View source for November 2019 Gaza–Israel clashes

{{short description|Series of rocket strikes conducted by Israel and the Gaza Strip}}
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{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Gaza–Israel clashes (November 2019)
| width             = 
| partof            = [[Gaza–Israel conflict]]
| image             = Gaza Strip map2.svg
| caption           = Map of Gaza Strip and Israel border
| date              = 12 – 14 November 2019
| place             = [[Gaza Strip]], [[Israel]]
| coordinates       = <!--Use the {{coord}} template -->
| map_type          = 
| map_relief        = 
| map_size          = 
| map_marksize      = 
| map_caption       = 
| map_label         = 
| territory         = 
| result            = Ceasefire, wider confrontation avoided
| status            = 
| combatants_header = 
| combatant1        = {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Israel]]
| combatant2        = {{flagicon image|}} [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Palestinian Islamic Jihad]]
| combatant3        = 
| commander1        = {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br />{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Naftali Bennett]]<br />{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Aviv Kochavi]]
| commander2        = {{flagicon image|}} [[Ziyad al-Nakhalah]]
| commander3        = 
| units1            = [[Israel Defense Forces]]
*[[Israel Air Force]]
| units2            = [[Al-Quds Brigades]]
| units3            = 
| strength1         = 
| strength2         = 
| strength3         = 
| casualties1       = None killed<br />Several lightly wounded<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/gaza-israel-rockets-day-2-islamic-jihad-tel-aviv-hamas-syria-1.8122258|title=Gaza Flare-up: Hundreds of Rockets Target Israel, 22 Palestinians Killed|date=13 November 2019|website=Haaretz|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref>
| casualties2       = 39 killed<br />111 wounded<ref name="ceasefireAJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/gaza-strip-ceasefire-agreed-32-killed-bombardments-191114041849134.html|title=Fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza amid reports of fire exchange|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/islamic-jihad-israel-gaza-rockets-ceasefire-tel-aviv-hamas-syria-1.8122258|title=Israel Strikes Islamic Jihad Positions Following Rockets Launched From Gaza After Cease-fire|date=November 15, 2019|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref>
| notes             = 
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Gaza–Israel conflict}}
}}
The '''Gaza–Israel clashes (November 2019)''' code-named by Israel as '''Operation Black Belt''' ({{lang-he|מבצע חגורה שחורה}}), took place between the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) and [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] (PIJ) following the [[targeted killing]] of senior PIJ commander [[Baha Abu al-Ata]] in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]], and the attempted killing of senior PIJ commander [[Akram al-Ajouri]] in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] by the IDF. PIJ responded with rocket fire into Israel, including long-range rockets fired towards [[Tel Aviv]], leading to several civilians being wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trew |first=Bel |date=12 November 2019 |title=Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-palestine-gaza-jihad-commander-dead-bahaa-abu-el-ata-wife-rocket-sirens-a9199241.html |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lidman |first=Melanie |date=12 November 2019 |title=Rockets on Tel Aviv prick city's bubble of nonchalance |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/first-rockets-in-tel-aviv-in-five-years-pricks-citys-nonchalant-bubble/ |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> In response to the rocket fire, Israel carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling in the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding several militants as well as civilians.<ref name="timesofisrael1">{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=12 November 2019 |title=IDF girds for several days of fighting after 150 rockets fired at Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-girds-for-several-days-of-fighting-after-some-150-rockets-fired-at-israel/ |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Israel |first=David |date=November 14, 2019 |title=Operation Black Belt Hit All Its Targets; Bennett: It's Not Over, We'll Keep Hitting |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/operation-black-belt-hit-all-its-targets-bennett-its-not-over-well-keep-hitting/2019/11/14/ |website=Jewish Press}}</ref>

A ceasefire went into effect after 48 hours of clashes,<ref name="ceasefireAJ" /> though it was breached by some Palestinian militants.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=15 November 2019 |title=IDF launches fresh strikes in Gaza in response to rocket attacks |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-launches-fresh-strikes-in-gaza-in-response-to-rocket-attacks/ |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

==Background==
===Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Baha Abu al-Ata===
[[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] is the second-largest militant group in Gaza after [[Hamas]] – the ruling military and political party. PIJ had financial problems in the year prior to the clashes. The group is funded by [[Iran]], but these funds are reportedly insufficient and the leadership struggles to pay salaries to group members. In 2018 [[Ziyad al-Nakhalah]] was appointed leader of PIJ after his predecessor resigned due to bad health. Iran had put pressure on PIJ not to appoint Mohammed al-Hindi as Nakhalah's second-in-command because he wanted the group to form ties with more parties such as [[Turkey]], [[Qatar]] and [[Egypt]]. Although he was not appointed as a deputy, he is regarded as such. Instead, [[Akram al-Ajouri]], who was also a target of an Israeli attempted assassination on 12 November, was appointed. Within these power struggles in the group, [[Baha Abu al-Ata]], the main target of the Israeli attack, stands out as a separatist. He is the commander of the PIJ's northern sector of the Gaza Strip and held responsible by Israel for rocket attacks on Israel.<ref name=zvibarel/>

