Monthly Archives: February 2010

IDF Spokesperson Announcement, 25 Feb 2010

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Ukrainian Ambassador and Security Attaché Express Gratitude to IDF for Rescuing Crew Members of Sunken Trade Ship

The Ukrainian ambassador in Israel, Mr. Ihor Tymofieiev and the Ukrainian security attaché, Col. Ivan Plyska met today, Thursday February 25th, 2010 with the Head of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and thanked him and the Israel Defense Forces for the aid provided by the Israel Navy and the Air Force in rescuing Ukrainian crew members from a trade ship that sunk near the Lebanese shore on December 12th, 2009.

The Ukrainian ambassador passed Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi a letter from his counterpart, the Head of the General Staff of the Ukrainian military about the IDF’s activity to rescue the lives of the crew members.

The ambassador noted that following the event, he felt a close relationship had been formed between the two nations and that he views IDF forces as friends and partners.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi thanked the ambassador for his kind words and said that IDF soldiers operated in order to save lives and would continue to do so in the future.

Yesterday, the Ukrainian ambassador and the security attaché visited the IAF’s search and rescue units and personally thanked the forces that were involved in the rescue operation.

Measures to be Taken against Rioters, 17 Feb 2010

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Approximately 30 teens rioted this evening during an IDF exercise that took place in the Israeli community of Yizhar.

The exercise, which practiced defending Israeli communities against terrorist attacks, was disrupted when the teens rioted in the village and hurled rocks and bottles filled with paint at IDF soldiers and other security forces. The rioters also prevented the forces from leaving the community by placing tires and blocking its gate. Two Border Policemen and an IDF soldier were lightly injured by the rock hurling and several military vehicles were damaged.

The IDF condemns tonight’s events, and will take severe measures against those involved.

Admiral Michael G. Mullen to Visit Israel Today During Tour of Region, 14 Feb 2010

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Admiral Micheal G. Mullen hosts Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi in the United States

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, will arrive today, February 14th, 2010, for a visit to Israel during a tour of the region. Admiral Mullen will be hosted by the Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi, who will hold a festive dinner in honor of Admiral Mullen later tonight.

During his visit Admiral Mullen will hold a private meeting with Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, as well as a briefing with senior commanders of the General Staff, including Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Ganz, Head of Israel Defense Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, Head of Strategic Planning Directorate, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, and the military attaché to Washington, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni. The discussion will focus on cooperation between the two militaries and mutual security challenges. During the visit, Admiral Mullen will also meet with Minister of Defense Ehud Barak.

Admiral Mullen will be greeted at the IDF General Headquarters in Rabin Base, Tel Aviv (Kirya), by an honor guard consisting of IDF soldiers from the ground, air and naval forces, to the sound of the national anthems of Israel and the United States of America.

Admiral Mullen will also visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial and Museum, where he will pay respect to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. At his request, Admiral Mullen will see members of the IDF rescue delegation to Haiti, and hear about their professional experiences with regard to rescue operations and field medical treatment.

IAF Thwarts Attempted Terror Attack at Karni Crossing, 11 Feb 2010

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February 11th, 2010

IAF Targets Terror Operatives Preparing to Carry out Attack in Karni Humanitarian Aid Crossing

Palestinians fired an RPG missile at an IDF force patrolling the Israeli side of the security fence by the central Gaza Strip this morning. The soldiers on the scene returned fire towards the source of the shooting. No injuries or damage were caused to the Israeli forces.

In a later incident, in a joint IDF and ISA operation, the IAF targeted and identified hitting a squad of terror operatives who were preparing to carry out a terror attack in the area of the Karni humanitarian aid crossing in the northern Gaza Strip.

It appears that Global Jihad operative, Fares Ahmed Jaber, was killed in the attack. Jaber, 26, a Gaza City resident, was involved in firing rockets at Israeli communities in the southwestern Negev region in the past few months. Another militant, who was involved in an attempt to execute a terror attack was also targeted and injured.

More than 20 rockets and mortars were fired at Israel in the first month of 2010.

