4 January 2009
Today, Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, visited Palmahim Air Force Base. During the visit he toured various squadrons and spoke with pilots. “We must reach the point where we, as an army, are keeping the south safe,” said Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi.
In the photo: Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and the Palmahim base commander, Brig. Gen. Itai Reiss.
Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson.
SSgt. Dvir Emmanueloff
The Israel Defense Forces extends its gratitude and condolences to the family of SSgt. Dvir Emmanueloff, 22, of the Golani infantry brigade. Originially from Givat Ze’ev near Jerusalem, SSgt. Emmanueloff was killed in action by a mortar bomb fired by Hamas terror operatives.
January 4th, 2009
Summary of Events since the Morning
Approximately thirty rockets were launched today from the Gaza Strip to Israel, at least 12 of them were Grad rockets.
IDF forces, including infantry, tanks, combat engineers, artillery, and intelligence, continue to operate throughout the Gaza Strip with the assistance of the Israel Air Force and the Israeli Navy.
Dozens of armed Hamas gunmen were hit in different exchanges of fire with IDF forces since the beginning of the ground operation.
During one of the heavy fire exchanges near Jebaliya this morning (northern Gaza Strip), An IDF soldier was killed and another was critically wounded. The soldier received initial medical treatment on location and was evacuated to a hospital for further care. Both families have been notified.
Furthermore, the IAF attacked over 15 sites, including rocket launching sites and squads, armed gunmen, and a smuggling tunnel, as well as targeted three senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization:
The attacks were a joint IDF and ISA operation.
The IDF stresses that the residents of Gaza are not the target of the operation. The Hamas terror organization operates amongst civilians, using them as “human shields.” Hamas is solely responsible for all injury caused to them.
Anyone who assists terror activity by hiding a terrorist or weaponry might be hurt. We call all civilians to keep away from rocket launching grounds.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Jt-pV5wuM&feature=PlayList&p=24B346594DCE3F37&index=2]
4 Jan. 2009-The morning after ground forces entered the Gaza Strip, IDF spokesman Capt. Benjamin Rutland provides an operational update on the IDF’s progress in removing Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure and providing a better security situation for southern Israel’s residents.
4 January 2009
Summary of Overnight Activity
The IDF operation continued overnight (Jan.3), with large infantry, tank, engineering, artillery and intelligence forces operating throughout the Gaza Strip, along with the assistance of the Israel Air Force and the Israel Navy.
During exchanges of fire overnight (Jan.3), dozens of armed Hamas operatives were hit by the IDF. IAF planes struck over 45 targets including tunnels, weapons storage facilities, mortar shell launching squads, and a number of mortar shell launching sites.
Israel Navy boats assisted the ground forces and attacked a number of targets including the Hamas intelligence headquarters in Gaza City, rocket launching areas, and Hamas marine force outposts.
An IDF officer and an IDF soldier were severely wounded during the night. The families of the injured officer and soldier have been notified.
In addition, 28 other soldiers were injured moderately and lightly. The soldiers received initial medical treatment at the scene and were transported to the hospital for further treatment.
The IDF will continue to operate against the Hamas terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip according to plan, in order to reduce the rocket fire on the south of Israel.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZOnUG3TIWg&feature=channel_page]
Interviews with and footage of IDF soldiers from the Armor Corps preparing for ground operations in the Gaza Strip. On the evening of January 3, 2009, the second part of Operation “Cast Lead” began as part of Israel’s continuing effort to stop Hamas’ rocket launching campaign against the residents of southern Israel.
January 3rd, 2009
Statement by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Ehud Barak:
“A few hours ago, Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip as part of operation Cast Lead against the Hamas terrorists and their affiliates and infrastructure in Gaza.
So far, the Israeli Defense Forces have dealt an unprecedented heavy blow to Hamas. In order to complete their mission we now launched the ground operation.
I have said all along that our military activities will widen and deepen as much as needed. Our aim is to force Hamas to stop its hostile activities against Israel and Israelis from Gaza, and to bring about a significant change in the situation in Southern part of Israel.
We have carefully weighed all our options. We are not war hungry but we shall not, I repeat – we shall not allow a situation where our towns, villages and civilians are constantly targeted by Hamas. It will not be easy or short, but we are determined.
We are well aware of the humanitarian aspect and are doing and will continue to do everything possible to provide all humanitarian needs to Gaza.
While we are fighting in Gaza, we keep an open eye on the sensitive situation in our northern border. We have no aggressive intentions there. We hope the situation there will remain calm; nevertheless we are ready and alert to face any unwarranted development in that area.
We are peace seekers. We have restrained ourselves for a long time but now is the time to do what needs to be done. We are determined to afford our citizens what any citizen anywhere in the world is entitled to – peace, tranquility and freedom from threats”.
