 There in the terror infrastructure Israel Apparently deciding to embark on this operation response to the days of threats last week on southern Israel opposed by Islam a jihad out of Gaza Seeking civilian targets in the other side of the border now three days of road closures last week and Apparently back-channel efforts to get these Lama Jihad to stand down and in the end the sharp message has been delivered here through this ongoing operation and ongoing strikes on Jihad leadership in the Gaza Strip and the countermeasures against the rocket launching squads in the enclave as well Early as recently as this last hour seeing activity still these long jihad Firing somewhere around 600 rockets and motors at this point at the Israeli population centers again just since Friday evening Hamas notably has remained on the sidelines. Here's some of the recap of the weekend's activities I Hamas in Istanbul jihad I say explicitly the all-time is limited the threat will be removed one way or another As we continue our coverage here by lieutenant colonel Richard. Yeah IDF international spokesperson Thanks for joining us, especially in person today I know there's a lot of people calling on you today for comment and you're you're busy and you're also new in the position We want to highlight here. So thank you very much for joining The major way to jump into the issues here But we're hearing the latest from the IDF side right now Officials saying that the objectives have been reached in this campaign. What were those objectives? So we had one very clear objective, which We met two or three days ago, which was preventing an eminent threat. We saw Very vocal voices coming from the Islamic jihadists In Gaza, we saw eminent threats moving towards our the border Threats on our civilians. We took precautions and closed off the Gaza Strip and me right and we had only one Objective was to take away the threat At this point now as activity still going on what are the goals for the IDF in this moment? Is it to find a way out of this fighting or there's still targets going after the IDF is acting on our leadership's Direction and we're ready to defend our civilians as long as the threat is going on We're defending the civilians of Israel. What is the guidance from the government saying at this point? I mean, are you is the idea of getting clear guidance in terms of what to do at this point from the Israeli government? We're getting very clear guidance So you heard our Minister of Defense to be ready for as long as it takes while they're firing where we're acting You can see our activity against the rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip We're using aerial assets to to hum down the rocket launchers. It's a very precise and focused mission Along those lines, I mean, there's some reports are saying there's new tactics being deployed by the IDF right now We're using drone swarms to target quickly rocket launching squads that appear Are there is there something new being done by the idea? So the IDF is always advancing its technology Also in our air defense by the way, we have 97% Intercepting the rockets with iron dome and also hunting down the rocket launchers. It's always improving our intelligence Closing the circles with all our aerial means In terms of back to you know, the government directive at this point saying be ready for as long as it takes What are we talking weeks hours? Where does the idea for pairing at this point? We're ready You heard our Minister last night for as long as it takes if they keep firing will keep defending our civilians Sort of a responsive effort at this point. So if they fire will fire or they're still, you know, aggressive Basic offensive tactics to be deployed by the IDF in this round right now. We're we're defending our civilians as I said before And in terms of preventing civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip Efforts on par with everything anything we've seen before is this IDF one of the top priorities of the idea So again, our fight isn't against the guys and people where we're very focused on protecting Involved lives we're seeing the tragic pictures last night from Jabalia It was in the end of misfire the rocket from the Islamic jihad By the way, 20% of their rockets of it were misfires up to now What does the Islam Jihad do that makes it especially hard for the IDF to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza? They're hiding within and they're acting within their civilian population That's that's our main challenge, but it's it's an old story. It's it's been ongoing, right? Still, this is the tactics they're using here the hiding behind civilians their weapons are embedded in civilian areas, correct Also, we're looking at the Israeli side. We're left wondering again Just how long this is going to go on will it ramp up? Are there reservists being mobilized at this point as well for a wider operation on the ground perhaps so the Reservist you saw the report for about two three days ago The IDF again is ready for any development and again as I said before our focus is Preventive preventive again a repeater again. We're preventing threats We all know Islam Jihad and we've watched this for many months. It's not only in the Gaza Strip in the West Bank They have some major strongholds in the West Bank some of that activity Arguably led to the tensions being raised last week going after leadership there What can you tell us about IDF activity in the West Bank right now against Islam Jihad? So we've been doing for the last few months. We called it counterterrorism activity Which was going ongoing since these treacherous attacks coming I think since March Our focus was on the Janine area. That's the hornet's nest of the Islamic jihad activity And we've been doing operations even last night. We obtained 20 Militants last night. Yes, sir 20 arrested in that area and a last question for you What is Hamas telling the IDF at this point? So we're not talking to Hamas, but what I can tell you is Our assessment is Hamas is really concerned right now on the human humanitarian situation Within the strip as you must well know the the power plants as out of fuel So I think it's not out of their interests for this to escalate But that's our assessment and our government and that's happening in our government There's they're speaking and handling that event is going on in the background How's the IDF looking at or even messaging other players in this region? Maybe it's husband law, maybe it's elements in Syria Iran at this point all looking into this conflict here What's the IDF message to these other enemies? It's the same issues we will defend and act Anywhere any place against people threatening our civilians and the jihadi activity is all the way to Tehran Which he did in the picture now or is there a likely ceasefire in the works today? That's not something that I can talk about. I'm here to talk about the IDF activity David Well, as we know it's been ongoing here every silence as well Lieutenant Colonel Richel, thanks for joining us here and as you step into this position international spokesperson Good job so far keep it up. I know this is a major part arena of the battles that Israel faces here So thank you for joining. Thanks for shedding some light on the situation for us as well We have another break to step out to that one our live rolling coverage here as a gift IDF operation breaking dawn just had our inside here from the spokesperson from the IDF So stay with us. They'll be right back after another break with more analysis Hey, it's you again ready. Let's go One show a whole lot of perspectives. He is part of the problem You want to talk about deep platforming people are losing their lives not just what happened, but why does it matter? I'd like to finish my point. You're the one switching terms. You could be a fantastic CNN reporter Join us every night hdme stern on global on the global conversation starts here Imagine being able to see into the future What innovations will change the world as we know it join us as we meet the people changing our planet And discover the inventions shaping tomorrow Israel business beat Sundays and Wednesdays 9 30 p.m. GMT Organism that pulsates through millennia Touch it listen to it smell it taste it Experience the holy land like never before Holy land uncovered every sunday only on i-24 news We're on the inside of political and religious passions in Jerusalem breaking down the financial trends shaping the global economy Giving you key context not just headlines with the stories from israel that touch the u.s Those across the region with impact far beyond its borders Touch the rundown that the middle east meets the world Back in as we continue our live coverage still day three of operation breaking dawn It's the idf named it here going after the palestinian islamic jihad and the gaza strip and the west bank Which has been going on for much longer than these last three days But we go to our correspondent Bianca Zanini senior correspondent sitting by jerusalem today a lot of focus on the city and of course Certain points of potential flash points. Let's call it here. Bianca jerusalem. Definitely one of them. What's happening today? Yeah, david i want to uh tell you about something that happened just a couple of minutes ago And that has kept happening all morning It seems that there are little waves or eruptions of violence every half an hour every hour And it always starts with some sort of expression of uh religiousness So we hear one group expressing or chanting religious chanting the other one responding and within seconds david We're seeing a crowd gathering people very much on the edge people very much ready to um get into this and uh within seconds We're hearing screaming and yelling and tussling and we just saw another arrestor at the very least police forcefully removing One of the people here and again david this is something that we keep seeing all day long and it really tells you About the tensions here how everyone seems to be on the edge and it's really Almost a reflection of what we're seeing large scale here right two sides that uh keep Clashing and whatever piece we see does not seem to last very long and is very fragile and even Any sort of expression can break it david Now a lot of attention as you mentioned here Bianca a lot of concern over just what could erupt or on a wider scale If those little uh as you define the now small scales scuffles taking place turn into something bigger Are police expecting larger crowds to converge there later today? Well police has been expecting that uh today from this morning has potential uh to erupt in a larger scale violence We see police all over the city and although it's been rather calm apart from these little waves of violence David, uh, we have seen an overall calm in the city, but it seems like I mentioned a very very fragile and uh just A short while ago the temple mound was reopened for uh jews to visit We've seen more than 2 000 jews visit there today, but again, uh now that Shortly, uh, they'll be leaving and uh at these moments there seems to be a potential for more clashes And again, of course here in jerusalem in the old city in particular And near the temple mound the alexa Compound is particularly sensitive what we saw last year was that any clashes and violence that happened here were part of Dignition for the 11-day Conflict that we saw last year and that's what police is trying to avoid this year because Essentially if we see any large scale eruptions of violence and clashes at these areas, uh, it is likely that hamas could Uh, Decide to engage in the conflict with they haven't done so far so far, of course And uh, and that could completely change the calculation of this operation And be all get in line with the concerns there We see some of it behind you here the police presence a lot's been made at least locally about the heavy deployment of police The call-up of reserve battalions. Do you see a