PM Benjaimn Netanyahu
PM Benjaimn NetanyahuKobi Gideon / GPO

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation this evening (Wednesday), two days into Operation Shield and Arrow.

"Our forces are attacking even at this hour, and anyone who attacks us receives the message that it is on their head," Netanyahu said.

He stated: "We dealt the Islamic Jihad in Gaza the hardest blow in its history. Within seconds, three of its leaders were killed. Up to this moment, not a single Israeli citizen has been harmed."

According to him, the campaign is not over yet. "We have created a new equation - we decide when to strike the leaders of the terrorist organizations. We are sending a message to the terrorists: we see you everywhere and choose when to strike you - even when it is calm."

Earlier, a political source confirmed that contacts had been made on a possible ceasefire after Egyptian media reported that a ceasefire was already in effect. A barrage of an estimated 60 rockets was fired at southern and central Israel after the ceasefire was reported in a period of a few minutes.

Over 300 rockets have been fired at Israel today. A home, kindergarten, and yeshiva were struck by rockets, causing no injuries.

The David's Sling missile defense system performed its first successful interception of rocket in a combat scenario this afternoon when a rocket fired at Tel Aviv was intercepted.

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari stated that the security establishment feels that the objectives of Operation Shield and Arrow have been achieved. "The purpose of the operation was to kill those senior Palestinian Islamic officials Jihad who presented a challenge to the security stability of the region. During the 48 hours of the operation, the following achievements were made: we attacked infrastructure targets of Islamic Jihad, we thwarted its rocket production capabilities, we thwarted its squads that intended to launch anti-tank missiles toward the State of Israel, we killed squads that intended to fire rockets and in the last few hours the Air Force planes have been attacking underground rocket launchers. Islamic Jihad fired in response at the territory of the State of Israel. 25% of its launches were unsuccessful and fell within the territory of the Gaza Strip."

According to Gen. Hagari, "The goals of the operation were achieved already in its first minutes. We in this operation acted in a targeted manner against Islamic Jihad. We attacked those who shot at us and we will continue to do so. Until there is an official announcement of a ceasefire, we will not discuss the matter and are strongly prepared for defense and attack."