Monthly Archives: July 2010

During Italy Visit: IDF Chief of the General Staff Elaborates on Hezbollah Deployment in Southern Lebanon, 19 Jul. 2010

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This morning, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, began his official work visit to the Italian Armed Forces as a guest of the Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini.

The two met earlier today, and discussed various matters faced by the two militaries. They exchanged views regarding the war on terror in Afghanistan and the Italian forces deployed in southern Lebanon as part of UNIFIL. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi listened to briefings by his colleague, with whom he held a joint situation assessment report regarding the expanding threats in the Middle East.

General Camporini praised the cooperation between the two militaries, stating that “Israel is a great friend of Italy. We know the Israeli people and the IDF well, and we will do all we can in order to strengthen the cooperation [between us].”

Later in the afternoon, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met with leaders of the Italian Jewish community, and briefed them on the challenges facing the IDF. The Chief of the General Staff thanked the community leaders for their brave friendship which allows the State of Israel and the IDF to face the challenges that still exist 62 years after Israel’s establishment.

Later in the evening, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met senior editors of the Italian media. During the meeting, he said: “Hezbollah duplicates sections of southern Lebanon underground, and is building an underground infrastructure of command centers and rocket launchers, mostly within the Shiite villages in southern Lebanon, as well as other parts of Lebanon.”

He continued and warned that “throughout Lebanon, including in southern Lebanon, residential villages were turned into ’surface-to-surface rocket villages,’ while Hezbollah is taking advantage of the local population and [also taking advantage of] the lack of UNIFIL’s mandated authority, to strengthen its command centers and rocket launchers inside the villages”

The IDF Chief of the General Staff mentioned that he recently decided to reveal part of this deployment, by using one village, al-Khiam, as an example, in order to demonstrate to world governments and militaries this dire and cruel reality in which Hezbollah is taking advantage of civilians in order to attack Israel.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi added that “as for now, I do not identify an interest by Hezbollah or other factions to initiate a conflict with Israel or to cause for a deterioration of the [current] situation, but my responsibility as the head of the military is to ensure the alertness of our intelligence, our operational readiness, and the preparedness of the military for any scenario”.

Tomorrow, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will visit the Inter-Military Intelligence Center of the Italian Armed Forces, will hold a joint situation assessment report with his colleagues, and will visit the Supreme Joint Headquarters for Special Operations (COI)

Announcement of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories: Coordination for Delivery of Medical Equipment and Construction Material to the Gaza Strip, 19 Jul. 2010

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The Spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced today, July 19th 2010, that the equipment for the USAID greenhouse project as well as medical equipment for Shiffa hospital in Gaza City were delivered to the Gaza Strip.

The medical equipment to Shiffa hospital includes a CT scanner and an X-ray machine donated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The transfer was coordinated by the Coordination & Liaison Administration in Gaza.

In addition, materials for 3 greenhouses were transferred this morning into the Gaza Strip as part of the USAID project. The “Family Agricultural Greenhouses” project is intended to assist and support 900 families in the Gaza Strip as part of humanitarian efforts intended for the local population. This project is one of the 31 new projects that were approved following the Israeli Cabinet’s decision and authorized by the Palestinian Authority.

The COGAT spokesperson announced that the transfer of the cargo from the Libyan ship through the Kerem Shalom crossing continues today with the delivery of 27 truckloads, in addition to the 35 truckloads that were transferred yesterday. The delivery of the cargo from the ship will continue without interfering with the routine coordination of roughly 150 truckloads per day.

IDF Chief of the General Staff’s Address at Historical Arch of Titus, 19 Jul. 2010

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“We are here, at the Arch of Titus in Rome on the eve of Tisha B’av, the day the Jewish Temple was destroyed by Titus, and together with the Jewish Community we say: ‘The people of Israel are alive!’”

-  Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi

This is a part of the address given by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, during a short ceremony that was held at the historical Arch of Titus in Rome this evening, on the eve of Tisha B’av [9th of the Jewish calendar month of Av – Jewish commemoration and fast day marking the destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples in Jerusalem]. The Israeli Ambassador in Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Mr. Renzo Gattegna and the Chief Rabbi and Chief Cantor of Italy, were all present at the ceremony.

In his speech, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi said, “despite all the misery and horrible tragedies that struck us since the destruction of the Second Temple and our exile, the Jewish People were able to re-establish their national independence in 1948. The Israel Defense Forces, which I’m proud to head, carries the responsibility for the security of this independence. The IDF, as a large, strong and deterring army which draws on its physical and morale strength, is the force that stands prepared against all of our enemies and those who seek to harm us. It is the force that when required, will prevent tragedies, like the one commemorated by this arch.”

Earlier today, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met with his colleague, Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini.

The Chief of the General Staff also met with the Italian General Staff. The two sides discussed the enhancement and expansion of cooperation between the two armies and the challenges that the armies face on various fronts. The IDF Chief of the General staff thanked his host “for the Italian government’s assistance and support for Israel in light of the recent campaign to delegitimize the IDF and the Zionist movement.”

Tonight, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will meet and address the Jewish Community of Rome.

Below is a video of part of the Chief of Staff’s address:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0jnED6uxS0]

Terrorist Cell Behind Murder of Policeman Arrested: Planned Additional Attacks and Abductions, 19 July 2010

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On 22 June 2010, the IDF, ISA and Israel Police, arrested the Hamas terrorist cell responsible for the killing of policeman Shuki Sofer during a shooting attack on 14 June 2010, on route 60 near the Israeli community of Otni’el. Two other policemen were injured in the incident.

The operatives, all in their twenties, some of which were held by Israeli security forces in the past for their involvement with the Hamas Terrorist organization, were arrested in the village of Deir Tsamet, near Israel’s Lachish region.

After questioning the operatives, the ISA was able to determine that they had formed the Hamas terror cell a few years ago in order to execute terror attacks. For this purpose, the operatives accumulated munitions, including three AK47 assault rifles, in a stockpile hidden in a hilly area.

The Hamas cell began its combat operations in 2009, when its members received shooting training. In the first months of 2010, the cell decided to attack an Israeli target on route 60. In preparation, the operatives located a convenient ambush site along the road, and agreed on attacking a police car that drove through the road every morning.

In the early morning of 14 July 2010, three of the operatives deployed at the ambush site, while another operative drove nearby and acted as a look-out in the case IDF forces arrived.

The police car passed by the ambush site, near Deir Razakh, north of Otni’el at 07:15. The operatives shot bursts of gunfire at the vehicle, killing the policeman and injuring two others.

The operatives escaped the scene and later burned the escape vehicle and hid the munitions. An additional operative, who was aware of their plans, assisted in hiding the weapons after the attack.

The operatives reenacted the attack during their investigation, and handed over the three AK47 assault rifles to security forces

It should be noted that one of the members of the terror cell admitted during questioning that two weeks prior to the attack, he had accompanied his 6 year old daughter to the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where she had a tumor removed from her eye. The operation had been paid for in full by an Israeli charity foundation.

It also appears from the investigation that the cell had planned additional attacks, most notably to abduct a soldier or civilian in the Gush Ezyon area. The operatives had already begun scouting the area, and had purchased Yarmulkes (skull caps) and a wig that they planned to use in the attack.

The investigation is ongoing.

Video and Photos: IDF Chief of the General Staff Visits the Italian Armed Forces, 19 Jul. 2010

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The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, began his work visit to the Italian Armed Forces as a guest of the Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi is currently meeting with senior officers in the Italian General Staff. The two sides are discussing the enhancement and expansion of cooperation between the IDF and the Italian Armed Forces in a variety of aspects. These include the war on terror, urban combat, naval and aerial warfare.

In addition, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi and his Italian colleague are holding a joint situation assessment regarding the expansion of different threats in the Middle East.

Last evening, the Chief of the General Staff and his entourage joined General Camporini for dinner. The General praised the cooperation between the two armies, stating that Israel is a great friend of Italy’s. He added that Italy knows the Israeli people and the IDF well, and that it will do all it can in order to strengthen the cooperation between the two sides.

The IDF Chief of the General staff thanked his host for the Italian government’s assistance and support for Israel in light of the recent campaign to delegitimize the IDF and the Zionist movement, saying: “our two nations and armies have a mutual interest in enhancing cooperation.” In addition, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi thanked General Camporini for the operation and achievements of the Italian force positioned in Southern Lebanon as part of UNIFIL.

This afternoon, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will give a short address at the Historical Arch of Titus in Rome in honor of Tisha B’av [9th of the Jewish calendar month of Av - Jewish commemoration and fast day marking destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples in Jerusalem]. He will be accompanied by the Israeli Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Mr. Renzo Gattegna and the Chief Rabbi and Chief Cantor of Italy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42D6s4Hn7Dw]

COGAT’s Briefing to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 18 July 2010

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The Spokesman of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announces that today, July 18, 2010, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, and the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yossi Gal, met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, at the Erez Crossing. During the meeting, Maj. Gen. Dangot elaborated on the steps taken in order to implement the government’s policies regarding the Gaza Strip and presented data on the daily entry of goods via the crossings.