major police presence out there? Yes, all the time we do see little pockets of tourists coming and visit and they keep asking us what's happening. What's going on? Uh, they it's it's uh, like you can't avoid it there. The police president is very very heavy But I do have to say again that it seems to come uh in waves at some point And you can said we had lunch we spoke to a group of tourists that were that seem to be a little confused A little bit scared but still, you know willing to continue to see and Continue their tour, but uh, but I have to say it seems like things can change any minute now Such a major factor that you touch on there Bianca the tourist season in full swing in this country It's been something we can feel on the streets. So sure it's a factor out there. Bianca Zanini. Thanks for the updates from Jerusalem's old city We got a piece ducal box our correspondent down in state road today the town one of the epicenters of issues So close to the Gaza Strip there. Pia. How do you describe the morning at the early afternoon? At the early afternoon already in that region hasn't been the quietest David it is very very tense and it has been very very tense for the entire morning basically for the past Days David we are here and then we are hearing the sounds of detonations when the iron dome missile defense system Intercepts a rocket that emanated from the Gaza envelope That is supposed was supposed to target the community sea and southern israel We hear the detonations not always do we see these kind of white clouds that immerse on the sky Sometimes we do sometimes we don't we had a rocket alert about half an hour ago And then of course we made our way to the shelter there Widely displayed throughout the cities and communities here in southern israel So that everybody has the opportunity To reach a shelter within only a couple of seconds because here we are indeed very very close to the Gaza envelope to the border And we only have a couple of seconds most of the times there's not even a real siren There's just a voice coming out of a loud speaker saying this is a red alert And then people have to rush to the shelters as soon as possible and then a couple of seconds later Really you hear the iron dome interception and then you hear the detonations and of course we have the You could say privileged to go here But of course only a couple of meters or kilometers away people in Gaza do not have the privilege we have to mention Pia, how do you describe the flow of regular life down there in this region? I mean it started last week being disrupted with the road closures around the Gaza Strip Just how active are people right now Well david you mentioned it this entire situation of Being having and not having a normal everyday life for these people started basically last tuesday When israeli security forces blocked certain routes certain traffic routes the train service between the city of sterot and ashkelon Was passed and normal life couldn't continue as normal So this is almost going on for a week now people here and maybe this is a special israeli characteristic of feature After rocket alert after a minute already people are going back to their normal lives as normal as life can get under these circumstances But people get out of the shelter and continue on their ways and this is very much this israeli Feeling of life has to go on. This is also what the mayor of sterot described when we had the chance to talk to him earlier He basically said that israelis are willing to suffer now in order to get a longer period of calm Let's take a listen to what he had to say When we see that the idf harms those who want to eliminate us and our children we salute We're ready to be shoulder to shoulder with them and support them so they can continue They harm us therefore they must be harmed and eliminated At the political level it has been proven that it is possible to eliminate terrorists And justice terrorists are eliminated in judaea and samaria and other places. This policy should also be applied in gaza Stop the situation where no one is touched there They should be repeatedly harmed pia thanks for the updates here from south of course perspectives of local authorities as well So we'll come back to you keep following situation closely our pia stucco lockdown insta wrote today Again ongoing day three still of operation breaking dawn It's not quieting down yet, but we know there are some talks in the works here Where you have nearing silver in the studio here now analyze this a bit more I mean we're hearing at least comments statements that there's an egyptian At least egyptian effort underway here to get the sides to agree to some sort of a ceasefire at this point It's easy the key at this point. Are they the key interlocutor in this whole situation? Well, if past is precedent and they are the usual mediators along with the united nations in qatar, we should say Past rounds with hamas those have been the three main actors mediating between israel and the gaza based militant groups This time around i think egypt will have to play a major role If only to get hamas to pressure islamic jihad To stop firing rockets and to accept the ceasefire, which i think as of today israel is also Very much in the business in the interest of of reaching i think israel has a has a You know three days of warfare israel i think believes it has achieved a lot of the objectives that it set out To achieve at the beginning of this campaign You end it now The possibility of miscalculation or in greater loss of life on the israeli side and also on the gaza side And if you end it soon, yeah, we heard that from the idf spokesman here shortly A short while ago that the objectives have been met that the initial threat that went into the weekend facing was eliminated Sounds like they want the conflict to wrap up here. They sooner than later, of course But these long jihad in areas known to sort of take Finances support even orders from tehran from iran right now We have egypt mediating other players in the region pressure from hamas How does iran factor into this and just how much influence do we think they have over the islamic jihad? Are they giving direct orders at this point? What do we think? I don't think they're giving direct orders I think iran is very far away from the gaza strip and Whatever iran and the leaders in tehran and even islamic jihad's Overall leaders that sit outside the gaza strip whether in beirut or devascus or tehran Whatever they want is one thing. I think the the rank and file on the ground are having a rough go of it over the past three days I think that's undoubtedly true israel is The israeli air force primarily is hammering them hard. They've lost two Senior field commanders or two most senior field commanders in the span of three days That's not a minor minor point So I think the the rank and file on the ground may want it to end sooner rather than later I think it is important to emphasize that there is an iranian connection islamic jihad Was built and funded and financed and supported by iran from its very beginning over three decades ago That's a big distinction from hamas, which has always been allied but a bit separate from iran But I don't think islamic jihad You know fire rockets are not fire rockets. I don't think that's a call made in tehran Thanks for that so far, but as Long lines of what you touch on here is or went after those commanders there and top islamic jihad commander of the gaza trip Khaled months or he was killed saturday the surgical idf strike and our hanarif kit has more on the latest top target in gaza Just one day after the gaza strips a northern region commander of the palestinian islamic jihad Taisir jabari was assassinated the israeli air force takes out another pij leader Khaled months or on saturday night by precision strike in the southern gaza strip city of raffa I can tell you we carried out another Elimination of the commander of the southern area of the pij. This is a very important achievement And according to all the data i have at the moment We hit him and he was eliminated along with others and in fact the entire military arm of the palestinian islamic jihad And the gaza strip was thwarted But who is Khaled months or and why was he assassinated by the idf months or was the terror organization's commander of the gaza strips southern region and over the last few days He planned anti tank guided missile and high altitude missile attacks on the israeli border But over the last couple of decades months or had a heavy hand in numerous attacks on israel In july 2004 he was responsible for moderately injuring an idf southern brigade commander of the gaza division Then in 2010 while serving as head of the pij's rocket unit He claimed responsibility for the death of famed idf combat major ellie ross parrots Then in 2015 he became commander of the pij's northern region of the gaza strip from mortar bomb to advanced rockets Idf intelligence says that months or led hundreds of rocket attacks on israel during this time He was heavily involved in building tunnels and in may 2021 during operation guardian of the walls Launched barrages of rockets at israel and attempted massive plots against idf troops and israeli civilians As israel continues its operation breaking dawn So far the idf sees it as a success as they eliminate palestinian islamic jihad's top leadership for now Let's deal with nary zilber here for at least another minute and a half here nary the Have to draw a little more attention to the political moment that it is in israel a transition government A prime minister who has not been at the helm of any previous conflict per se What kind of a moment is it for israel and especially in light of a potential ceasefire today Potential ceasefire and also an upcoming election day. We shouldn't mention that it's election season So while military and security issues I think are first and foremost in people's minds in the back of people's minds. There's a looming election in november I think undoubtedly the lapid and his government have been viewed and seen by the israeli public as having done a very good job Over the past three days if you woke up friday morning and the public mood with regard to the government was very different They were asking why parts of southern israel were on effective lockdown with travel restrictions road closed and trains closed And why without having fired a shot a militant group in the gaza strip Was getting all this done without the israeli government and military actually doing anything about it So now that narrative has flipped since friday forward three days israelis Obviously taken action the lapid government has shown its willingness to deploy a military force You try to end it now if you can wrap it up in a reasonable time frame here Is that any more collateral damage victory for that nary zilber? Thanks for being with us so far on this special that we step out for another break here. We'll be back in just a moment Cuscus cuscus is the original national dish from north africa made of the best part of the wheat called semolina the cuscus made in a special pot called the cuscus here and it's Hundreds of years the same way that's the traditional way to do it The difference between the cuscus from libya to nissby algeria morocco in every place Are different the texture the color today. We're going to make the moroccan version of cuscus with kukumin which is yellowish. I grew up on it Here in israel that my parents are from morocco since I was a child I I love to eat it only to eat it During the years. I was so curious to explore it. I wrote a book Which is called the great book of cuscus. There are More than 100 recipes for cuscus Some of them are traditional and some of them is like fusion Like the italian version cuscus bolognese Today I will serve My cuscus the traditional moroccan way with hummus in the vegetable soup The cuscus is a staple dish And when you put something on it It's it's like tofu. It takes The taste is there are different toppings Different look of the dish different texture Every time when I make cuscus no matter how many people will be here There is enough for everyone King mus again But there's always more to the story Especially here in the middle east what's really going on in the region. Well, unless you're actually here. You can't really tell Join us here at the feeding heart of the new middle east to get a true perspective on what's really going on Make sure to stay with us if you're just joining now or the second hour of rolling ongoing live coverage here at i24 news This is day three of idf operation breaking dawn focused on combating the palestinian islamic jihad in the gaza strip This began on friday afternoon after days of tension last week when Islamic jihad squads were menacing the roads of southern israel forcing the idf to close many of them again For days on end until friday taking action This is a live shot right now of the gaza border region and idf position nearby you can see the artillery guns Embedded in their positions Quiet for now soldiers hunkering down in the shade as they do midday in august Unless there's active fire and of course we'll keep drawing your attention to those incidents In our analysis ongoing this hour we go to our correspondent. Muhammad Najib and ramallah Muhammad thanks for joining us right now a lot of questions to get to you first on just some of the latest Understand that the egyptians are trying to push some kind of a ceasefire agreement through today But the palestinian islamic jihad Issue a statement I think just this hour saying that they've got a lot of fight in them still that their Munitions are far from spent that they're still strong What do we know about the status of this or the appetite perhaps for a ceasefire on both sides? Yes, the report says that the islamic jihad movement that Saray al-Quds the military wing of the islamic jihad used any Egyptian efforts to Stabilize truce with israel because they sit after the Killing targeted killing of their leader khalil mansoor and before taisir al-jabari The situation get into a new phase and they want to retaliate for the murder of their top military leaders so it's investment for them to stop the Fighting and firing the rockets before a revenge for the murder of their Leaders and that's a difficult situation for them And they hope that hamas at some point will join them They can get some support from those bank But right now there is Not an expectation that hamas will join them or support them or the west bank will support them more than Protestations or a peaceful opposition in the west bank that called by fattah in every west bank city Now that being a maybe the the big question of this flare up in the conflict is will hamas join Will they open fire alongside the jihad at this point you're saying we don't have an indication that that's imminent Looking at the west bank though And we're just showing our viewers a skyline view of gaza city quiet as it is at this moment so many questions Mohamed about what's the atmosphere in the west bank? I mean for weeks prior to this flare up and attention again on the gaza strip all the attention security-wise had been from the israeli side on the west bank in these IDF operations going after these long with jihad there What's the atmosphere right now in the west bank since this operation started? On the leadership little there is a strong anger The gamsia bray mr. Muhammad is to you will hold the risk conference after an hour from now to talk about the consequences of the attacking of gaza on the unitarian level and impact on the civilians There are two millions civilians in gaza who suffers before that the balecian health minister maikela said that the fuel for the health Facilities didn't allow to enter to gaza for a week and this is it makes the Health care facilities will stop providing its service to the ballastinians in gaza and also fatigued on its members to Demonstrate at 5 p.m. Today and tomorrow all of those banks to show support and solidarity with the people in gaza They are a 265 ballastinians who have been injured by the israeli fire And 31 killed including them. They are children and women So that's make the ballastinians in the west bank anger in addition to what's happened at al-Aqsa most today when they are more than 1,000 these 100 israelis came to al-Aqsa Bruvok some ballastinians who were there the israeli police prevented the ballastinian prayers under 50 age to enter to al-Aqsa So there is a growing tension in the west bank and the growing anger and solidarity with the unitarian side of What's going in gaza? We'll keep an eye on that situation. Muhammad Ajib coming to us from Ramallah. Thanks for the updates on the status of the west bank and picture at large But as we are working to emphasize here this ongoing operation three days of it It's between israel and the palestinian islamic jihad not the people of the gaza strip by a long shot This is a very focused operation and our correspondent our elivine walbin As the profile report on just who is the palestinian islamic jihad Israel's breaking down military operation continues hunting down the leadership of the palestinian islamic jihad and gaza But just who are the terrorists who have had israel under the gun? You hurt shake for samsadi who is not just the commander of the islamic jihad here He is a religious figure. This is a religious issue. This situation will not go on We are awaiting instructions from gaza how to respond. We are in this war with gaza together We are armed with rockets advanced drones and anti-tank weapons The palestinian islamic jihad is second only to hamas and its power and influence in gaza And it is part ally and part rival vying for control of the same turf pij spawned from the islamist muslim brotherhood party in 1981 and immediately began to wage war against israel With a group charter that calls for the total annihilation of the jewish state And it received funding