Monthly Archives: June 2010

Video of U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, Visiting Kerem Shalom Crossing, 30 Jun. 2010

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The United States Special Envoy for the Middle East, George Mitchell, visited the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Gaza Strip where he received a briefing by Major General Eitan Dangot, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), as well as from other officials in the COGAT unit.

The unit promotes humanitarian issues, infrastructure projects, and economical projects opposite the Palestinians through the application of government policies in factors pertaining to civilians.

In his remarks, Special Envoy Mitchell recognizes the security concerns Israel faces from the Gaza Strip and welcomes Israel’s expansion of the Kerem Shalom Crossing’s capacity to let more trucks into the Gaza Strip every day. In addition, Special Envoy Mitchell condemns the abduction, detention and treatment of the IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and calls again for his immediate release.

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Israeli Tour Guides to Enter Jericho in Coordination with Palestinian Authority for First Time Since 2000, 30 Jun. 2010

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The entrance of Israeli tour guides into Jericho was approved today by the GOC Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi and the Civil Administration, in accordance with the Ministry of Tourism.

This is the first time since 2000 that Israeli tour guides have been able to enter the city of Jericho. This planned policy is intended to contribute to the Palestinian and Israeli economy and promote tourism.

This step is part of a broader measure designed to help the Palestinian population and was decided upon after last week’s successful pilot to allow the entrance of Israeli tour guides into Bethlehem.

In preparation for the entrance, an organized visit took place in Jericho yesterday in coordination with the Civil Administration and the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism.

Warrant Officer, Israeli Civilians Arrested for Suspected Ties to Lebanese Drug Dealers Connected to Hezbollah, 30 Jun. 2010

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Based on intelligence data, an intensive investigation has been carried out over the past few months by the Military Police Special Investigations Unit in cooperation with the Central Galilee Unit of the Israel Police. It is suspected that an IDF warrant officer and a number of Israeli civilians were in contact with Lebanese drug dealers so as to smuggle drugs over the border.

According to the investigation, it is alleged that the warrant officer passed on military-security information to Lebanese drug dealers, connected to the Hezbollah terror organization.

Other suspects were also arrested for passing on critical information to the same Lebanese sources.

Israeli civilians involved in the case will be indicted by Israel’s Northern District Attorney in the coming days.

Regarding the warrant officer, when the investigation will be concluded, its findings will be passed on to the IDF Military Advocate General’s Unit.

Palestinian Militant who Fired RPG from Gaza Targeted by IAF, 28 June 2010

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June 28th , 2010

Palestinian Militant who Fired RPG Targeted by IAF

In a joint IDF-ISA activity, the IAF targeted a Palestinian militant who fired an anti-tank missile at IDF soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip, near the Nahal Oz crossing. A direct hit was identified.

No IDF soldiers were harmed in the incident however a mortar shell did damage an IDF vehicle in the same area earlier today.

Over 90 rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and approximately 330 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of Operation Cast Lead.

The IDF remains committed to protecting the citizens of Israel and will continue to act against terror. The IDF holds Hamas solely responsible for terror emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Admiral Mullen Concludes Work Visit to Israel, 27 June 2010

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June 27th, 2010

Admiral Michael G. Mullen Concludes Visit to Israel as Guest of IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, concluded a short work visit to Israel today, as the guest of IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

During his visit, Admiral Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi held a personal meeting, as well as an extended one. The extended meeting, held by Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi also included Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Ganz, Head of Israel Defense Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, Head of the Strategic Planning Directorate, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, Commander in Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom and Military Attaché to Washington, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni. The participants discussed the cooperation between the two militaries and mutual security challenges‏. Admiral Mullen also met with Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi thanked Admiral Mullen for visiting Israel at this time and praised the relations between the two militaries: “We discussed the threats and challenges facing us. I view Admiral Mullen as a true friend and partner. ”

As a gesture of friendship, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi and several IDF soldiers had planted trees in the Yizhak Rabin forest, located in Jerusalem, in honor of Admiral Mullen. Today, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi presented Admiral Mullen with the certificate of trees planted in his honor.