The IDF will continue to operate firmly against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for maintaining peace and quiet in the Gaza Strip.

Picture of Sgt. 1st class, Ihab Chattib, Killed in Stabbing Incident, 10 Feb 2010

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Sergeant 1st class Ihab Chattib

IDF Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Sergeant 1st class Ihab Chattib was killed earlier today when Mahmoud Yusef Nimer Hattib,  a Palestinian police officer, stabbed him through the open window of his car.

Chattib had stopped his military vehicle at a Tapuah junction traffic light, south of Nablus, when his assailant stabbed him in the chest with a knife.

In an attempt to escape, Chattib drove his vehicle a short distance before losing consciousness, at which point the  and the jeep spun out of control and turned over.

Chattib received initial medical treatment at the scene of the incident and later died of his wounds en route to the hospital.

A civilian security officer from the community of Rehelim hit the attacker with his vehicle, lightly injuring him. The attacker was then arrested and taken for questioning by Israeli security forces.

IDF NCO Stabbed and Killed by Palestinian Police Officer, 10 Feb 2010

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IDF Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Sergeant 1st class Ihab Chattib was killed earlier today by a Palestinian while in his vehicle at a traffic light in the Tapuah junction, south of Nablus. The family has been informed of the tragedy.

The NCO was sitting in his vehicle with his window open when the terrorist pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

In an attempt to escape, the NCO drove a short distance before losing consciousness and the vehicle spun out of control.

The NCO received initial medical treatment at the scene of the incident and later died of his wounds en route to the hospital.

A civilian security officer from the community of Rehelim hit the attacker with his vehicle, lightly injuring him. The attacker was then arrested and taken for questioning by Israeli security forces. The attacker, Mahmoud Yusef Nimer Hattib, is a Palestinian police officer.

The IDF regards this incident with great severity, and will operate to bring all those involved in the attack to justice.

The IDF’s Central Command notices a rise in attempted terror attacks throughout Judea and Samaria. Since the beginning of the year, over 20 knives and 12 explosive devices were discovered by security forces in the Judea and Samaria.

IAF Strikes Gaza Targets in Response to Terrorist Activity, 3 Jan 2010

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January 3rd, 2010

IAF Strikes Targets in Gaza in Response to Terrorist Activity

Overnight, in a joint IDF-ISA activity, the IAF has attacked two terrorist targets in the southern Gaza Strip used by Hamas. One was a tunnel used for the infiltration of terrorists into Israel, while the other was used for smuggling weapons.

Direct hits were identified.

The strike was executed in response to the recent attempted naval attacks against Israel, and the recent rocket fire towards Israel. Including yesterday’s rocket fire, there have been 19 rocket incidents in the past month.

Approximately 770 Qassam rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles were fired at Israel during 2009.

The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for terrorist activity in the Gaza Strip that disturb the calm in the southern communities of Israel, and will respond to hostile acts.

Explosive Devices Located on Israeli Public Beaches, 1 Feb 2010

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February 1st, 2010
Joint Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency and Israeli Police Announcement

Explosive Devices Located Today on Israeli Public Beaches
Three Days Ago, Palestinian Terrorist Organizations Claim Responsibility for Maritime Explosive Devices

On January 29th, a number of Palestinian terrorist organizations claimed responsibility for a maritime terrorist attack following the detonation of two sea-born explosive devices at a distance of approximately two kilometers off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

This morning, February 1st, 2010, Israeli civilians reported seeing a suspicious unidentified object lying on the Barnea beach, a public beach in the coastal city of Ashkelon. Israeli Police sappers examined the object and determined it to be an explosive device. A similar object was later located at one of the beaches in Ashdod, another Israeli city located farther north on the Israeli Mediterranean coast. Both devices were detonated in a controlled manner by the Israeli police.

The terrorist organizations who took responsibility for the original maritime attack are the Fatah military wing, known as “Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades”, the Popular Resistance Committees military wing, known as “Saladin Brigades” and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad military wing, known as the”Al-Quds Brigades”.