and weapons directly from israel's arch enemy iran Our fight is not with the people of gaza islamic jihad is an iranian proxy that wants to destroy the state of israel and kill innocent israelis The head of islamic jihad is in into heran as we speak Iran's fingerprints can be found on the funding but also on the weapons the group is armed with Iranian made missiles and advanced armed drones that gaza cannot domestically produce And in direct meeting between pij leadership and iran's regime But the group manages to surpass even hamas and radicalism calling any political solution a betrayal We share the same islamic identity From a strategic point of view, there's no difference between us and hamas Only a tactical difference We reject participation in the elections because we believe that the basis of the palestinian authority Is the oslo agreement Unlike hamas the pij rejects even long cease fighters as beneficial This has put the group at odds with hamas in the past Notably in 2019 after pij leader baha abu al-ata was assassinated and the pij launched attacks on israel Even as hamas didn't want escalation, but escalation is the group's identity I don't agree with hamas's idea of a long ceasefire with israel Because israel would only use the time to make things worse Now three years later israel finds itself in the same struggle with its neighbors islamic jihad Once more calling the shots on the border and hamas trying not to bring israel's wrap-down on their own leaders Is there a way out? After more perspective on the ongoing situation here to get day three of this operation We go to robot and maraca where our correspondent reda benets is standing by reda. Thanks for joining us Always good to speak with you, especially on the big contentious issues facing us here Issue we're trying to make clear to our audience of course is that this is not israel attacking the people of the gaza strip It's israel against the palestinian islamic jihad embedded in gaza is that nuance something that's Noticed in morocco. How's this being discussed right now in the papers of morocco? Good morning. They've been of course with a serious and stressful concern the kingdom of morocco It's having a special relationship with the both sides and last visits of the israeli sides here in morocco And a lot of cooperation with the the new era i mean between israel and morocco So morocco is concerned by the security of the both side. They has released one and palestinians one This morning an official statement have been released from the ministry of the four inch affairs I will just read some of the text that the kingdom of morocco is following with deep concern the serious deterioration Of the situation in gaza strip Due to the return of acts of violence and fighting which have caused human losses and material damage Indicated the ministry of foreign affairs african cooperation and moroccan resident abroad In the statement the ministry stressed that the kingdom of morocco who's surveying his majesty the king mohammed the sixth chairs al kut's committee calls to avoiding further escalation of Restoring calm for that situation that not degenerate those preparing the region from further Tension which compromised the chance of peace while returning this cancer in the position of Supporting the rights of the palestinian People the kingdom of morocco affirmed that the lasting solution of the conflict between the the two parties palestinian and israeli Leads to the establishment of an independent palestinian state living side by side with the state of israel Yeah, this is that this is a statement. Yeah, not avoiding the major issues of Impressive to see not shiny Sorry to jump on you right and we are stepping out for another break here on the program Right event is coming to us from robot again. Thank you. We'll be right back with much Discover i20 for news radio Now you can listen to i20 for news anywhere anytime for free i20 for news radio is the audio live stream of the television network with world headlines every 30 minutes starting from 7 a.m Tune in for top news and magazines editions while in the car in your office Join us from your smartphone tablet or desktop to stay connected in the middle east and around the world Don't wait any longer. Head to our website or mobile application and click on i20 for news radio to subscribe Back in thanks for staying with us. We're joining us now on i20 for news our ongoing and rolling live coverage of day three IDF operation breaking dawn focused on Hitting the leadership and of course the capability of these palestinian islamic jihad So much of their armament based in the Gaza Strip. That's where this operation has focused and we go to our defense Correspondent jonathan regath who's now down in the town of stay road just close to the Gaza border here in the epicenter So much fire from Gaza over the years jonathan I know you've spent a lot of time down there covering it all for us today I understand just in the last minutes really yet more sirens more rockets being fired out of Gaza Yes, more sirens not specifically here to the city of the road But the other communities nearby including also the city of ashkelon Lying just about seven or eight miles north of the Gaza border. Yes, we are hearing Perhaps a word of possible Negotiations for some kind of a ceasefire. Whatever those negotiations may be heading on the ground Nothing is as felt regarding that Still the IDF operating within Gaza still rockets being fired from the strip into israel There may be talks, but nothing of that is felt on the ground And we're showing the live skyline shot of Gaza city at this point just a bit of that smoky hay is still visible on the horizon Just two minutes ago. You could see clearly jonathan where that rocket The rockets had come out of one of those populations the hearts of the population center there So speaking to the nature of the difficulty of what the IDF is continually facing with the Gaza Strip What do we know jonathan about IDF