Suspect in Saturday Night Shooting Attack Arrested Less Than Two Hours After Attack, 31 Oct 2010

Posted on October 31, 2010 by idfspokesperson

A Palestinian man suspected of involvement in the shooting attack yesterday evening was arrested overnight by IDF forces. The shooting attack took place yesterday evening on the route leading from Har Gilo to Jerusalem, causing damage to an Israeli vehicle.

Following immediate searches in the area, an IDF force started a chase leading to the arrest of the suspect, Muhaned Muhamed Mahmud Aze, a 34 year old man from Betlehem in less than two hours from the incident. The suspect was questioned on the scene and confessed to taking an active role in the attack. He was arrested and taken for questioning by the ISA.

Overview and Activities of the Civil Administration’s Trade and Industry Office, 28 Oct 2010

Posted on October 28, 2010 by idfspokesperson

The Civil Administration is the body responsible for the coordination and administration of civilian and humanitarian needs in the West Bank. In order to improve transparency and make as much information available as possible, the Trade and Industry Office, the Civil Administration department which coordinates economic relations and supports development in the West Bank, has published a report on its activities as part of the Civil Administration Quarterly series. The report focuses on three aspects of the Trade and Industry Office: import-export activity from overseas, the facilitation of dual-use items into Palestinian territories, and finally, industrial and economic projects in Area C of the West Bank. Below are the main points of the document:

In Areas A and B of the West Bank (around 40% of the West Bank area), most civil authorities are under the Palestinian Authority. These authorities coordinate closely with the Civil Administration. In Area C (60% of the West Bank in which only 150,000 Palestinians reside), the Civil Administration acts as a liaison between Palestinian and Israeli authorities to promote common interests, working for the well-being of both the Israeli and Palestinian populations in the West Bank region.
The Economics Branch of the Civil Administration, under which the Trade and Industry Office serves, promotes economic growth in the West Bank by balancing security needs with the needs of Palestinian and Israeli business communities. Projects undertaken in the last year include: (1) extending operating hours for terminals and border crossing points; (2) expanding access to Israel for over 600 prominent Palestinian businessmen; (3) increasing work permit quotas to 25,000, and more.
The Economic Branch initiates field visits and professional workshops for Palestinian businessmen in Israel—including guided visits to Israel, seminars with Israeli officials from the Economic Ministry, and promotion of Palestinian business ventures in Israeli trade fares and exhibitions. The Branch staff meets regularly with Palestinian Authority officials and representatives of international organizations promoting economic growth in the West Bank.
All Palestinian import/export requests handed over to the Coordinator are generally approved within 24 to 48 hours.
- Certain specialized construction goods require an expert opinion and authorization which, until recently took several weeks to procure. The Civil Administration has therefore recruited an expert engineer in order to shorten the process to four working days.
In 2009 the Foreign Trade Coordinator processed and granted:
- 289 import licenses
- 1199 exemptions from standards and labels
- 405 requests for the release of bonded goods
- 632 requests for the registration of new Palestinian importers
Some imports are listed as “dual-use”: intended for civilian use but potentially used for terrorist activities. There are 55 items listed by the Civil Administration as “dual-use” (listed here under 1. ד). The Civil Administration processes requests for these goods and coordinates their transfer. Requests take up to 45 days in which a general security review is conducted. In the last 18 months, out of 177 requests for “dual-use” imports:
- 128 were approved
- 19 were denied
- 30 are currently being processed
Ever since the Second Intifada in 2000, the IDF has banned the use of explosives in Palestinian quarries. However, due to Civil Administration promotion of the quarry industry in the West Bank, the ban on the use of explosives in quarries was lifted in 2009 and today, regulations for transferring explosives in both Israeli and Palestinian quarries in the West Bank are identical. Since the ban was lifted, more than 200,000 kg of explosives were imported to Palestinian quarries. The transfer and use of these explosives is closely monitored by the Civil Administration to prevent potential misuse by terrorist organizations.
All phone numbers, email addresses, and website URLs of the Civil Administration staff workers are freely available and provided in the Quarterly, in order to promote maximum accessibility.

