Monthly Archives: January 2009

IDF Chief of Staff Meeting with US Envoy to Middle East, 29 Jan 2009, 13:30 IST

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29 January 2009, 13:30

IDF Chief of Staff Meeting With United States Envoy to the Middle East

This morning (Jan.29), the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, met with the United States envoy to the Middle East, Mr. George Mitchell, who came to Israel as a portion of his current visit to the Middle East.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi presented Mitchell with the main points of Israeli security operations regarding the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and the goals of the recent Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip. In addition, they discussed the security challenges faced by the IDF and Israel, the strategic situation in the Middle East, and the need to address the global threat of terror.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi praised the strategic and security cooperation and the relationship between the United States and Israel . He wished Mr. Mitchell luck throughout his mission to the region.

IAF Response to Attack that Killed IDF Warrant Officer, 29 Jan 2009, 12:43 IST

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DOTZ29 January 2009, 12:43

IAF Responds to Attack That Killed IDF Warrant Officer

Today (Jan. 29), an aerial attack was carried out against Machmad Uda Chamdan Samiri, 25, a known terror operative of the Global Jihad terror organization in the Gaza strip. Samiri is a former Hamas terror operative who received military training from Hamas.

Samiri was part of the squad responsible for the detonation of the explosive devices near Kisufim last week, which killed an IDF warrant officer and wounded three additional IDF soldiers. In addition, Samiri took part in the detonation of an explosive device that killed two IDF soldiers near Kisufim in March 2008.

As the sole authority in the Gaza Strip, Hamas bears full responsibility for all terrorist activity coming from Gaza. The IDF will respond to any terror attacks in accordance with decisions made by the Israeli government.

IAF Hits Hamas Smuggling Tunnels, 28 Jan 2009, 09:45 IST

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January 28th, 2009

IDF hits Hamas Smuggling Tunnels in Response to the Attack that killed an IDF Warrant Officer

IAF aircraft recently hit a number of Hamas smuggling tunnels on the Southern border of the Gaza Strip. This was in response to the attack against an IDF force in the area of Kissufim on the morning of January 27th, in which one IDF Warrant Officer was killed and three other IDF personnel were wounded, including one severe injury, when Palestinians detonated an explosive device against an IDF force patrolling on the Israeli side of the Gaza Strip security fence.

Yesterday evening, IAF aircraft, using intelligence provided by the ISA, attacked a terror operative in Khan Younes, who was prominent in the organization accountable for the attack in Kissufim.

The IDF sees Hamas as accountable for preserving the peace in Israel’s southern villages and will respond harshly to any attempt of undermining it.

Explosive Device Detonated Near Gaza Security Fence, 27 Jan 2009, 13:24 IST

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January 27th, 2009

Explosive Device detonated against IDF Patrol near the Gaza Security Fence

An explosive device was detonated this morning against an IDF force patrolling on the Israel side of the Gaza Strip security fence, north of the Israeli community of Kissufim.

One noncommissioned officer was killed, one officer was severely wounded and two soldiers were lightly wounded in the incident. The wounded were evacuated to hospitals and their families have been informed.

GOC Southern Command Daily Orders, 23 Jan 2009, 11:11 IST

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January 23rd, 2009

Daily Orders by GOC Southern Command

Fighters and Commanders of the IDF in the Southern Front,

For the last month, IDF forces, both in reserve and regular service, together with forces of the ISA, operated in a concentrated campaign against terrorism in the Gaza Strip. Operation Cast Lead was initiated on December 27th, [the sixth day of the Holiday of Chanukah], when an aerial attack was directed against central terrorist command centers and outposts. The operation continued in the weeks to follow in a ground campaign aimed at terrorist sites throughout all of Gaza.

After years of continuous intentional terror attacks on Israeli civilians in southern Israel, the operation brought forth a new security situation, making clear that Israel will not allow its existence in this region to be doubted or questioned.

IDF fighters on the ground, in the air, and at sea, operated out of a strong belief in the righteousness of our way and demonstrated a steadfast fighting spirit, ambition, and a maintenance of the goal of this mission, while operating with a sense of comradeship and brotherhood in arms.

The cooperation between the various operating forces, as well as the presence of commanders in the front lines, were central factors behind the operation’s success.

The defense of our right to a safe and peaceful life in Israel had once again come at a high cost. 13 of Israel’s finest – fighters, commanders and civilians – were lost in the campaign for the security of Israel’s south. We lower our heads and our flag in honor of their memory, and mourn with their families. We extend a wish of full recovery to the wounded, and once more emphasize that we will do our utmost to return the kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit, to the warmth of his family.

The battle for the security of the state of Israel is yet to be over. We shall look onward, to the challenges of the future, knowing that we will successfully engage them, thanks to the righteousness of our way and our courageous spirit.

The Southern Command expresses its appreciation to the corps of the IDF for defending Israel and its people.

Yoav Galant,

Major General GOC Southern Command

Intelligence Maps: Hamas Uses Mosques and Schools for Cover, 22 Jan 2009, 12:15 IST

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This map shows the way that a roadside explosive had been laid on a road south of Khan Younis with the control wire leading from the nearby mosque.This map shows the way that a roadside explosive had been laid on a road south of Khan Younis with the control wire leading from the nearby mosque.  Location: E+034°18’18N+031”17’34 WGS84 S

Hamas rocket launching site located adjacent to a mosque in the Shaati Refugee Camp.Hamas rocket launching site located adjacent to a mosque in the Shaati Refugee Camp. Location: E+034°27’06 N+031°32’28 WGS84S

Hamas military camp adjacent to school in the northern Gaza Strip.Hamas military camp adjacent to school in the northern Gaza Strip. Location: E+034°28’52 N+031°30’29 WSG84 S.

Rocket and Population Map, 21 Jan 2009

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rocketpopmap1This map shows the rocket ranges as they relate to the population of southern Israel, and how much time people have to take cover given the distance the rocket travels. Those living in the 10 kilometer range have 15 seconds to find safety once the alarm sounds, those in the 20 km range have 30 seconds, 30 km – 45 seconds,  and 40 km a minute. With the increased range of the rocket fire from Gaza, nearly 1 million people, or a seventh of Israel’s population live in danger and under threat from rocket attacks. The goal of operation Cast Lead has been to reduce the number of rocket attacks against the inhabitants of southern Israel.

Population Figures (numbers from 2007):

  • Ashkelon – 108,900
  • Ashdod – 207,000
  • Yavne – 32,200
  • Gadera – 17,700
  • Kiryat Malachi – 19,600
  • Kiryat Gat – 7,800
  • Sderot – 19,300
  • Be’er Sheva – 531, 000
  • Ofakim – 24,700
  • Netivot – 25,600