The Official Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has been live Tweeting and live blogging a military operation in the Gaza Strip today. The most recent Tweet is a video in which the IDF targeted Ahmed Jabri, the head of Hamas’ military wing, in the Gaza Strip.

The video is graphic in nature, depicting a pinpoint strike on Jabri’s military vehicle.

The IDF also Tweeted this picture only minutes after the strike was made.

This is headlining the IDF’s live blog, an explanation as to why the strikes are being carried out and to what extent.

In response to the incessant rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip – more than 700 have struck Israel since the beginning of the year, and more than 120 since Saturday – the IDF has launched a widespread campaign against terror targets in Gaza. The operation, called Pillar of Defense, has two main goals: to protect Israeli civilians and to cripple the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.

According to BBC News, the incessant rocket attacks are “more than 110 rockets towards southern Israel since Saturday, when four soldiers were wounded in an anti-tank missile attack on an Israeli army jeep.”

In a televised address, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Today we sent a clear message to to Hamas and other terrorist organisations, and if it becomes necessary we are prepared to expand the operation.”

Israel is the United States’s biggest ally in the Middle East. Since 1985,  America has provided nearly $3 billion in grants annually to Israel, with Israel being the largest annual recipient of American aid from 1976 to 2004 and the largest cumulative recipient of aid since World War II.  During his re-election campaign, President Obama came under fire for reportedly snubbing a visit from the Prime Minister. Tensions rose due to Iran’s nuclear program, though President Obama and Mitt Romney both noted in their debates that the United States would come to Israel’s side in any conflict.