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Largest Final Exercise in the History of the IDF Doctors Course Held Yesterday, 28 Oct 2010

Posted on October 28, 2010 by idfspokesperson

The Israeli Medical Corps held a final exercise for the largest field doctors course in the history of the IDF on Wednesday 27.10.10. As many as fifty new doctors will finish the military medical course next week and will be assigned to various IDF units on land, sea or air.

Those finishing the course will be dispatched to individuals battalions, such that a doctor will be staffed to every battalion in the IDF.

Brig. Gen. Dr. Nachman Ash, Commander of the Medical Corps, tested the IDF’s doctors-to-be and congratulated the participants: “These are doctors full of motivation, with a sparkle in their eyes. They are ready and willing to do their work. There is no doubt that from now on, with the manning of the positions in all field units, the medical response for soldiers will correspond to the need”.

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IDF Inaugurates First Green Base as Part of “IDF Protects the Environment,” 26 Oct 2010

Posted on October 26, 2010 by idfspokesperson

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The Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, announced the new plan, “IDF Protects the Environment”, to the sum of one billion NIS today, declaring the inauguration ceremony of the Officer Instruction Base as the first “green base” in the IDF.

Officer Instruction School Throughout the Ages

The ceremony will be held today with the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Commander of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Shlomo (Sami) Turjeman, Head of the Technology and Logistics Branch, Maj. Gen. Dan Biton, and Commander of the Officer Instruction Base, Col. Yehuda Fox in attendance. During the event, the Chief of the General Staff will unveil the “Solar Farm Project”, which includes 400 solar panels and which is expected to save up to 90,000 liters of solar fuel a year. Furthermore, the main points of the “IDF Protects the Environment” plan will be presented, with an emphasis on energy conservation and long-lasting construction in the IDF. The new technological facilities which have been integrated into the Officer Instruction School will also be unveiled. These facilities were built in order to conserve water and electricity, and they include: volume-calculating systems, which save up to 25-35% of electricity, T5 fluorescent bulbs, which save up to 30% of electricity, and rationing water faucets, which save up to 20-50% of water.

The change in perspective which the IDF is currently undergoing, particularly within the Officer Instruction School, is part of the ongoing training process of the future generation of officers. This shift is an important milestone in the implementation of the “IDF Protects the Environment” plan, which has been authorized by the Chief of the General Staff last week, to the sum of one billion NIS. The plan, which is being carried out under the guidance of the IDF’s Environmental Protection Administration, focuses on amending past environmental damage as well as preventing future harm. The IDF’s educational efforts and encouragement to protect the environment, for all military ranks, are necessary to promote environmental awareness in all of the Israeli Army’s decisions.

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Gaza Strip Weekly Crossing Report for October 17th-23rd, 25 Oct 2010

Posted on October 25, 2010 by idfspokesperson

The Israeli Government, together with the IDF, coordinates the delivery of a variety of humanitarian aid and development assistance to the civilian population of the Gaza Strip on a daily basis. The following report details cross-border activities for the third week of October 2010.

During this period, a total of 1,083 truckloads crossed from Israel, carrying 23,036 tons of goods, humanitarian aid and development assistance for Gaza’s civilian population.

In addition, 1,876,878 liters of Heavy-Duty Diesel fuel were transferred to the Gaza Power Plant and UNRWA, 825 tons of cooking gas, and 6 truckloads of iron and cement were transferred into the Strip.

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Combined “Juniper Falcon 11″ Exercise between the Israel Defense Forces and the US European Command (EUCOM) Successfully Completed, 22 Oct 2010

Posted on October 22, 2010 by idfspokesperson

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The US and Israel concluded a several day-long command post simulation and training exercise called Juniper Falcon 11 yesterday, October 21st, 2010. Juniper Falcon 11 is part of a series of routinely conducted training exercises between the US and Israel that build partnership and which promote regional peace and stability. The exercise is part of a long standing agreement between the US and Israel to hold bilateral training exercises on a regular basis.