activity? We know the rockets are still coming out of Gaza What's the IDF doing besides calling for a ceasefire it sounds like The IDF is specifically targeting palestinian islamic jihad targets and not only that Looking for a squads which are heading Close to the border and trying to fire rockets towards israel and specifically palestinian islamic jihad squads Of course those rockets from Gaza are sent into israeli civilian populations And not only that they're sent in Gaza from within palestinian civilian population centers We saw the result of that last night with those kill that killing of families With kids they were killed from a palestinian rocket sent from within the jibalia neighborhood in the city of Gaza, this is the way the islamic jihad is operating from within population centers and into Population centers that is one of the main problems for the IDF to target those Launching squads. They're well entrenched inside a civilian population And there's always the risk that when you target them you may hit them But also the civilian population around them as far as the islamic jihad is concerned They don't care about that We saw that last night firing rockets from within civilian population and hurting them The IDF is trying to spare this palestinian civilian population as much as possible Good to highlight that Jonathan our hearts in israel truly go out to the people of Gaza suffering as they are with rocket launchers Underneath their buildings essentially no warning sirens and no protection with their local authorities Hamas and palestinian's lama jihad jonathan reggae at thanks for giving us updates again Rocket fire still emerging from the Gaza strip this last hour But we go to jerusalem right now and so much attention on that potential flashpoint in this conflict or Senior correspondent Bianca Zanini standing by giving us updates these two hours Bianca I know it hasn't been an especially quiet day in jerusalem, but not as bad as many fear. What's happening out there? That's exactly right david the fears for today from israeli authorities Were we're quite dire There was an expectation that uh here in particular in the old city In the areas around the temple mount the alexa mosque that violence could blow up and escalate and i mean We are still only About halfway through the day It's we do we don't know what's going to happen a lot can still happen But so far at this moment right now we're seeing Rather calm, but as you can see behind me. There's a lot of press. There's a lot of police. There's The police presence which of course speaks to the fact that we keep seeing these pockets of violence that keep escalating All day long now. They're rather small rather contained rather controlled The police have has made a few arrests forcibly removing several men from different different Tussles different I wouldn't call it fully clashes, but confrontations for sure a lot of anger and definitely people on the edge There is a lot of tension here in jerusalem today With everyone fearing what could happen next david. We will uh keep our keep getting updated through you here Beyond for the needy. Thanks for bringing us latest from jerusalem And we want to bring to our viewers here some of the latest from major diron spielman idf spokesperson for international media made some statements earlier Of this operation from the very beginning have been based on restoring security and quiet to the residents of southern israel We've seen rockets falling on people all throughout israel heading from central isra all the way down to the south Children here are living in shelters. That's not a life. It's untenable that this would be the way people will live This operation will continue until all the people of israel can rest securely and safely in their homes And their children can grow up in parks not inside of bomb shelters We have managed to neutralize both the northern and southern commander of islamic shahada on the gaza strip Just earlier today We blew up a terror tunnel that was heading from gaza towards israel That had that been open could have been used to kidnap israeli civilians or kill israeli civilians What this shows us is that there are still active targets that could be used against israelis And this operation will come to a conclusion when that's been achieved The original date that was set for this operation was up to one week However, that is flexible and the state of israel from top to bottom and i as a military officer know That we are here to protect the citizens of the state of israel and we're not going anywhere until that happens This entire operation is based on the idea that israeli civilians should be able to go to bed safely night and gaza civilians Should also be able to go to bed at night and what is preventing this from happening on both sides of the border is islamic shahada Something you certainly don't hear from any of the spokespeople in the gaza strip concerned for israeli civilians The idf spokesperson right there communicating his concern for those in gaza as we try to do Again, not a conflict with the people of the gaza strip a conflict with islamic jihad That happens to be embedded among them, but we are joined now by the director of communications for united hafzala They know our ts Thanks for being with us one of the premier rescue services in israel So clearly a big moment for your organization here. What can you tell us? I mean since friday when all this ramped up the status of rescue and response efforts in in southern israel where most of the fire has been directed Since the closure began we distribute medical equipment to all of our Volunteers at the region of the south of israel to be prepared to any scenario and right now all of them are having this bulletproof vest and helmets so they can go out there to any medical and Just be there with the psychotrauma unit events for all the scenarios of the Fear of the citizens And you see the vest on you there that armor important obviously shrapnel a part of