===Israel–Hamas talks===
The clashes erupted during a time of talks between Israel and Hamas, the military and political leader of the [[Gaza Strip]], on a future settlement to the conflict between the two. In the second half of October 2019, an envoy of the PIJ officials, headed by PIJ leader Al-Nakhalah, was invited to the Egyptian [[Cairo|capital]] to discuss the future calm with Israel. Officials from abroad and from Gaza, including Abu al-Ata, whose killing sparked the November clashes, were invited. Egypt had made attempts to invite members of both the military and political branches of the group, in sight of its internal disputes. The PIJ officials reported that the talks were good and planted roots for further cooperation with Hamas and between both groups and Egypt for the sake of an agreement with Israel. The Egyptian government had made a gesture for the group when it released 25 imprisoned members of the group and let them return to Gaza, a move that was coordinated with Israel.<ref name="zvibarel">{{cite news |author1=Bar'el |first=Zvi |date=13 November 2019 |title=Analysis For Islamic Jihad, Revenge for Israel's Killing of Gaza Leader Isn't a Top Priority |work=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-for-islamic-jihad-revenge-for-israel-s-killing-of-gaza-leader-isn-t-a-top-priority-1.8120989}}</ref>

Ten days after the talks the PIJ fired rockets on Israeli communities near Gaza. Hamas and Egypt were angered with this act. This caused disagreements among the Egyptian side on the future of ties with the PIJ. Egypt also threatened to stop the mediation with Israel if Hamas could not restrain the PIJ. Israel held Abu al-Ata responsible for the rocket attacks.<ref name=zvibarel/>

===Targeted killing of Baha Abu al-Ata===
Before dawn on 12 November, the [[Israeli Air Force]] carried out a targeted killing airstrike on Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza. The airstrike struck the top floor of an apartment building where he was sleeping, killing him and his wife. Two other people were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harel |first=Amos |date=12 November 2019 |title=Israel Kills Senior Islamic Jihad Commander in Gaza; Rockets Fired at Israel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israeli-operation-targets-leader-of-islamic-jihad-overnight-in-gaza-1.8118328 |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=Haaretz}}</ref> Simultaneously, Syrian state media stated that Israel had fired 3 missiles at a house in [[Damascus]], targeting Akram al-Ajouri. The strikes failed to kill al-Ajouri, but 2 people including his son were killed and 6 others injured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-jihad-says-senior-commander-targeted-in-damascus-strike-son-killed/|title=Islamic Jihad says senior commander targeted in Damascus strike, son killed|date=12 November 2019|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref> Later that day, Israel confirmed the strike on al-Ata, saying that he was responsible for several attacks on Israel during 2019, including dozens of rocket launches during [[Gaza–Israel clashes (May 2019)|clashes in May 2019]] and sniper attacks on Israeli soldiers.<ref name="the guardian">{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Oliver |date=12 November 2019 |title=Israel strikes on Islamic Jihad chiefs prompt reprisal rocket attacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/12/israel-kills-islamic-jihad-commander-in-gaza-sparking-reprisal-rocket-attacks |access-date=12 November 2019 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name=timesofisrael1 /> This attack marks a change in Israel's strategic policy against Gaza. In recent years, every time a group other than Hamas attacked Israel, the response was an attack on Hamas, which is held responsible for every attack from Gaza. This time, Israel has attacked the PIJ directly, while avoiding any attack on Hamas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harel |first1=Amos |author1-link=Amos Harel |date=13 November 2019 |title=While at war with Islamic Jihad, Israel is almost in talks with Hamas |work=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-while-at-war-with-islamic-jihad-israel-is-almost-in-talks-with-hamas-1.8123791}}</ref>

