Monthly Archives: November 2010

Gaza Strip Weekly Crossing Report for November 21st to 27th, 30 Nov 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 on a daily basis. The following report details cross-border activities for the third week of November 2010.

During this period, a total of 1,040 truckloads crossed from Israel, carrying 25,303 tons of goods, humanitarian aid and development assistance for Gaza’s civilian population.

In addition, 1,165,438 liters of Heavy-Duty Diesel fuel were transferred to the Gaza Power Plant, as well as 546 tons of cooking gas and 36,500 liters of gasoline transferred into the Strip. 293 patients and accompanying individuals exited Gaza for medical treatment and 290 international organization staff members entered the Strip.

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Three Terrorists Responsible for September Shooting Attack Arrested in Joint IDF-ISA Operation, 30 Nov 2010

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The three men responsible for the September 26th, 2010 terrorist attack in which a pregnant woman and her husband were injured, were arrested in a joint IDF-ISA operation in early October. The three admitted to planning and executing the shooting attack, which took place near Teneh Omarim (southern Hebron Mountain area), as well as planning additional attacks and actively recruiting for the extremist ‘Abu Musa’ terrorist organization. Large quantities of munitions were confiscated during the arrest operation.

The terror cell members:

  • Nabil Halil Hareb, born in 1964
  • Sameh Salem Saruh, born in 1977
  • Mahmad Nasrallah, born in 1971

All three members are residents of Daharia.

The head of the cell, Nabil Hareb, whose family immigrated to Jordan when he was a child, was recruited in 1979 (at the age of 15) by Fatah, and underwent military training in Lebanon. He returned to the Palestinian territories in 1999. In 2008, Hareb left for Jordan where he was recruited by a member of the Abu Musa wing named Eid Maeit, originally from Daharia, who has been residing in Jordan for the past 20 years. Hareb was sent to military training in Syria and tasked by his commander in Jordan to execute an attack, and received $25,000 to purchase ammunition.

Hareb then approached Sameh Saruh and recruited him to Abu Musa, and informed him of the plans. In July 2010 Saruh journeyed to Jordan to meet with Eid Maeit, who then gave him the green light for the attack. Saruh purchased large quantities of ammunition, and recruited Mahmad Nasrallah to their cell. The two purchased a vehicle, and did preliminary reconnaissance in the area of the attack.

On September 26th, 2010, Hareb drove around the area of the attack to ensure there was no unusual IDF presence. After he updated Saruh and Nasrallah, they proceeded to execute the attack. While Nasrallah drove, Saruh fired at Israeli vehicles.

During their questioning, the men admitted that they had planned additional attacks. Specifically they had begun following an Israeli civilian who frequents Daharia. Initially they had planned to kidnap him, until they had decided in favor of a shooting attack. Their questioning also led Israeli forces to their munitions cache, which included two M-16 assault rifles (one of which was used in the September attack), M-16 magazines and bullets, a pistol and silencer, a LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) rocket, an improvised TNT explosive device, night vision weapons equipment, and various other ammunition.

Legal proceedings against the three men have commenced at the Ofer Military Court.

IAF and Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) Conclude Combined Exercise in Sardinia, 28 Nov 2010

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The Israel Air Force and the Italian Air Force concluded an extensive, two-week exercise in Sardinia on Friday November 26th, 2010.

The participating IAF squadrons were “The Twin-Tail Knights” and “The Spearhead” F-15 squadrons from the Tel-Nof IAF base, and the “Defenders Of The South” and “The Golden Eagle” F-16 squadrons from the Nevatim IAF base.

This exercise was the first overseas training for the “Eitam” (G550) Air Traffic Control Aircraft.

The Italian Air Force trained using several advanced aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon, AMX, Panavia Tornado, and F-16).

The exercise was conducted in order to preserve IAF operational capabilities, train the aircrafts in large airspaces and unfamiliar spheres along with foreign aircrafts.

This allows the IAF to learn from foreign air forces and to familiarize itself with the NATO military tactics while strengthening the ongoing cooperation with the Italian Air Force.

The exercise was conducted according to a pre-planned yearly training schedule, and it is part of the extensive cooperation network between the different IDF forces and other nations and militaries around the world.

Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh Appointed Deputy IDF Chief of the General Staff, 25 Nov 2010

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Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Thanks Outgoing Deputy IDF Chief of General Staff, Maj Gen. Benny Gantz “For an outstanding military service.”

Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh was appointed yesterday (Tuesday) as Deputy IDF Chief of the General Staff, replacing Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz who has held the position for over a year and a half and is to retire from the IDF after a 33 year-long service.

The ceremony, held in the chambers of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, at camp “Rabin” in Tel Aviv, was at the presence of Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Matan Vilnai, members of the General Staff and family members.

