{IRA} The Gaza conflict in numbers
- After seven days of fighting between Hamas, the Palestinian Islamists
who run Gaza, and Israel, a ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, is expected by
the evening of November 20th.
- Israel has not yet confirmed the
ceasefire but has put plans for a ground invasion on hold.
- Diplomatic
efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed are intensifying.
- Ban Ki-moon,
the UN's secretary-general, arrived in Israel on November 20th after
meeting the head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, in
Cairo.
- Hillary Clinton, America's secretary of state, is also set to
arrive in Israel.
- A ceasefire may bring an end to the violence, in which
over 100 Palestinians and three Israelis have died since November 14th,
but the challenge for both sides will be whether they can translate a
renewed informal understanding into something more lasting.
Israel’s Iron Dome vs Hamas rockets
- Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system is designed to attack
short-range rockets and shells.
- Israeli Defense Minister said
on Sunday that of 300 attempted Iron Dome interceptions in the past
five days, about 85 per cent had succeeded. That’s 255 missiles
intercepted, 45 missed. Not a bad interception ratio, all in all,
although try telling that to the people those 45 landed on.
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