Commanders and participants from both militaries expressed their satisfaction with the exercise upon its completion, expressing that the exercise allowed for each of the militaries to mutually learn from the other and improve their interoperability.

IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, said: “I see great progress in all matters of cooperation between us and the American armed forces and EUCOM. This is an important part of our ability to operate in different scenarios at sea, on the ground and in the air. It emphasizes the deep, intimate relations between us and the United States when facing mutual enemies, such as when fighting terror. I get the impression that officers from both sides feel these improvements and that we have interoperable capabilities.”

US Exercise Director, Maj. Gen. Craig Gourley, said: “I’ve had the opportunity in the past couple of years to participate in quite a few exercises and this definitely ranks at the top of my experiences. We’ve met 100 percent of our objectives and through the great experiences and trust we’ve developed in the past couple of days we were able to make this a truly outstanding exercise and gain good experiences for the future. Talking through our experiences and capabilities does nothing but enhance our interoperability and capabilities to work together and just improves how we operate as a team. I take away the friendships, the exposure to the environment and the great partnership. We’ve taken a look at a lot of the issues of interoperability and where we can enhance our capabilities and improve. All gaps have been filled. You’ve been a gracious host and met all of our needs. You’ve been outstanding. We’ve seen great camaraderie, dedication, pride, and commitment on behalf of the Israeli forces – it’s outstanding. We’re looking forward to coming back.”

IDF Exercise Director, Brig. Gen. Nizan Nuriel, said: “The real purpose of this exercise is to make sure that in real time, if necessary, we will be well trained and fully prepared. We know it’s about friendship, brotherhood and these kinds of exercises can create this level of relationship that in real time may be needed. This has been the most organized of such exercises until now. The exercise challenges both sides. I would like to emphasize the preparations of the American forces in this exercise, proving the importance they give to such an exercise.”

This exercise is a routine training exercise and is not associated with or in response to current world events.

Deputy EUCOM Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Garner, left, with IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, right

IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, left, sits next to Deputy EUCOM Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Gardner

Maj. Gen. Tal Russo Replaces Designated Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant as GOC Southern Command, 21 Oct 2010

Posted on October 21, 2010 by idfspokesperson

In a ceremony today in the Kirya compound, Major General Tal Russo officially marked the beginning of his position as GOC Southern Command, replacing Major General Yoav Galant who is designated to be the next IDF Chief of the General Staff.

Maj. Gen. Galant is set to begin preparations for his upcoming Chief of Staff position.

Pictured from left to right: current Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi; GOC Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Tal Russo; designated Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant; Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak.

IDF Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Meets with Hungarian Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Tibor Benko, 18 Oct 2010

Posted on October 18, 2010 by idfspokesperson

The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi met with his Hungarian counterpart, Lieutenant General Tibor Benko this morning at the Aviv base located in northern Tel Aviv. The Hungarian Defense Minister also joins Lt. Gen. Tibor Benko in his work visit to Israel.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi briefed his counterpart on the security challenges that the Israel Defense Forces currently face. During the rest of his visit to Israel, Lt. Gen. Benko will visit the Yad Va’Shem Holocaust museum and will tour throughout Jerusalem. This is Lt. Gen. Benko’s first visit to Israel as Chief of Staff. He has been in office for approximately a year.

Gaza Strip Weekly Crossing Report for October 10th-14th, 18 Oct 2010

Posted on October 18, 2010 by idfspokesperson

During this period, a total of 991 truckloads crossed from Israel, carrying 18,232 tons of goods, humanitarian aid and development assistance for Gaza’s civilian population.

In addition, 1,980,578 liters of Heavy-Duty Diesel fuel were transferred to the Gaza Power Plant and UNRWA, 800 tons of cooking gas, and 29,499 liters of gasoline were transferred into the Strip.

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