The Minister of Defense wished Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh good luck and thanked Maj. Gen. Gantz for a long service commenting that:”Maj. Gen. Gantz has made a lasting impression on thousands of people throughout years of field leadership and has made a lasting impression on the security of Israel” Mr. Barak continued commenting: “You are all a part of the foundation of this state and can look ahead with proud and satisfaction”.

The Chief of the General staff also thanked Maj. Gen. Gantz, commenting that: “Benny, whom I have known for years is an officer and a gentleman, a human being and a warrior”. Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi mentioned that Maj. Gen. Gantz served in various commanding positions and has completed them with great success. “As my deputy, he has led some of the more sensitive matters in the IDF with great professionalism and has brought us to many achievements. I thank him for an outstanding service”. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi wished luck to his newly appointed deputy, who has served on different positions on various fronts.

Outgoing Deputy of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz has counted that he feels that he was an active and caring on all fronts over the past three decades and wished his successor Maj. Gen. Naveh and the next Chief of General Staff, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant luck and has thanked Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi for his leadership and friendship.

Maj. Gen. Gantz mentioned that he plans to visit the “Tel Nof” Paratroopers Brigade memorial where he will pay his respects to his fallen commanders, soldiers and friends and will salute them for the last time. Maj. Gen. Gantz said he hopes that his actions throughout the years were worthy of the men who died committing them.

Maj. Gen. Naveh thanked the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff for their trust in him saying he feels he is coming home after three years, to a more focused, well- trained and well- equipped military.

Maj. Gen. Gantz thanked his predecessor and wished him luck.

Below are the CVs of Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh and Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz. The current Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Naveh:

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The outgoing Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Gantz:

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Gaza Strip Weekly Crossing Report for November 14th to 20th, 24 Nov 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 on a daily basis. The following report details cross-border activities for the third week of November 2010.

Due to observance of the festival of Eid al-Ad’ha, the crossing points into Gaza operated at partial capacity during this period. Nevertheless, a total of 561 truckloads crossed from Israel, carrying 15,320 tons of commercial goods, humanitarian aid and development assistance for Gaza’s civilian population.

In addition, 918,904 liters of Heavy-Duty Diesel fuel were transferred to the Gaza Power Plant, and 317 tons of cooking gas were transferred into the Strip. 164 patients and accompanying individuals exited Gaza for medical treatment and 73 international organization staff members entered the Strip.

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In Response to Intensive Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Smuggling Tunnel in the Gaza Strip, 20 Nov 2010

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Last night, the IAF struck a smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. A direct hit was confirmed.

The IAF targeted the tunnel in response to rockets fired at Israel’s southern communities over the past three days: eight mortar shells were fired and landed in open territories and a Grad rocket was fired early Friday morning, it landed in the Merchavim Regional Council, and caused damage.

The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. The IDF will also continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

In Response to Intensive Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Terror-Linked Sites in the Gaza Strip, 19 Nov 2010

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A short while ago, the IAF struck three terror sites in the Gaza Strip. Direct hits were identified.

The targeting of these terror-linked sites was in response to the firing of rockets at Israel’s Southern communities over the past two days: ten mortar shells were fired and landed in open territories and a Grad rocket was fired early this morning, causing damage.

The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. The IDF will also continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

Photos: IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Visits US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen at the Pentagon, 18 Nov 2010

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The IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi continued his work visit to North America and was hosted yesterday at the Pentagon by the United States chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen.

The photos show Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi during the respective playing of their national anthems at the Pentagon ceremony welcoming Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, after which both leaders addressed the media during a press availability.

Photography: United States Navy

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Joint IDF-ISA Operation Targets Senior Salafist Terror Organization Operative in the Gaza Strip, 17 Nov 2010

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A joint IDF-ISA operation in the Northern Gaza Strip targeted a senior operative from the “Army of Islam” terror organization today, 17 November, 2010. During the targeted operation, the operative, Jabalia resident Islam Yasin (born 1975), was killed.

Islam Yasin was a senior operative in the “Army of Islam” terror organization and a close assistant to the head of the terrorist group, Mamtaz Dur’mush. Most recently, Yasin had been personally involved in directing and planning a terror attack which was to involve the kidnapping of Israelis in the Sinai Peninsula.

Yasin operated with Muhammad Jamal Fares Namnam, who was targeted on 3 November 2010, also due to his involvement in the previously noted attack. It should be emphasized that despite the targeted strike on Namnam, the cell continued operating with the intention to execute the terror attack.

Photos: IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi is Hosted by Chief of the Defense Staff of the Canadian Forces, General Walter Natynczyk, 16 Nov 2010

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Yesterday, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi met with his Canadian counterpart, General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defense Staff of the Canadian Forces. The meeting took place as part of a series of work-related visits by the IDF Chief of Staff in Canada and the United States.

Photography: Canadian Department of National Defence

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