Maj. Gen. Dangot described the increase in the volume of goods passing through the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings. The Ministry of Defense Crossings Authority representative also emphasized that the capacity has been increased to 150 truckloads per day via Kerem Shalom, and that since July 4, construction work has been carried out by the Palestinian Authority on the Palestinian side of the crossing in order to increase the crossing’s capacity to 250 truckloads a day by July 31.

Maj. Gen. Dangot also presented the High Representative with a list of projects that were approved in addition to the 14 projects approved by the Palestinian Authority and commenced prior to the Cabinet’s decision.

Maj. Gen. Dangot emphasized that Israel will continue to provide solutions to the needs raised by the Palestinian Authority and the international community, based on the existing crossings and the maintenance of the Kerem Shalom Crossing as the main commodities crossing. The policies will be implemented in accordance with security considerations and with the fact that the Hamas terror organization continues to control the Gaza Strip.

The COGAT Spokesman further announces that the transfer of the cargo from the Libyan vessel began this morning via the Kerem Shalom Crossing, following coordination between Israel and Egypt. The remainder of the cargo from the vessel will be transferred into Gaza without interrupting the daily coordination of 150 truckloads of goods.

IDF Chief of the General Staff Departs for Work Visit in Italy and France, 18 Jul. 2010

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The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi departed for an official five-day work visit to Italy and France. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi was invited by his  counterparts, the Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini, and the French Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Edouard Guillaud. The three will discuss mutual security challenges and the situation in the Middle East.

The visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the countries and their militaries.

In addition to meeting with his Italian counterpart, General Camporini, the Chief of the General Staff will meet with senior figures from the Italian Ministry of Defense, Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, and the leaders of Italy’s Jewish community. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will also tour Italian military bases and meet with senior commanders from the Italian General Staff. He will also visit and give a modest address at the historical Arch of Titus in Rome, on Monday, July 19th, 2010.

The IDF Chief of the General Staff will also visit France. There he will meet with his counterpart, Admiral Guillaud, President Sarkozy’s Military Assistant, General Puga, the Political Advisor, General Georgelin, and with leaders of France’s Jewish community.

Accompanying Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi are his wife Ronit, the IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu, Head of the International Military Cooperation Department, Col. Dan Hefez, and his aide.

The IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, will act in Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi’s place during his absence.

Senior Palestinian Police Officers Host GOC of Central Command for First Time in Decade, 16 Jul. 2010

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GOC of Central Command Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi and Head of Civil Administration Brig. Gen. Yoav Poly with the Commander of the Palestinian National Security Forces, General Diab El-Ali and the Commander of the Presidential Guard, Munir Zuabi

For the first time in the past decade, senior Palestinian police officers hosted GOC of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi in Jericho. During the visit, the Presidential Guard displayed a number of exercises and operational tactics which demonstrated the challenges faced by Palestinian security forces, especially in the field of close protection and rapid response. The Head of the Civil Administration, Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai and senior IDF Central Command officers also accompanied the visit. “The relationship between the IDF and the Palestinian security apparatus is very professional and successful in creating the security quiet that protects all sides”, said Maj. Gen. Mizrahi.

Throughout the morning IDF and the Palestinian senior officers discussed ways to continue build the professional dialogue  that has developed over the last two years and contribute to the stability of the security in the region. During the visit at the training facilities the Palestinian commanders presented the training grounds, rifle range, physical training course, living quarters and mess hall. Following the visit the entourage visited the Quarantal monastery via cable car much to the amazement of tourists that seemed puzzled at the sight of Israeli and Palestinian officers. During the visit the two sides discussed the possibility of reopening Palestinian cities, including Jericho, throughout the area for access of Israelis, an option that has been unsafe since 2000.

Videos Timeline of Flotilla Incident as Presented by Eiland Team of Experts (English Version), 13 July 2010

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Below are videos of the Gaza flotilla incident as presented by the Eiland team of experts with English subtitles.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwoqGJJltPU]

The events leading up to and throughout the flotilla incident are recounted in the video, as presented by the team of experts led by Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland in the IDF’s internal inquiry.

In light of weapons smuggling attempts, a maritime closure was established during the 2008-2009 Gaza Operation. Under the guise of providing humanitarian aid, a number of ships have attempted to reach the Gaza Strip, some permitted to enter, while others were stopped.

Due to these attempts, the IDF General Staff and Navy outlined orders to prepare for future attempts to break the closure, and in preparing for the May 31st flotilla, the IDF planned far in advance with extended discussion, and various simulation model scenarios. IDF attaches abroad and foreign attaches to Israel were all briefed in advance.

In addition, the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi sent a letter to the Defense Minister and Prime Minister emphasizing the following:

“Cooperation between nation ministries is required and the military option which includes seizing, confiscating and detaining the ship’s activists is a last resort and at a low priority.”

