Monthly Archives: October 2010

Gaza Strip Civilian and Humanitarian Aid Monthly Report – September, 17 Oct 2010

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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. This report details the humanitarian measures taken during the month of September 2010, as well as general transfers of goods and services to the Strip.

3,427 truckloads of food, fuel, and other materials entered the Gaza Strip last month. Due to the September holidays, there was a 33% reduction in the volume of truckloads for the month of September, however, there was a 46% in the volume of heavy diesel fuel delivered to Gaza’s power plant. Various ongoing projects are being coordinated by the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and international aid organization, including the completion of 151 UNRWA housing units this month. In addition, 46 truckloads of cement, iron and other building materials have been transferred for the purpose of the construction of a water treatment plant in northern Gaza. After an Israeli Cabinet decision in June 2010, the capacity of the Kerem Shalom Crossing was nearly doubled so that 250 truckloads could enter the Gaza Strip on a daily basis.

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IAF Thwarts Rocket Launch Attempt by Terrorist Squad

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Earlier this morning, the IAF targeted and identified hitting a squad of terror operatives who were preparing to fire rockets from the Northern Gaza strip into Israel.

Hamas Rocket Found in Civilian Home

Archive: A Hamas rocket found after it landed in a civilian home in Israel.

Over 440 rockets have been fired into Israel since the end of Operation Cast Lead, more than 165 of them in 2010 alone.

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.

Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Visits Israel Air Force, 16 Oct 2010

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Lieutenant General J.H.M.P (Jac) Jansen, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), visited Israel this week as the personal guest of Major General Ido Nehushtan, IAF Commander. Lt. Gen. Jansen’s visit took place as part of the effort to strengthen the professional relationship and cooperation between the RNLAF and the IAF.

During the course of his visit, Lt. Gen. Jansen toured the “Palmachim” IAF base, where he visited the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Squadron and the “Hetz” unit (anti-ballistic missiles), and the “Ramon” IAF base where he visited both combat helicopter and combat jet squadrons.

Lt. Gen. Jansen also visited the “Yad Vashem” holocaust museum, took an aerial tour of Israel with IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Nehushtan, and held meetings with both Maj. Gen. Nehushtan and other senior officers of the IAF.

IAF and Hellenic Air Force Conduct Combined Exercise in Greece, 14 Oct 2010

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This week, a combined training of the IAF and the Hellenic Air Force took place in Greece. This training included flight and landing in mountainous terrain and under changing weather conditions. The IAF aircrafts that took part in the exercise were Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopters from the “Hatzerim” Air Force base and Apache (AH-64) helicopters from the “Ramon” Air Force base. The aircrafts trained alongside Hellenic Air Force helicopters (Apache AH-64 and AS332 Super Puma) and combat jets.

The head of the Helicopter Air Division, Brig. Gen. David Barki, and the commanders of “Ramon” and “Hatzerim” IAF bases visited the training squadrons yesterday, and participated in both the training and the joint conclusion of the exercise, which included chief representatives from the Hellenic Air Force.

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IDF Soldiers Safeguard Palestinians During Olive Harvest Season, 14 Oct 2010

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In coordination with the Civil Administration, the Israeli Police, and international non-profit organizations, Soldiers from the Kfir Brigade safeguard Palestinians during the olive harvest season in the West Bank.

As part of the preparations, Civil Administration officials met with their Palestinian counterparts, representatives from various villages in the region, and Palestinian olive oil manufacturers in order to coordinate a schedule for the harvest. In addition, Israeli security forces conducted security assessments and authorized the plan for the harvest, during which they will provide round-the-clock security.

The IDF and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) respect this mission with high importance and value, understand the cultural and economic significance of the olive harvest to the Palestinian people of the region, and will operate accordingly so as to allow for the harvest to occur.

For more information about the full initiative refer to this announcement.

 

Germany’s Military Chief of Staff Received by IDF Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, 13 Oct 2010

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Chief of Staff of the German Armed Forces, General Volker Wieker was received today by IDF Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi at the Qirya Base with an honor guard. This followed General Wieker’s visit yesterday to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, where he placed a wreath in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

General Wieker’s seven-day working visit is his first visit to Israel and one of his first foreign visits as the Commander of the German military.

