Operation Pillar of Defense

February 5, 2013

Israel conducted approximately 1,500 precision strikes involving the navy, army, and air force. Two-thirds of those strikes targeted underground rocket launchers and missile launching sites.

Israel’s battle was complicated by Hamas’ use of “human shields.” This strategy involved fighters doing battle while wearing civilian clothing. Attacks were launched from heavily populated civilian areas. Israel attempted to minimize non-combatant casualties through good information, precision strikes, and issuing warnings to non-combatants through pamphlet drops and phone calls.

In Hebrew the term Operation Pillar of Defense is the same as the biblical description of the biblical “pillar of fire by night and cloud by day,” with which Almighty God provided direction to the Israelites in the desert. May Israel continue to look to the Almighty for direction and protection.

Source: Compiled by Chris Eden, BFP National Director, South Africa

Photo Credit: Israel Defense Forces