Why it matters: Israel launched an air campaign against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip on May 9.
The big picture: Israel said the operation was aimed at preventing PIJ from launching more rockets and restoring deterrence against both PIJ and Hamas, the de facto ruler of Gaza. Israel also targeted only military sites and minimized civilian casualties.
The operation lasted for five days, during which more than 1,000 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, injuring seven people and killing one Palestinian worker.
The operation ended with a ceasefire brokered by Egypt on May 13, but tensions remain high.
By the numbers:
- According to the IDF, 40 aircraft carried out the initial strikes on May 9, hitting three locations in Gaza within seconds of each other. The IDF said it killed three PIJ leaders who were responsible for planning and executing rocket attacks on Israel.[6]
- According to the IDF, more than 1,000 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel during the operation, of which about 90% were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. The IDF said that four rockets misfired and landed inside Gaza, killing civilians.[1]
- According to Eurovision Song Contest organizers, Israeli singer Noa Kirel had to perform her song “Alive” in a pre-recorded video due to the rocket fire from Gaza. Kirel qualified for the grand final on May 13.[6]
What they’re saying:
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the operation as a success and said it established a “new equation” against the Gaza militants. He also thanked the US and other countries for their support and condemned the “hypocrisy” of those who criticized Israel’s actions.
- PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah said the operation was a “failure” for Israel and that his group had “defended its people and its land”. He also warned that any future Israeli aggression would be met with a “stronger response”.
- The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper, published an opinion piece arguing that the operation was “just more of the same” and that it did not change the status quo or address the root causes of the conflict. The piece also suggested that the operation was motivated by domestic politics and Netanyahu’s legal troubles.
- MSN News, a global news platform, published an article providing a historical overview of Israel’s previous operations in Gaza and their consequences for the security situation and the peace process. The article also highlighted the challenges of reaching a lasting solution to the conflict.
What’s next: The ceasefire is fragile and could be broken by any provocation or escalation. Both sides have said they are ready to resume hostilities if necessary.
Dig Deeper:
- 2023 Gaza–Israel clashes – Wikipedia
- Shield and Arrow: Israel’s latest Gaza op is just more of the same – opinion – The Jerusalem Post
- Operation Shield and Arrow: Israel’s Gaza ops are curse and blessing – MSN News
- Operation Shield and Arrow: We have ‘stake’ in Gaza op. – Ben-Gvir – The Jerusalem Post
- Daily Briefing May 9: What we know about IDF’s surprise Operation Shield and Arrow | The Times of Israel
- After Action Report – Operation Shield And Arrow In The Gaza Strip – ICAN Action