This visit is part of a series of visits by foreign delegations to the IDF, aimed at strengthening international military cooperation, which Israel views as an critical element in dealing with a variety of global challenges, most notably the war on terror.

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Photography: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Speaks at Joint Combat Exercise Demonstration, 12 Oct 2010

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A demonstration of the Joint Combat Exercise took place today, Tuesday October 12th,  2010, at the IDF base in Shizafon. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, and the Chief of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman, attended the event. Senior ground forces officers also participated in the demonstration.

The Joint Combat Exercise demonstration is a display of ground forces capabilities, in which Officers’ Training School cadets from the infantry, engineering, armored, and artillery corps perform exercises that combine various and diverse combat techniques. These included urban warfare, advancing through complex obstacles, using artillery support, and invasion techniques, along with aerial support from the Israel Air Force, which included medical evacuations and aerial re-supplies.

As part of implementing lessons learnt from operations in recent years, the ground forces are engaged in a process of improving interoperability cooperation. This process is incorporated throughout IDF training and in the development of combat doctrine and was demonstrated throughout today’s Joint Combat Exercise demonstration.

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German Military Chief of Staff Visits “Yad Va-Shem” Holocaust Memorial Museum, 12 Oct 2010

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The German Military Chief of Staff, General Volker Wieker, toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Jerusalem earlier today. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, accompanied General Weiker on his tour, which included visiting Yad Va-Shem, the Hall of Names and the museums’ child commemoration wing, Yad La-Yeled.

Later, General Wieker and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi placed a wreath to commemorate those killed in the Holocaust in a ceremony that took place in the Hall of Remembrance.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi concluded: “I am pleased to stand here today, as the Israeli Chief of the General Staff, next to the commander of the German military, who is visiting Israel for the first time. This visit expresses the special relationship between the IDF and the German military. General Wieker is starting his three day visit in Israel which I am sure will be interesting, professional and productive.”

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Commander of the German Military, General Volker Wieker, Visits Israel as Guest of IDF Chief of the General Staff, 11 Oct 2010

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The Commander of the German military, General Volker Wieker, will arrive in Israel tomorrow (Tuesday) for a several-day work visit, as the guest of IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi.

This is General Wieker’s first visit to Israel and one of his first foreign visits as the Commander of the German military.

General Wieker will begin his visit with a tour of the Yad Vashem museum, where he will attend a special memorial ceremony and lay a bouquet of flowers in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Upon his arrival, General Wieker will attend an honorary guard at the Qirya base in Tel-Aviv and then proceed to a work meeting with Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi. Lt. Gen. Wieker will attend security and strategy assessments held by members of the General Staff, meet with the next Chief of the General Staff, GOC Southern Command, Major General Yoav Galant and hold several tours in the IDF Northern Command and the Israel Air Force.

The IDF sees international military cooperation as essential to deal with mutual challenges, most notably the war on terror. General Wieker’s visit to Israel is part of a series of visits to the IDF, including visits by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Military, the Commander of the Bulgarian Military, the Commander of the Kenyan Military and more.

Merkava Mark 4 with “Trophy” (Meil Ruach) Active Tank Defense System to be Presented in Joint Combat Exercise Demonstration for First Time, 11 Oct 2010

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A demonstration of the Joint Combat Exercise will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12th, at the IDF base of Shizafon. The event will be in the presence of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, and the Chief of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman. Senior ground forces officers will also participate in the joint combat demonstration.

The Joint Combat Exercise summarizes the training of ground force officer cadets and its objective is to implement the collaboration between the different branches and corps. Tomorrow’s demonstration will display the ground forces’ abilities, in which Officers’ Training School cadets from the infantry, engineering, armored, and artillery corps perform drills that combine various diverse combat techniques. These include urban warfare, advancing through complex obstacles, using artillery support, and employing invasion techniques, along with aerial support of the Israel Air Force, including medical evacuations and aerial re-supplies.

This demonstration will commence the Joint Combat Exercise that continues for ten days. The demonstration includes live fire and presents the interoperability of the ground and air forces by displaying a combined battalion fighting in different operational settings.

This will be the first joint combat demonstration in which the Merkava Tank Mark 4 and the “Trophy” (Meil Ruach) active tank defense system will be presented. The Meil Ruach system is a new defense system against anti-tank missiles and will be demonstrated by firing a dummy missile at the tank.