Daily Archives: January 16, 2009

Summary of IDF Operations, 16 Jan 2009, 22:00 IST

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DOTZ

16 Jan 2009

Summary of IDF Operations as of 22:0

Today (Jan. 16), IDF forces operating in the northern Gaza Strip uncovered a house rigged with explosives. The building was detonated in a controlled manner with the assistance of combat engineering forces.

A Paratroopers force identified a squad of gunmen armed with anti-tank weapons and guided the IAF, which enabled a strike to occur.  In another incident, ground forces fired at a cell armed with mortar shells.

Since this afternoon (Jam. 16), the IAF targeted over 25 Hamas targets in Gaza, including:

  • Two launchers used to fire rockets at Ashdod and Qiryat Gat
  • Three bunkers containing weapons and rockets
  • Seven groups of gunmen
  • A tent with Hamas operatives and weapons inside
  • Additional strikes in support of ground operations

Over 20 rockets and mortars were fired from the Gaza Strip and hit Israel. Among the cities hit were Ashdod and Qiryat Gat. Five civilians were reported wounded.

Summary of IDF Operations as of 16:30, 16 Jan 2009, 17:30 IST

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January 16th, 2009

Summary of IDF Operations as of 16:30

115,000 liters of fuel and 109 humanitarian aid trucks passed into the Gaza Strip today.

IDF ground forces operating in the Gaza strip reported hitting at least 20 armed gunmen throughout the day.

In one incident today, a joint combat engineering and tank force uncovered a tunnel containing weaponry and explosive devices. The tunnel was detonated in a controlled manner. A second reported incident included an infantry force from the Golani Brigade identifying a number of armed gunmen planting an explosive device. The force fired at the gunmen. In a third incident, a reserve infantry force identified a squad of gunmen approaching and fired at them.

The IAF attacked approx. 25 Hamas terrorist sites today, including:
*Two smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip used for smuggling weaponry.
*13 rocket launching sites
*Six squads of armed gunmen
*Five targets directed by ground forces
*A building with Hamas terror operatives inside

Over 15 rockets and mortars fired from the Gaza Strip hit the Israel. Amongst the cities hit were Ashdod and Qiryat Gat, where five civilians were reported wounded, one of them seriously.

Summary of Overnight Events, 16 Jan 2009, 09:31 IST

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DOTZ

January 16th, 2009

Summary of IDF Operations Overnight

IDF forces, including infantry, tanks, engineering, artillery, and intelligence, continue to operate throughout the Gaza Strip with the assistance of the Israel Air Force and the Israeli Navy.

In a joint IDF and ISA operation in Gaza City yesterday evening, the IAF targeted a building in which the following senior Hamas operatives were residing – Said Siam, Ia’ad Siam and Salah Abu-Sharah. The forces reported a direct hit.

In one incident, a ground force identified a mortar launching squad launching a rocket at Israel and directed aerial forces that attacked the squad, reporting a direct hit.

The IAF attacked approximately 40 targets in Gaza overnight, including:

  •  A mosque used as a weapons storage facility that housed a tunnel
  • A house of a Hamas terror operative
  • Six squads of armed gunmen
  • Four tunnels
  • Eight launching sites, including one in which an armed launcher was destroyed
  • Three weapons storage facilities, including a structure in a Hamas training camp
  • A number of explosive devices
  • Two Hamas outposts
  •  Additional targets as assistance to ground forces

The Israeli Navy continued to support ground forces operating in Gaza, striking Hamas targets while it continues to enforce the naval blockade in the area.

Seventy five trucks loaded with humanitarian aid are expected to be transferred via the Kerem Shalom crossing. An additional sixty trucks are expected to be transferred via the Karni crossing, as well as fuel via the Nahal Oz fuel terminal.