The IDF has announced that there were 35 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel in 2017, 99 terror attacks and 20 persons murdered in the attacks and 169 wounded.

Most of the rockets fire landed in open areas. The IDF targeted 59 terrorist objectives in Gaza. Of the rockets fired from Gaza, most fell in the past two months as the situation continues to escalate.

For the sake of comparison, 21 rockets were fired in 2015 and 15 in 2016.

Regarding the 99 terror attacks, the number includes attempted attacks throughout Yehuda and Shomron. There was a considerable decline from 2016 during which there were 269 attacks. There was however an increase in the number of people killed in 2017, 20 as compared to 17 in 2016, with 263 wounded. In 2015, that number was higher, 28 and 360 wounded.

During 2017, IDF soldiers arrested 3,617 Palestinians suspected of terrorist activities as compared to 3,143 arrests in 2016.

927 Syrians received medical care in Israel. 12,329 hygienic items were distributed to them along with 13 generators, 2,124 cases of medicine, 694 tons of food, 500,000 liters of fuel, 6,351 packages of diapers and 14,138 cartons of Materna baby/children formula.

64 million shekels was used to assist soldiers requiring financial assistance. Approximately 19,000 soldiers from special populations served and 7,000 soldiers were classified as ‘lone soldiers’.

On the average, there were 1,375 soldiers serving mandatory service, of which 389 are combatants as well as parents to small children, signaling the increase in the number of chareidim serving.

The IDF this year received 30 new Merkava 4 tanks, 30 Nemarim trucks, 7 Adir (F-35) fighter planes, 21,000 gun sights, and 120 Savana vans.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)