this and you go to rocket sites Another one could be on the same trajectory So wearing those ceramic vests the helmets important for our viewers to understand part of the rescue operation at this point What are you seeing in the local communities down there? How prepared are people? Obviously, this is not their first time at the rodeo as we say does everyone have a designated shelter for example As you said, it's not the first time in israel and the civilians are prepared for that And also the volunteers of united at salah know how to act if something is happening during the ambulance shift They will go immediately to the shelter nearby and they have shelters everywhere So we are ready. We are prepared. We can handle the situation. God bless And now I'm talking about the people that obviously is so concerned about they're Accustomed to this violence sadly, but are you still treating people each day with acute anxieties the stress that comes with being exposed to live fire Correct Especially the kids no kids should suffer and be afraid But right now the kids are afraid they cannot just play and be kids in their summer vacation right now So we are there. We are helping them We give them all the psychotrauma unit volunteers to assist them inside the shelters and give them this A little bit of comfort and comfortable situation as much as we can People just staying close to shelter at this point, you know, or is that the best option given the heat and the threat of rockets I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you well the directive and I mean what people are doing just staying near shelter at this point Yes, the civilians obligate to stay near the shelters. They're not allowed to go out There is no schools or summer camps right now Everyone needs to stay at home and the volunteers will assist them if there is nothing Something necessary for them at this point like so much The rest of us your organization on standby for this to go on as long as it goes on this point. You're prepared for anything We are we are prepared and if necessary will bring more and more Volunteers from across israel to help the region of the south You know, yes, director of communications for united hat's a lot keep up the good work and stay safe. Thank you for joining us As we have to draw attention to here We keep giving our own Explanations of just what's happening here But of course anytime and for really any reason that israel is engaged in battle with the Terror leaders of the gaza strip the world takes notice to varying degrees as we're saying before that Get into that more senior correspond. Oh and alter many give us a bit more of what's already emerged Come monday the diplomatic focus for israel will come back here To the familiar round table of the united nation security council Where behind closed doors ambassadors will once again Hash out an israel gaza conflict Don't expect a game changing outcome. The news will be the diplomatic temperature in the hall And here a preview from a current council member the united arab emirates The united arab emirates has emphasized the need to restore calm to the gaza strip reduce escalation and preserve civilian lives The uae expresses its deep concern over the current escalation and calls for exercising maximum restraint To prevent being drawn into new levels of violence and instability The emirati reaction is important for israel the uae a country at the heart of the abraham accords And if israel's push for normalization in the region and in fact The uae decided to park itself on safe ground the stances from europe and from washington All sides to avoid further escalation The u.s government adds a piece about israel's right to defend itself as does the statement from british foreign secretary liz truss A tweet from the german ambassador and televieve is especially friendly The statement from the european union gives a nod to israel's self defense rights The french foreign ministry leaves them out And then there's the reaction from mosco where russia also has called for maximum restraint Showing that even in these tense international times russia and the west can agree on at least one thing No one wants a war in gaza Thank you in oan for that But as we know here at i24 news the world's attention is on this country whenever conflict erupts Certainly with the gaza strip and that's why we bring you our ongoing special edition coverage here throughout the day and night We'll have it all for you and it is idf operation breaking dawn It began friday in case you've missed the news here This operation began even hitting the palestinian islamic jihad leadership and their terror infrastructure Menaced southern israel all last week now israel decided to embark on this operation It was a response those three days of active threats and road closures in southern israel posed by anti-tank missile squads from the islamic jihad in gaza that have been seeking civilian targets That was three days of closures and apparently back channel efforts to get the jihad to stand down But in the end israel delivered this sharp message in the form of this operation If you pour your gun at us you get shot We're now getting day three of that ongoing surgical striking operation on these islamic jihad leadership again Not against the people of gaza So many around the world try to frame this the ongoing countermeasures as well So active going after these rocket launching squads and the enclave that have continued to attempt to fire rockets into israeli civilian centers Just even in the last hour it's these long jihad again firing Around 600 rockets and mortars to date at israel's population centers again since friday evening hamas very significantly still on the sidelines in egyptian efforts underway to broker some sort Of ceasefire the israeli officials saying that objectives have been reached So stay tuned. We'll have it all for you here as it happens. This is the gaza skyline in the background. I'm david matlin in televieve. Thanks for