Monthly Archives: January 2009

IDF Maps Reveal Hamas Exploitation of Gazan Residents, 19 Jan 2009, 18:56 IST

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Hamas Deployment in Northern Sector of Gaza City

Hamas Deployment in Northern Sector of Gaza City. (JPEG, 5767K)

Hamas exploits the civilians of the Gaza strip as human shields. Here are two aerial photographs which illustrate how Hamas deploys rocket launchers within densely populated areas in the Gaza strip, next to schools, mosques and medical facilities. Residential buildings are used as arms depots and rigged with explosive charges, without any consideration given to potential civilian casualties.

  • White stars in red circles – rocket/mortar launchers
  • Yellow lines – civilian buildings
  • Red lines – hamas installations
  • Red triangles – bunkers
  • Yellow triangles – hidden positions
  • Blue triangles - rigged explosives
  • Grey triangles -tunnels
  • Purple triangles – obstacles
Hamas Deployment in the "Tel-Zaatar" Region

Hamas Deployment in the "Tel-Zaatar" Region (JPEG, 5348K)

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IDF Implementing Ceasefire, 18 Jan 2009, 00:56 IST

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January 18th, 2009

IDF Implementing Cabinet’s Decision Regarding Ceasefire

In accordance with the cabinet’s decision to accept the Egyptian proposal and the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the IDF is currently taking the necessary measures to implement the decision.

The cabinet’s decision was made after the IDF achieved the objectives it set for Operation Cast Lead, chiefly dealing the Hamas terror organization a heavy blow to its infrastructure, weaponry stockpiles, rocket launching program and its terror operatives.

As the decision goes into effect, the commander of the operation, GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, will order the redeployment of IDF forces within the Gaza Strip in accordance with security assessments. Furthermore, the forces will be briefed on the specifics of the ceasefire rules of engagement.

The IDF emphasizes that its forces will respond to any attack against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and that any such attack will be met with a harsh response. The IDF stresses that the current Home Front Command safety instructions to residents of southern Israel remain in effect in light of the possibility that the rocket fire will continue as Hamas cynically seeks to “have the last word.”

As ordered by IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, and Maj. Gen. Galant, the operation has not yet ended, and the IDF’s air, naval, ground and intelligence forces will remain alert so as to be ready for any situation. The IDF will continue to assess the situation and emphasizes that it sees Hamas as responsible for the stability of the ceasefire and the resumption of daily life for the residents of the Gaza Strip.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office reiterates that the IDF began this operation following an extended period of restraint as Hamas continued to terrorize the residents of southern Israel with daily rocket barrages against towns and villages that destroyed the daily life of people in the south.

Hamas alone is responsible for creating the situation in Gaza and is accountable for its consequences.

Summary of IDF Operations, 17 Jan 2009, 21:55 IST

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17 January 2009

Summary of IDF Operations Today

Today (Jan.17), IDF forces operating in Gaza identified two armed gunmen hiding in a residential building and targeted them with tank fire. In a subsequent sweep of the building, troops uncovered a stockpile of ammunition, including an explosives belt, grenades, and other weapons. The troops carried out a controlled detonation of the explosives.

In a separate incident taking place in the Northern Gaza Strip, troops identified a gunman armed with an anti-tank missile, and relayed information regarding his position to the IAF, which then carried out a precision strike.

Since this morning (Jan.17), the IAF targeted over 120 Hamas targets in Gaza, including:

  • More than 100 tunnels in southern Gaza
  • 10 rocket launching points, including several launchers that were already primed and loaded
  • 5 cells of gunmen
  • 3 Hamas outposts
  • Additional strikes carried out in order to assist Ground Forces

A total of 20 rockets and mortar shells were fired into Israel today, no injuries were reported.

Thirteen soldiers were wounded over the past 24 hours, 3 seriously, 3 moderately and 7 lightly.

Four Soldiers Seriously Wounded in Gaza, 17 Jan 2009, 15:12 IST

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January 17th, 2009

Four Soldiers Seriously Wounded in Gaza

Four IDF soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade, two of them officers, were seriously wounded early Saturday morning by mortar fire in the Gaza Strip. The four received initial medical treatment at the scene and were evacuated to hospitals.

The soldiers’ families have been notified.

The IDF is looking into the circumstances of the incident, including the possibility that the soldiers were hit by friendly fire.

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

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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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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.

IDF Targets Senior Hamas Leader, Summary of Today’s Events, 15 Jan 2009, 22:10 IST

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January 15th, 2009

IDF Targets Senior Hamas Leader Said Siam

Summary of Today’s Aerial Attacks

In a joint IDF and ISA operation in Gaza City early Thursday 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.

Said Siam, born in 1959, served as minister of interior affairs in the Hamas government and oversaw its armed forces – including the Hamas Executive Force, its police force and its naval force. Siam was a zealous extremist, who liaised directly with Hamas’ military wing and the terror organization’s senior leadership in Gaza and abroad. Ia’ad Siam is the brother and right-hand-man of Said Siam. Salah Abu-Sharah is the head of Hamas’ interior security apparatus.

Approximately thirty five armed gunmen were hurt in the fighting today. Ground forces directed aerial and artillery forces that attacked different targets. In one of the incidents, forces came under RPG fire, returned fire and identified hitting the armed gunmen.

Since the early morning hours the IAF has attacked over 40 targets, including nearly a dozen armed cells, 21 rocket launching points, 2 mortar launching points and 2 weaponry storage sites.

More than 25 rockets were launched into Israel today.