by the Chief of the General Staff.

The IDF is ready to widen and deepen its activity against all terror organizations in the Gaza Strip, as long as it is necessary.

In addition, the Homefront Command and emergency authorities, took all necessary measures for preparing the civilian population.

For more information and photos please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: