Operation Rainbow

(Mivtza Keshet Be'anan)

   Israeli military operation described as the "largest offensive in Gaza since 1967." The declared goal of the operation, which began on 18 May 2004, was to clear out the terrorist infrastructure, find weapons-smuggling tunnels connecting the Gaza Strip to Egypt, and prevent the shipment of antiaircraft and antitank missiles into Gaza. The immediate precipitating cause of the operation was the killing of 13 Israeli soldiers in terrorist attacks in Zeitoun and Rafah. Militarily, Operation Rainbow was a success. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), three weapons-smuggling tunnels were located and dismantled. Forty armed terrorists were killed, while more than 100 others were injured. Comprehensive arrests of wanted terrorists were undertaken. The IDF also succeeded in securing the ability for operational activity along the Gaza border.

   See also Hamas (Harakat Al-Mugawama Al-Islamiya); Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ; Harakat Al-Jihad Al-Islami Al-Filastini); Suicide Bombings.