Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had earlier instigated riots on the Temple Mount in Old Jerusalem to divert attention from internal political issues. Not wanting to be left out of a good riot against the Jews, Hamas decided to fire rockets into Israel, mostly Southern Israel near Ashkelon. Within a 5-minute time frame on Monday, more than 130 rockets were fired on this community (Click here to watch a video Israel Defense Forces provided of the destruction to homes in southern Israel).

Although some rockets reached the outer edge of Jerusalem, IDF has used Iron Dome technology to intercept the vast majority of rockets fired into Israel. But there has been significant damage to homes near the southern border in Ashkelon and the Sderot region. Several Jewish lives were lost, and there were numerous reports of injuries.

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz expected Israel's retaliation to cause tremendous damage to Gaza and the Palestinians.

I have never seen anything like what we are witnessing now. The problem has been compounded by the fact that some Jewish groups appear to be joining in the riots. The violence is terrible.

Please pray for Israel. Pray for peace and calm to return.

For Peace,

Mat Staver
Chairman