Jerusalem, 10 August, 2022 (TPS) — At least 12 terrorists were eliminated in Israeli strikes during the 55 hours of Operation Breaking Dawn over the weekend, the IDF said.

The IDF launched an “initiated and focused operation against the Islamic Jihad in order to restore peace and security to the State of Israel and thwart direct threats against its citizens.”

In an initial summary of the operation, the IDF said it “achieved a number of significant achievements” in its attacks on the Islamic Jihad terror organization in the Gaza Strip, chief among them the elimination of two senior members of the organization: Taysir al-Jabari, the commander of the northern division in the Gaza Strip, and Khaled Mansour, the commander of the southern division.

“The two were involved in carrying out many terrorist attacks and launching rockets towards Israeli territory,” the IDF stated. Their death essentially leaves the terror organization with no senior command.

Another 10 Islamic Jihad terrorists were eliminated, some of them prominent, including Khatab ‘Amasi, Islamic Jihad’s commanding officer of the Rafah Brigade,  and Ziad Madalal, Mansour’s deputy.

The Israeli forces also demolished dozens of terror targets, including 17 observation posts on the border, of which six were manned, 45 rocket launching targets, eight outposts, eight weapons warehouses, six weapons production sites, three targets of Islamic Jihad’s naval unit, and an attack tunnel.

The military further noted that it focused its efforts on attacking specific targets that included weapons production workshops and the development of military capabilities.

“Attacking these targets, by using heavy munitions, will make it significantly more difficult for the Islamic Jihad to increase its military capabilities and produce a new military force,” the IDF said.

Out of about 1,175 explosive projectiles launched by the terrorists from the Gaza Strip into Israel, about 200 failed and exploded inside the Gaza Strip, meaning that about 20% of the rockets launched by the terrorists hit targets in Gaza. On Saturday, a failed launch that exploded in the Jabalia neighborhood, killed at least seven Gazans, including four children, and injured many. A day later, a failed launch that landed in Al Buraij neighborhood killed four Gazans, including three children.

The IDF further highlighted the success of the Iron Dome defense system, with a 97% interception rate. Over the years, and with the reoccurring counterterrorism operations in the Gaza Strip, the defense system has dramatically improved its capabilities.

In November 2012, during Operation Pillar of Defense, the Iron Dome had an 86% interception rate. In 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, the rate improved to 89%. Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021 saw a 94% interception rate, which peaked in Operation Breaking Dawn.

Rockets that slipped through the defense lines caused damage to property. Dozens of Israeli were treated for light injuries incurred while running for shelter and for shock.