Immediately following the initial attacks and the return fire from Gaza, the [[Home Front Command]] put part of the Israeli population in partial lockdown depending on the area. Citizens from  [[South District (Israel)|Southern]] and [[Gush Dan|Central]] Israel were told to refrain from all congregation, to stay home from all workplaces deemed 'not critical' and in addition, all schools and universities were closed until further notice.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Bachner |first=Michael |date=13 November 2019 |title=Netanyahu: Islamic Jihad knows Israel will keep striking 'with no mercy' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-islamic-jihad-knows-israel-will-keeping-striking-with-no-mercy/ |access-date=13 November 2019 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Timeline==
===12 November===
Rocket fire began shortly after the targeted killings of PIJ leaders in Gaza and Syria. The rocket fire was retaliated by Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza. At the end of the day the IDF said it had carried out 20 airstrikes and 10 artillery shelling as a response to about 200 rockets fired from Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50395347|title=Israel-Gaza violence spirals after militant killed|date=12 November 2019|access-date=13 November 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/israel-targeted-killings-latest-updates-191112062846745.html|title=Israeli attacks: All the latest updates|website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref> According to IDF 90% of the rockets were intercepted by the [[Iron Dome]] defense system. [[Magen David Adom]] had treated 46 people, most of whom were wounded while running for shelter or of shock.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zikri |first1=Almog Ben |last2=Landau |first2=Noa |last3=Kubovich |first3=Yaniv |last4=Khoury |first4=Jack |date=13 November 2019 |title=Israel Bombarded With Gaza Rockets After Killing Islamic Jihad Commander |work=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-bombarded-after-killing-islamic-jihad-commander-1.8122098?=&ts=_1573643251118 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Throughout the day, seeing how the backlash from Gaza was far lighter than anticipated, the restrictions set in place for the public, were slowly rolled back and people went back to work/school in the Center of Israel. In the South of Israel, rocket fire continued into the night.

During the day at al-Ata's funeral, senior Islamic Jihad official Khaled al-Batsh labeled the two Israeli strikes in Gaza and Syria a "declaration of war", and vowed that the group's response would "rock the Zionist entity". [[Hamas]] stated that the killing of al-Ata would not go unpunished.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50386164|title=Israel kills top Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant in Gaza|date=12 November 2019|website=BBC|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>

===13 November===
After six hours without any attacks from both sides between Tuesday and Wednesday, rocket fire from Gaza resumed with a morning barrage that reached [[Netivot]] in the south and [[Beit Shemesh]] in central Israel. The rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system.<ref name="toimorning13">{{cite news |author1=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=13 November 2019 |title=Massive early morning rocket fire from Gaza shatters brief overnight calm |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/tense-calm-in-southern-israel-after-a-day-of-rockets-airstrikes/}}</ref> In one of the attacks, the IAF attacked a Palestinian rocket squad. The Palestinians reported that two people were killed and two injured in this attack.<ref name="toimorning13"/> Among the sites hit by the IAF were rocket caches and a PIJ training base in [[Gaza City]], which also housed a factory for rocket parts, the IDF claimed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=13 November 2019 |title=Army says it hit Islamic Jihad camp, training base |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/army-says-it-hit-islamic-jihad-camp-training-base/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-striking-islamic-jihad-in-gaza/|title=IDF striking Islamic Jihad in Gaza|date=13 November 2019|work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> The number of killed by IAF strikes in Gaza rose to 26 on this day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gaza-death-toll-up-to-26/|title=Gaza death toll up to 26|date=13 November 2019|work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> The IDF claimed that out of the first 24 Gazans who got killed, 20 were terrorists. The IDF provided names and pictures of only nine of them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-its-killed-20-terrorists-preparing-to-launch-rockets-at-israel/|title=IDF says it's killed 20 terrorists preparing to launch rockets at Israel|date=13 November 2019|work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> Among those killed in Israeli airstrikes are a PIJ field commander and a Palestinian father and two of his sons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Three members of one family among Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5624852,00.html |work=[[Ynet]] |date=13 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> As a result of the fighting, the Friday Palestinian riots on the Gaza border were canceled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rasgon |first1=Adam |date=13 November 2019 |title=Friday Gaza border protest canceled |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/friday-gaza-border-protest-canceled/}}</ref>

By night, over 400 rockets were reportedly fired from Gaza on Israel since the beginning of the hostilities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |last2=Zitun |first2=Yoav |date=13 November 2019 |title=Israeli official: Gaza fighting could end tonight or it could escalate further |work=[[Ynet]] |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5625038,00.html}}</ref> 60% of the rockets hit open fields, while the IDF said the Iron Dome defense system has had a success rate of 90% against rockets that were projected to hit populated areas.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=13 November 2019 |title=IDF: 360 rockets fired at Israel |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-360-rockets-fired-at-israel/}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/gaza-israel-rockets-day-2-islamic-jihad-tel-aviv-hamas-syria-1.8122258|title=Islamic Jihad Chief Sets Out Terms for Gaza Cease-fire After Two Days of Clashes With Israel|date=13 November 2019|work=Haaretz|access-date=13 November 2019|language=en}}</ref> Most of the rockets fired that day were aimed at the Israeli communities in the vicinity of Gaza, with a few reaching [[Ashdod]], some 25 kilometers north of Gaza, and further.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/rocket-downed-over-ashdod/|title=Rocket downed over Ashdod|date=13 November 2019|work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> The PIJ spokesman Abu Hamza has claimed the group had hit sensitive Israeli military sites, a fact being [[Israeli Military Censor|censored by Israel]], according to his account. He also claimed that Israel censored the damage caused to factories, headquarters, civilian houses in Gaza's vicinity and urban areas. Israeli media has released several pictures and videos of direct hits in Israeli communities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Al-Quds Brigade claims Israel covering up scope of damage |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/al-quds-brigade-claims-israel-covering-up-scope-of-damage/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=13 November 2019}}</ref> In a statement given by PIJ leader al-Nakhalah, he did not mention any military sites that were hit, and said that despite the minor damage caused to the cities, the message was delivered, as many cities in Israel were "shut down" by the sirens.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-says-up-to-israel-to-end-clash/|title=Islamic Jihad leader says up to Israel to end clash|date=13 November 2019|work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

