Operation "Pillar of Cloud" - Gaza Aftermath
Gaza Strip, November 2012
Gaza Strip, November 2012
Since the end of Operation “Cast Lead” in January 2009, Operation “Pillar of Cloud” was the largest period of cross-border violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip, in terms of duration, in terms of projectiles fired and in terms of victims.
The Operation began with the targeted killing of Al Qassam leader , Ahmad al Jaabari, the highest ranking Hamas-affiliated official to be killed since Operation “Cast Lead”. After 8 days of nearly continuous cross-border violence, a ceasefire agreement was successfully brokered by the Egyptians on 21 November 2012.
Even if Israel declared to have made a surgical operation hitting only terrorist targets, during these 8 days of war, more than 158 palestinians have been killed, of these, 103 were civilians including at least 30 children.
After the ceasefire Gaza declared the conflict a triumph for a new and powerful Arab world led by Egypt.