The video goes on to describe the various ships in the flotilla and the courses of their attempted journey to the Gaza Strip, as well as the number and extent of Israeli response ships, aircraft, and absorption center for the ships’ passengers.

The video also outlines the orders given to the IDF soldiers boarding the flotilla ships, including the policy of using gradual force, and using live weapons only in life threatening scenarios.

The first phase of the operation: The IDF relayed the message that the flotilla ships were in an area of a maritime closure, and offered the ships to transfer their cargo from the Ashdod Port to the Gaza Strip. The Sofia ship did not respond at all, while the other ships responded with refusal and/or profanity.

The IDF forces were divided and each group boarded a different ship. The soldiers arrived at the Mavi Marmara at 4:28 AM, but could not board the ship due to metal objects being thrown at them, and electric buzz saws used by the demonstrators to slice the ladders IDF soldiers needed to board the Marmara. After an unsuccessful attempt to board the ship by smaller boats, a helicopter arrived at 4:30 AM with 15 IDF soldiers. The first rope dropped by the helicopters was tied by the demonstrators to the deck of the ship in order to prevent the soldiers’ descent.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpPvs3YSE4g]

Soldiers that descended down the second rope were met by 2-4 demonstrators each who wielded knives, axes, and metal poles. The second soldier to descend was shot in the stomach by a demonstrator. The soldiers who were in danger of their lives were forced to use their live weapons. Five soldiers were injured by stabbing, blows and live fire by the demonstrators. Within seconds of boarding the ships, three soldiers were thrown off the deck by demonstrators. The injured were dragged to the hull of the ship.

A reinforcement of soldiers arrives from a second helicopter, which is also attacked by demonstrators, and the soldiers are met with violence when they attempt to access the lower deck of the ship.

At 4:46 AM a third helicopter arrives to the Mavi Marmara, and the two groups of soldiers combine forces on the ship roof and descend to the other parts of the ship, where they are also met with lethal violence, and thus respond with live fire.

Many of the demonstrators enter inside of the ship as the smaller boats arrive at the side of the ship, however some still violently attack the incoming boats and the soldiers respond with live fire.

The Commander of the Special Navy Forces boards the ship, and while evaluating the forces, it is discovered that three soldiers are missing. The missing and injured soldiers are discovered to have been abducted by a number of violent demonstrators, who abandon the soldiers and run back into the ship when fired at.

Two of the injured soldiers jump off the ship so that they can be picked up by the IDF boats. The third injured soldier is on the bow of the boat and slipping out of consciousness. IDF soldiers remaining on the boat come to his aid.

At 5:17 AM the situation is evaluated and some of the findings: live fire was used by demonstrators towards IDF soldiers who were on the ship, including one soldier who descended down the rope and was shot in the abdomen. Live fire by the demonstrators was also aimed at the soldiers on the small Israeli Navy boats next to the Marmara. The first occurence of live fire was that used by the demonstrators. In addition, a gun with emptied magazines was found in the hull of the ship.

IDF forces had boarded the other ships without incident. Treatment and evacuation was carried out for the injured soldiers and demonstrators alike. 38 injured were airlifted, 7 of them soldiers.

The three soldiers who had been attempted to be kidnapped and were taken to the hull of the ship were witness to an argument between the violent demonstrators, and other passengers of the Marmara who asked the violent demonstrators to cease their violent activity.

24 of the injured passengers were diagnosed at the Ashdod Port and treated in hospitals in Israel.

After the operation ended, the ships arrived at the Ashdod Port accompanied by Israeli Naval forces. An intelligence investigation following the flotilla incident found that 40 of the IHH activists previously boarded the Marmara ship from Istanbul before joining the others.

The 8 of the 9 demonstrators killed were members of the IHH or other allied groups. Around half of those killed had declared in front of their families their aspiration to die as martyrs (“shahids”). Footage on the Marmara shows that the violence had been prepared: metal poles and chains were prepared, slingshots, buzzsaws, gas masks, tear gas, bulletproof vests, knives, and more. A briefing had taken place before the IDF had boarded the ship, with the leader of the violent demonstrators telling the group to attack the IDF soldiers at any cost.

There were 718 total passengers of the flotilla ships. Most were released without undergoing any investigation. The last passenger left on June 6th.

Civilian Activities and Humanitarian Aid Toward Gaza Strip – June Report, 14 July 2010

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The following is a monthly report regarding the civilian and humanitarian activities of the Israeli authorities for June 2010. As noted below, there has been a 60% increase in Aid transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing:

[scribd id=34313171 key=key-1yxa5p1v9dkv98o78itt mode=list]