Operation Returning Echo (מבצע הד חוזר) was an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military operation in the Gaza Strip from March 9 until March 14, 2012. It was the worst outbreak of violence covered by the media in the region since the 2008–2009 Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead).

On March 9, Israel carried out a targeted air strike in the Gaza Strip killing Zohair al-Qaisi, the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). Another militant was also killed in the strike, as well as seriously injuring a man nearby. According to the IDF, though the PRC denies this, Al-Qaisi had overseen the 2011 southern Israel cross-border attacks, which killed eight Israelis including six civilians. Israeli officials said that he was preparing the final stages of a new mega-attack that could have claimed multiple lives. Palestinian militant groups retaliated by launching rocket attacks on Israel, with over 300 Grad missiles, Qassam rockets and mortar shells launched, of which 177 hit Israeli territory striking the major urban centers of Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba, as well as smaller communities. Twenty-three Israelis were injured, all of them civilians, and schools throughout southern Israel were kept closed for most of the week to protect students from rocket fire. Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted many of the Palestinian-launched projectiles aimed at large cities, shooting down 56 rockets in 71 attempts.

Israel attacked with 37 air strikes on Gazan weapons storage facilities, rocket launching sites, weapon manufacturing facilities, training bases, posts, tunnels and militants, killing 22, mostly from Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the others from the Popular Resistance Committees. Four civilians were killed as well. Another 74 Palestinians were reportedly injured during the conflict, mostly civilians. Some deaths and injuries among Palestinian civilians during the escalation, which were reported as casualties of the clashes, were later shown to be unrelated to Israeli actions.

The United States, France, and an official from the United Nations condemned the Palestinian attacks, and the US stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, Syria, Egypt and Iran condemned Israel's responsive air strikes on militants. On March 13, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. Hamas did not participate in the fighting directly, and insisted that all-out war would "be devastating to the Palestinian people."

Background

On August 18, 2011, a series of cross-border parallel attacks and mutual cover was carried out in southern Israel on Highway 12 near the Egyptian border by a squad of presumably 12 militants in four groups. The militants first opened fire at an Egged No. 392 bus as it was traveling on Highway 12 in the Negev near Eilat. Several minutes later, a bomb was detonated next to an Israeli army patrol along Israel's border with Egypt. In a third attack, an anti-tank missile hit a private vehicle, killing four civilians. Eight Israelis – six civilians, one Yamam special Unit police officer and one Golani Brigade soldier—were killed in the multiple-stage attack. The Israeli security forces reported eight attackers killed, and Egyptian security forces reported killing another two.

Chronology of events

March 9 In the afternoon, a strike on a car in Gaza City killed Zohair al-Qaisi, the secretary-general of the Popular Resistance Committees, and his collaborator, Mahmoud Hanani. According to Israel, al-Qaisi was killed because he was in the process of organizing a large terrorist attack to be carried out on Israel's border with Gaza. Al-Qaisi was one of the masterminds of the 2011 southern Israel cross-border attacks, which killed eight Israelis. Hanani was one of the Palestinians freed from Israel as part of the deal to free Gilad Shalit in 2011.

On the same day, Palestinians increased the daily rocket barrage on Israel injuring three persons and causing a traffic accident in which two were wounded. The Israeli Air Force killed 15 more militants and a civilian in retaliatory attacks. The Iron Dome successfully intercepted 90% of the rockets targeted. On March 10, attacks on Israel continued, without causing damage. Several Palestinians were killed while preparing to fire rockets. Militants fired guns in the air and crowds chanted "Revenge, revenge!" during funeral processions in Gaza City. Particulars of individual Palestinian rocket attacks on March 9: Two mortar shells were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. In the early evening, at least four Grad missiles fired at Ashdod, Gan Yavne and Kiryat Malachi were intercepted by Iron Dome. Late in the evening, several rockets were fired at Beersheba. Some landed on the outskirts of the city, and at least one was intercepted by Iron Dome. Six Qassam rockets were fired on the Shaar Hanegev, Sdot Negev and Eshkol regional councils.

March 10 Particulars of Palestinian rocket attacks: During the night, a rocket fired at Beersheba damaged a building and activated air raid sirens. Residents fled to shelters. A second rocket fired at the city was intercepted by Iron Dome. Two rockets fired at Ashdod were intercepted by Iron Dome. A rocket fired at Beersheba from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open area. Two rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. A rocket exploded near Sderot. The Color Red alarm sounded in the area. A Qassam rocket exploded in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. Two rockets fired at Ashkelon were intercepted by Iron Dome. Two rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. A rocket exploded near Netivot, while another landed near Sderot. Shortly before 2 pm, a Qassam rocket exploded in a farm in the Eshkol Regional Council. Two rockets hit the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council within the space of an hour. Two rockets hit the Eshkol Regional Council. Two rockets fired at Ashdod were intercepted by Iron Dome. The Color Red alarm sounded in the city. After nightfall, shrapnel from a rocket intercepted over Ashkelon by Iron Dome fell on a home in the city. A rocket landed near a farming facility in the Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. A Qassam rocket hit a stable near Kiryat Malachi, killing a horse. Two Grad rockets were fired at Ashkelon. Five rockets exploded in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council.

March 11 As of March 11, over a hundred rockets were fired on Israel in three days. More than thirty rockets were intercepted as of March 11, only those that were heading towards population centres. Overnight, IAF struck new targets in Gaza, killing two Palestinians.

Palestinians fired at least 39 rockets into Israel on March 11. Particulars of individual attacks: In the morning, two rockets were fired into Israel, one into the Eshkol Regional Council and one at Ashkelon. Later in the morning, several rockets were fired at Ashdod, at least one of which was intercepted by Iron Dome. Shrapnel from a rocket fired at Beersheba and intercepted by Iron Dome fell on the city. A vehicle and a sewer pipe were damaged and several residents suffered from shock. A rocket hit a school in Beersheba, exploding in its courtyard and damaging its outer walls and disconnecting parts of the neighborhood from landlines. A second rocket landed in the middle of a residential neighborhood in the city; fifteen homes were damaged and several residents suffered from shock. Two rockets were launched at Ofakim. Three Qassam rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Two rockets fired at Ashkelon were intercepted by Iron Dome. Two Qassam rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council. Late at night, four Grad rockets were fired at Ashkelon. Some were intercepted by Iron Dome.

March 12 On March 12, Israel carried out nine raids against military targets.

Islamic Jihad confirmed two of its members were killed. In another attack, five civilians were struck. A 16-year-old school boy was killed on March 12, though his death was later shown to be unrelated to Israeli actions.Israel denies boy killed on way to school was drone victim , AFP (published in the Sydney Morning Herald) 13-03-2012 24 people, including children, were wounded in a pre-dawn strike on Gaza city.

Schools in southern Israel remained closed.

Palestinians fired 42 rockets into Israel. Particulars of individual attacks: During the night, seven Qassam rockets were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. One landed in a village and damaged several homes and vehicles. In the morning, three rockets were fired at Beersheba. One was intercepted by Iron Dome and the two others landed outside the city. A warning siren sounded in the city. In the morning, five rockets fired at Ashdod were intercepted by Iron Dome. At least one additional rocket landed near the city. The Color Red alarm sounded in the city and surrounding areas. Two trucks that were transporting goods from Israel into the Gaza Strip were damaged by mortar shells on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing. A Qassam rocket landed in the Eshkol Regional Council. Two Qassam rockets landed in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. Around 1 pm, two Grad rockets exploded near Beersheba. Air raid sirens sounded in the city. Around 1:30 pm, a Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 1:30 pm, one or two rockets landed near Gedera. Two vehicles were damaged, and several people suffered from shock. It is the most northern target to be hit by the Palestinians, located 28 kilometres (17 mi) south-east of Tel Aviv and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) east of Ashdod. Around 2:30 pm, three rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 2:30 pm, a rocket exploded in Ashdod. Two people were injured by shrapnel, and several other people suffered from shock. Damage was caused to stores and a vehicle. Two other rockets fired at the city were intercepted by Iron Dome. Around 4:30 pm, a rocket exploded near Ofakim. Around 5 pm, a rocket fired at Ashdod was intercepted by Iron Dome. Around 6:30 pm, two rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 8 pm, two rockets fired at Ashkelon were intercepted by Iron Dome. A third rocket landed in an open area. Air raid sirens sounded in the city. Around 9 pm, two mortar shells were fired into Israel. Around 10 pm, a Qassam rocket exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council.

March 13

An informal ceasefire was reached early on March 13. Palestinians fired at least 7 rockets and 10 mortars at Israel throughout the day. Particulars of individual attacks: Before morning, a rocket exploded in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. In the morning, a mortar shell landed in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council. In the morning, a Qassam rocket exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 10:30 am, a mortar shell fired at the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council set off the Color Red alarm in the area, but it apparently landed within the Gaza Strip. Around noon, six mortar shells were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 7 pm, a Qassam rocket was fired into the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council. Around 8 pm, a mortar shell was fired into the Eshkol Regional Council. Around 11 pm, a rocket exploded in a parking lot in Netivot. A 40-year-old man was injured by shrapnel, and 20 people were treated for shock. Several vehicles were damaged. IAF aircraft struck targets in Gaza in retaliation during early morning of March 14.

March 14