At noon, a PIJ official stated that the group is not interested in a discussing a ceasefire with Israel at the moment and will only do so after the "message" to Israel is delivered.<ref name=":1" /> As the firing continued, PIJ leader Ziad al-Nakhalah headed to [[Cairo]] in the evening to discuss ceasefire attempts with the Egyptians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Islamic Jihad leader in Cairo for talks — report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-in-cairo-for-talks-report/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=13 November 2019}}</ref> [[United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process]], [[Nickolay Mladenov]], also arrived at Cairo that night. An Israeli official had confirmed that talks are being held between Israel and the PIJ.<ref name=":0" /> Al-Nakhalah detailed the PIJ terms for a ceasefire in an interview to the Lebanese [[Al Mayadeen]] TV channel. He demanded Israel to take measures to ease the [[Blockade of the Gaza Strip]], stop the targeted killings in the [[West Bank]] and Gaza Strip, and stop using live ammunition against violent protesters on the border fence with Gaza.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2"/> Few hours after the interview was aired, a rocket barage from Gaza has reached the city of [[Rehovot]], some 25 kilometers from [[Tel Aviv]]. The IAF attacked a PIJ naval base near [[Khan Yunis]] in the southern Gaza Strip in retaliation. Israeli sources claimed that the PIJ was trying to create a false impression of achievements. As rocket attacks continued in southern Israel by midnight, 8 people were killed in an Israeli attack in [[Deir al-Balah]]. Palestinian sources stated that among them were two women and five youth, all civilians.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/islamic-jihad-israel-gaza-rockets-ceasefire-tel-aviv-hamas-syria-1.8122258|title=Israel Strikes Islamic Jihad Positions Following Rockets Launched From Gaza After Cease-fire|date=14 November 2019|work=[[Haaretz]]}}</ref>

===14 November===
On 14 November PIJ said an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel had been agreed. The truce was in force from 5:30am local time (03:30 GMT), according to PIJ's spokesman, Musab al-Braim.<ref name="ceasefireAJ" /> He claimed that "Israel has surrendered to the conditions of the resistance". Despite these statements, less than an hour after the truce officially began a rocket barage was fired Israeli communities in the Gaza vicinity. Later, rockets were fired at [[Ashkelon]] and [[Netivot]], where a shrapnel fell near a kindergarten. As the rocket attacks and air strikes ended, Israel has gradually lifted all of the security restrictions on its citizens until all communities were allowed to go back to normal life at noon.<ref name=":3" /> Later in the day, the truce was violated by Palestinian Islamic Jihad four times, leading the IDF to respond by striking Rafah.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |title=IDF launches fresh strikes in Gaza in response to rocket attacks |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-launches-fresh-strikes-in-gaza-in-response-to-rocket-attacks/ |access-date=2019-11-15 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Casualties and damage==
A total of 34 people were killed in Gaza during the 48 hours of clashes. According to Israel 25 of them were militants.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |date=14 November 2019 |title=Tenuous calm holds after Israel-Gaza ceasefire initially broken by rocket fire |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/fresh-barrage-of-rockets-fired-at-israel-hours-after-idf-confirms-gaza-ceasefire/ |access-date=14 November 2019 |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The Palestinian Labour Minister in Gaza estimated the damage caused by Israel's attacks at half a million [[United States dollar|US Dollars]]. The IDF has reported that 450 rockets were fired from Gaza since the beginning of the clashes before dawn on 12 November.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="ceasefireAJ" />

==See also==
*[[Gaza–Israel clashes (May 2019)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Israel–Gaza conflict}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2019, 11, Gaza-Israel clashes}}
[[Category:2019 in Israel|Gaza, 11]]
[[Category:2019 in the Gaza Strip|Israel, 11]]
[[Category:Aerial operations and battles involving Israel|Gaza, 11]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2019|Gaza, 11]]
[[Category:Explosions in 2019|Gaza]]
[[Category:Gaza–Israel conflict]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2019|Gaza]]
[[Category:Israel–Gaza Strip border]]
[[Category:Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:November 2019 events in Asia|Gaza]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Israel in 2019|Gaza]]