Admiral Mullen thanked Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi and stated that he was happy to visit Israel, adding that the relationship between the two militaries is strong and solid: “the leadership of Chief of Staff Ashkenazi has made a positive difference in our relations, yet our challenges remain.”

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Photos of U.S. JCS Chairman Admiral Mullen’s Visit to IDF Headquarters, 27 June 2010

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The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, arrived in Israel today (June 27th, 2010) for a brief work-related visit in Israel as a guest of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi.

Adm. Mullen will also meet with the Head of Israeli Military Intelligence, Major General Amos Yadlin, and will receive up-to-date briefings.

The first three photos show Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi meeting with Adm. Mullen, the fourth is a meeting between Adm. Mullen, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, and Maj. Gen. Yadlin, and the final photos show Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi presenting Adm. Mullen with a framed certificate of appreciation which acknowledges Adm. Mullen’s  ”brave friendship towards Israel and concern for the safety of Israel” with a circle of trees being planted in the names of Adm. Mullen and his wife, Debora Mullen.

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Admiral Michael G. Mullen to Arrive in Israel for Work Visit, 27 Jun 2010

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, is expected to arrive today, Sunday, June 27th, 2010, for a brief professional visit to Israel. Admiral Mullen will be hosted by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi‏.

During the visit, Adm. Mullen will hold a private meeting with Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, as well as a discussion 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 the Strategic Planning Directorate, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, Military Attaché to Washington, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, and Commander in Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marum. The meetings will focus both on cooperation between the two militaries and on mutual security challenges‏.

In Response to Mortar Fire, IAF Targets Terror Tunnels and Weapons Storage Facility in Gaza Strip, 25 June 2010

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The Israel Air Force struck a weapons storage facility in the northern Gaza Strip and two terror tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip overnight. The tunnels were intended for infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

The attack is in response to the mortars that were fired at Israel and hit the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council yesterday.

More than 90 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and over 330 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of operation Cast Lead.

The IDF remains committed to protecting the citizens of Israel and will continue to act against terror. The IDF holds Hamas solely responsible for terror emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Tour Guides to Enter Bethlehem, 21 June 2010

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June 21st, 2010

IDF and CoGAT Announcement: Israeli Tour Guides to Enter Bethlehem in Coordination with Palestinian Authority

Earlier today, fifty Israeli tour guides arrived for a briefing at the Etzion regional brigade, as part of a seminar in preparation for the entrance of Israeli tour guides into the city of Bethlehem.

The entrance of the tour guides was approved by the GOC Central Command and the Civil Administration, in accordance with the Ministry of Tourism. Following the briefing, a bus carrying the tour guides entered Bethlehem through the Rachel crossing in order to tour the city. The tour was coordinated by the Civil Administration and the Palestinian Authority.

This is the first time since 2000 that Israeli tour guides have been given permission to enter the city of Bethlehem. This planned policy is intended to contribute to the Palestinian and Israeli economy and promote tourism. In addition, it will enable the entrance of tour groups, accompanied by tour guides from Jerusalem directly to Bethlehem, without the need to switch guides.

This step is part of broader measures designed to help the Palestinian population. This program was authorized by the GOC Central Command, Maj. Gen Avi Mizrahi, and after the Civil Administration, the Ministry of Tourism and the Palestinian Authority completed the necessary preparation work.

The IDF Central Command, CoGAT, the Civil Administration and the Ministry of Tourism will continue to develop programs to promote the economy and tourism in the area in accordance with security assessments.

Breakdown of Humanitarian Aid to the Gaza Strip for June 6th-12th, 15 June 2010

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The document below is a detailed breakdown of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for June 6th-12th. The statistics include the amount of trucks and tons of aid imported this past week, as well as what goods were imported into the Strip.

As shown below: 578 trucks of humanitarian aid and 1,215,037 liters of diesel fuel were imported into Gaza this week.

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