Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 27, 2018.
The Israeli military is on high alert over its U.S.-funded “Iron Dome” air defense system, which shot to international fame, after it seems to have been overwhelmed by the intensity of Palestinian missiles.
The anti-rocket system intercepted only 100 out of 460 missiles fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in last three days, according to reports.
Over the course of the last three days, at least 14 Palestinians in have been martyred in Gaza -- by Israeli airstrikes and artillery -- across the blockaded Palestinian territory.
On Sunday night, an Israeli officer was killed -- and another injured -- in a botched ground operation in Gaza.
Tensions appeared to ease slightly late Tuesday after Israel and Gaza-based resistance factions agreed to an Egypt-brokered cease-fire.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday resigned from his post, one day after a cease-fire was reached between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel."I didn't look for reasons to quit," Lieberman told a press conference.He cited Tuesday’s ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip and Qatari funds for the blockaded Palestinian territory as reasons for his resignation."What we are doing now as a country is buying short-term quiet at the cost of our long-term security,” he said. "I did not agree to allow entry of Qatari money [into Gaza], and I had to allow it only after the prime minister announced it."Israelis call for Netanyahu to resign over Gaza truceAhead of his press conference Lieberman announced his resignation at a closed-door meeting of members of his Yisrael Beiteinu party, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority."I am here to officially announce my resignation as defense minister,” he was quoted as saying. “What happened yesterday -- the agreement with Hamas -- is a surrender to terror; there’s no other interpretation,” Lieberman said.The hardline defense minister’s resignation could lead to the dissolution of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), according to sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Palestinian resistance group Hamas has hailed Lieberman’s resignation as a “political victory” for the Gaza Strip.Israeli PM defends Gaza ceasefire deal"Lieberman’s resignation is a political victory for Gaza, whose steadfastness has succeeded in causing a political shake in the [Israeli] occupation arena," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Twitter."[The resignation] is also a sign of defeat and helplessness in the face of the Palestinian resistance," he added. Since Sunday, at least 14 Palestinians have been martyred -- by Israeli airstrikes and artillery -- across the blockaded Gaza Strip. At least one Israeli officer was reportedly killed and another injured.Late on Tuesday, an Egypt-brokered truce was reached between Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance factions. 
Israel’s Lieberman resigns as defense minister
Palestinians renew their missile system
Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, told reporters Palestinians upgraded their rocket system and that Israel assumes Hamas used Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles during their last airstrike.
Yeni Şafak daily’s Hamas sources have also confirmed that the missiles were upgraded but refused to divulge the details about the new system.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday abruptly resigned from his post one day after a ceasefire was reached between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel.
Scores of Israelis demonstrated outside the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) on Wednesday to demand Netanyahu’s resignation, accusing him of “betraying” the people of southern Israel.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to have persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go to war in Gaza in a bid to divert attention from the Khashoggi case. According to a report published by the English-language Middle East Eye news website, the Saudi monarch tried to convince Netanyahu of going to war with Hamas in Gaza, which would help alleviate pressure mounting on the kingdom following the fallout from the Khashoggi murder. Khashoggi, a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.Turkey not satisfied by Saudi prosecutor comments on Khashoggi: FMAfter weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of any plot to murder the journalist.So far, 18 people -- including security officers -- have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in connection with the murder.The report, citing sources inside the Saudi kingdom, claims an escalation of the conflict in Gaza was among several scenarios proposed by an emergency task force established to counter mounting pressure on the oil-rich kingdom as more chilling details about the Khashoggi murder became known.Khashoggi’s body dismembered inside Istanbul consulate: Saudi prosecutorThe task force is said to be composed of officials from the royal court, foreign and defense ministries, and the intelligence service who brief the crown prince every six hours. The force advised bin Salman that a war in Gaza would divert U.S. President Donald Trump’s attention away from the Khashoggi killing, and would serve to remind him that the Kingdom is an asset to Washington when it comes to “bolstering Israel’s strategic interests.”According to the MEE report penned by MEE editor David Hearst, Netanyahu was “very eager” to help bin Salman, according to anonymous Israeli sources, as Riyadh and Tel Aviv’s secret rapprochement continues after the kingdom became a key player in Trump’s “Deal of the Century” plan.Prince Salman’s right hand men the royal family fearsOver the course of the last three days, at least 14 Palestinians in have been martyred in Gaza -- by Israeli airstrikes and artillery -- across the blockaded Palestinian territory.On Sunday night, an Israeli officer was killed -- and another injured -- in a botched ground operation in Gaza.Tensions appeared to ease slightly late Tuesday after Israel and Gaza-based resistance factions agreed to an Egypt-brokered cease-fire.World wondering who ordered Khashoggi killing, says AK Party spoxErdoğan says Khashoggi recordings 'appalling', shocked Saudi intelligenceTell your boss: Saudi kill team recordings connect Prince Salman to Khashoggi murder
Israel’s Gaza war part of bin Salman plot to distract world from Khashoggi killing