At 10:30 a.m. ET - Israel launched an operation into Gaza named “Pillar of Defense” as a response to the daily barrage of missiles coming from Gaza. The operation began with the targeted strike which killed, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, the head of Hamas Military wing. Israel's reasoning behind the operations in Gaza. The purpose of this operation is to severely impair the command and control chain of the Hamas leadership, as well as its terrorist infrastructure.

Events that have lead up to Operation “Pillar of Defense” are as follows:

• On November 10, over 120 rockets and additional mortar shells have been fired at southern Israel from Gaza, hitting Sderot, Ashdod, Netivot, and the Eshkol, Shaar Hanegev and Hof Ashkelon councils. Several people suffered injuries on Sunday morning and many have been treated for panic. There has been extensive damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Schools have been cancelled and families sent to the bomb shelters throughout these attacks. Throughout November 11 and into today, rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel continued and increased. In addition, rockets with longer ranges were fired and the damage incurred was greater; 64 rockets including anti-tank rockets were identified on November 11 and more following on the 12th. A number of Israeli civilians were wounded by the rocket fire and two wounded soldiers were airlifted to medical facilities.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta unequivocally stands with the people and state of Israel, especially at this critical time.

We share their pain and outrage at the terrible loss of life and limb as a result of the Hamas campaign of terror and violence launched against Israel.

We stand with Israel as it fulfills its most basic responsibility as a democracy: defending the nation and protecting its citizens.

We stand with Israel in demanding that the Palestinian Authority end the violence and terror, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, end the incitement against Israel and Jews, and live up to all its previous commitments.

We stand with our government and with Israel in combating the global threat of terrorism.

We stand with Israel as it seeks a true and lasting peace that will assure secure and defensible borders, as well as the safety of its citizens and of all the people in the region.

We call on all people of good will to join us in standing with Israel now.