Much of Israel is under a “Code Red” alert and bomb shelters are open for people seeking shelter after suspected Hamas militants fired scores of rockets at various targets, following the most recent Israeli barrage into Gaza.  Officials said Israel’s Iron Dome defenses intercepted two missiles, but the reality is that it likely managed to stop a lot more.

Air raid sirens sounded out over Tel Aviv Tuesday evening as people ran for shelter.  Some folks managed to record the rockets flying overhead into civilian areas of Israel.  An examination of one of the projectiles reveals it was a Syrian-made M302 long-range missile, certainly one of the most sophisticated used by Hamas so far.

Israeli air strikes in Gaza were decidedly more effective.  Hamas says at least four of its terrorists were killed, but they were among at least 17 people killed, including five children.  Israel’s military also released video it says shows militants who crossed into Israel from Gaza via the sea to attack a military base – it didn’t go well for the militants.

Israel’s army has been authorized to mobilize 40,000 reservists, and the operation to pacify Gaza to stop the incessant rocket attacks appears to be already underway.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning the nation that “Operation Protective Edge” will it will not be over in a matter of days. 

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is condemning it, and has called an emergency cabinet meeting for Wednesday.  He’s also asking all Palestinian factions to stick together, and says all they want is peace.

All this happened on the day that Israel’s Haaretz news paper published an editorial from US President Barack Obama, who wrote the two state solution is the only hope for the long-term viability of Israel and the Palestinians.