Lt. Col (Res.) Dov Harari, who was killed today by Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fire will be laid to rest tomorrow (Wednesday), August 4th 2010 at the Netanya Military cemetery.
Lieutenant-Colonel (Res.) Dov Harari who was killed today by LAF fire
Lieutenant-Colonel (Res.) Dov Harari who was killed today by LAF fire
In addition to the IDF officer that was killed today by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) along the Israel-Lebanon border, an IDF platoon commander, Captain Ezra Lakia from Kfar Ha’Rif was critically wounded. His family was notified of the incident.
An IDF officer was killed today by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fire in the Israel- Lebanon border. The officer is Lt. Col. Dov Harari (45) from Netanya. Harari served as a battalion commander.
Earlier today during the mid-day hours, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at an IDF position along the Lebanese border in northern Israel. The force was in Israeli territory, carrying out routine maintenance and was pre-coordinated with UNIFIL. The incident occurred west of the internationally recognized “Blue Line” (the border between Israel and Lebanon) and east of the security fence, thus lying in Israeli territory.
The IDF force immediately returned fire with light arms at a force of the LAF, and the IDF also made use of artillery fire. Several minutes later an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter fired at the LAF Battalion Command Center in Al-Taybeh, damaging several LAF armored combat vehicles.
The IDF holds the LAF responsible for the incident that disrupted the calm in the region, and its consequences.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi arrived at the Israeli-Lebanese border, is following the events closely as they unfold, and is constantly holding situation assessment reports with the OC Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, as well as the Galilee Regional Division commander and additional commanders.
The Israeli civilians in the Galilee region are carrying on with their routine way of life.
Correction on Location of Incident: The border area is West of the Israeli town Misgav Am. The incident occurred east of the internationally recognized “Blue Line” (the border between Israel and Lebanon) and west of the security fence, thus lying in Israeli territory.
Recently, an IDF force was fired upon from within Lebanon.
The soldiers were on routine activity in Israeli territory, in an area that lies between the “blue line” (the internationally recognized border between Israel and Lebanon) and the security fence, thus within Israeli territory.
The Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan, participated in a Yisur helicopter night exercise with the Dorsey Squadron yesterday.
Expansion of Land Crossing Activity Ongoing as part of
Implementation of Israeli Cabinet Decision on 20 June 2010
2 Aug 2010
The expansion of activity at the crossings to increase the capacity of goods transferred to Gaza is ongoing. Today (Monday), August 2nd, 2010, 200 trucks passed through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into the Gaza Strip, as part of the expanded activities of the land crossings and the implementation of the Israeli Cabinet’s decision on June 20th, 2010 vis-à-vis Israel’s civilian policy concerning the Gaza Strip.
Expansion of activity at the crossings was made possible after extensive staff work in cooperation with the relevant security authorities and relevant ministries. Moreover, in order to consider additional ways of expanding activity at the Kerem Shalom crossing, as well as meeting the timetable that was set to increase the crossing’s capacity to 250 trucks a day, an Israeli-Palestinian team was established. The team is headed by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot and Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al-Sheikh.
The team held a series of meetings, and in the latest one, which took place on Wednesday, July, 28th, 2010 an agreement was reached on the principles of a working plan that will be chaired by the head of Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration, Colonel Moshe Levy and the Palestinian Crossings Administration.
It was also decided to establish a joint working team of the economic officials in COGAT, representatives of the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority, in order to examine further ways to implement the Cabinet’s decision.
During the past few weeks, development and infrastructure work has been carried out on both sides of the crossing by the Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority. Thus, the areas for unloading goods were improved and expanded, the hours of operations at the crossing were increased, personnel operating the crossing were reinforced, and lighting equipment was added to enable the crossing to be open at night. In addition, 38,000 tons worth of boxes and 51000 tons worth of asphalt have been delivered in recent weeks to further the expansion and operation of the Palestinian side of the crossing, at the request of the Palestinian Crossings Administration.
The COGAT Spokesman also emphasizes that meanwhile, the delivery of construction materials for humanitarian projects in Gaza continues, following the approval of the 31 internationally funded projects.
The recent rockets and mortars fired at Israel’s southern communities by terrorist organizations took place despite actions to implement the expansion of Israel’s civilian policy concerning the Gaza Strip.
Earlier this morning, explosions were reported in the Eilat bay area. No damage or injuries were reported. The IDF and the Israel police are searching the area and examining the source of the fire.
The IDF maintains ongoing contact with the Jordanian and Egyptian Militaries.
Overnight, the Israel Air Force struck a Hamas-linked terror tunnel and a weapons-smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.
The attack is in response to the Qassam rocket that was fired at Israel on Saturday evening, August 1st 2010, which hit the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, causing heavy property damage. This was the second incident of rocket fire in 36 hours.
Approximately 110 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and over 400 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.
