Monthly Archives: December 2010

In Response to Intensive Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Hamas Terror Infrastructure in the Gaza Strip in Joint Activity with ISA, 21 December 2010

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Overnight, in a joint IAF-ISA activity, the IAF targeted seven terror related sites in the Gaza Strip. In the Northern Gaza Strip, three Hamas-operated tunnels were targeted. In the Southern Gaza Strip, an additional Hamas-operated tunnel, a smuggling tunnel, a weapons manufacturing facility and a terror activity center were targeted. All targeted hits were confirmed.

The Hamas-operated tunnels are intended for infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

The targeting of these terror related sites was in response to the firing of rockets at Israel’s southern communities over the past week: Today, nine military-use projectiles launched from the Gaza Strip landed in the Eshkol Regional Council and near the Karni Crossing. In total, thirteen projectiles fired from Gaza have landed in Israeli territory this week.

Since the beginning of 2010, over 200 Grad Missiles, Qassam Rockets and Mortar Shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.

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.

IDF Thwarts Terror Attack in Central Gaza Strip, 18 Dec 2010

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A short while ago an IAF aircraft identified, targeted and hit a squad of terror operatives who were preparing to launch rockets towards Israeli territory from the Central Gaza Strip.

More than 200 Grad Missiles, Qassam Rockets and Mortar Shells have been fired at Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010.

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.

IDF and COGAT to Make Accommodations for Christian Palestinians During the Christmas Holiday, 18 Dec 2010

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In light of the upcoming Christmas Holiday, the IDF and Civil Administration are making a number of goodwill gestures, beginning Sunday December 19th, 2010, for the benefit of the Palestinian population in the Judea and Samaria region. These measures were decided in accordance with the directives of Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, and in light of security assessments by the IDF Central Command and the Civil Administration.

As part of the preparations for the Holiday, the Coordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, and the Head of the Civil Administration, Brig. Gen. Motti Almoz, will visit church leaders and present them with the preparations made in light of the expected religious ceremonies that will take place during the holiday. In addition, officials from the Civil Administration’s Bethlehem DCO, under the command of Lt.-Col. Eyad Sirhan, met with their Palestinian counterparts and with community leaders in Bethlehem in order to ensure the Christmas ceremonies would take place in accordance with the ‘Status-Quo Principle,’ relating to the ceremonial traditions established in previous years. With that, IDF forces, the Israel Police, and the Civil Administration will further secure the Bethlehem crossings in order to better facilitate the entry of the thousands of pilgrims expected to visit the city during the holiday season.

The goodwill gestures that will be implemented for the Christmas holiday,  in place from Sunday, December 19th 2010 until Thursday, January 20th 2011 include:

  • Christian Palestinian residents of the Judea and Samaria Region (regardless of age) will be permitted to cross into Israel for the duration of the entire Christmas celebrations, including lodging.
  • 300 Christian Palestinians will be permitted to travel via the Ben Gurion International Airport for the duration of the holiday, subject to security assessment.
  • 500 Christian Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip over the age of 35 will be permitted entry into the Judea and Samaria region and into Israel for religious and family gatherings. The permits will be given subject to a security clearance.
  • 200 Christian residents of Arab countries will be permitted to enter the Judea and Samaria Region during the holiday.

The IDF will continue to operate in order to ensure that the Christian population in the Judea and Samaria Region can celebrate the Christmas Holiday.

Summary of the Events of the Carmel Forest Fire

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On the 2nd of December 2010 a blazing fire began spreading wildly through the Carmel Forest near Haifa in northern Israel, eradicating over 750 acres and resulting in the death of 44 people including firemen, police officers and Israel Prison Service cadets who were on their way to evacuate inmates. Firefighting delegations from around the world rallied to help Israel stop the spread of fire including planes and helicopters from Greece, Bulgaria, Cypress, Britain, Turkey, Russia, France, Italy, the US and Switzerland.

The IDF sent forces to assist in the fight including forces from the IAF, thousands of soldiers, hundreds of vehicles, dozens of engineering machines and military firefighting vehicles. The efforts went on for days until the fire was finally extinguished on the 5th of December.

Below is a summary of the Carmel forest fire incident, including background information on the Carmel region and Israeli firefighting services.

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IDF and Israel Ministry of Defense Send a Humanitarian Aid Delegation to Provide Relief for Colombian Flood Victims, 12 Dec 2010

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Today (Sunday, December 12th 2010), the IDF and the Israel Ministry of Defense sent a humanitarian aid delegation to provide medical care and services to the flood victims in Colombia.

The delegation will carry approximately 50 tons of equipment to Colombia, including 20 tons of dry foods, five thousand medical kits, two thousand blankets, one thousand pancho jackets, one thousand mattresses, and one hundred tents.

Commander of Home Front Command’s National Search and Rescue Unit, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Shalom Ben-Arye, said: “The IDF instructed the Home Front Command to send a humanitarian aid delegation to the Colombian flood victims. We are to land in Colombia, distribute the aid and return only once our mission is completed.”

Deputy General Manager of the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Bezalel Treiber, said: “Over the past two days there has been a rapid deployment, including approximately 50 tons of equipment. The delegation will now set out for Colombia. I wish to thank the delegation staff, the Home Front Command and the Ministry of Defense and wish them luck on their mission.”

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IDF Soldier Wounded, 2 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Incident, 11 Dec 2010

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An IDF soldier was moderately wounded during an exchange of fire near the security fence in the central Gaza Strip. The soldier was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital for further treatment.

Earlier this evening, December 11th, IDF soldiers identified two suspects near the security fence in the central Gaza Strip. The force fired towards the suspects, and they were killed as a result. During searches at the scene, shots were fired at the force, apparently resulting in the injury of one of the soldiers. An additional fire exchange took place in the area a short time later, but resulted in no casualties among IDF soldiers. The incident is currently being investigated.

Approximately 100 terror-related incidents took place near the security fence surrounding the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2010, an average of one incident every three days.

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 Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Terror-Linked Sites in the Gaza Strip, 9 Dec 2010

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Overnight, in a joint IDF-ISA operation, the Israeli Air Force struck a weapons manufacturing and storage site in the central Gaza Strip and two hubs of terror in the northern 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 24 hours: five projectiles were launched and landed in Israel, injuring one man. Approximately 200 projectiles landed in Israel since the beginning of 2010.

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 Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Terror-Linked Sites in the Gaza Strip, 8 Dec 2010

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Overnight, the IAF struck a weapons manufacturing site and a smuggling tunnel in the southern 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: three projectiles were launched and landed in Israel. Approximately 200 projectiles landed in Israel since the beginning of 2010.

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.

US Evergreen 747 Supertanker Arrives to Assist Firefighting Efforts, 5 Dec 2010

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOY5Sc1ukQo]

Brigadier General Eden, commander of the Nevatim Israel Air Force base comments on the arrival of the American Evergreen 747 Supertanker plane. Eden and two IAF pilots joined the Evergreen crew in order to assist them in directing their efforts to extinguish the fires near the area of Ein-Hod. The plane is carrying 21,000 gallons of water and flame retardant chemicals. After the Ein Hod sortie the plane will continue fire fighting efforts in other areas to be determined by assessments from the Fire Department.

Since Thursday, December 2, the Israel Air Force has been coordinating the arrival and incorporation of foreign firefighting aerial assistance. Dozens of firefighting airplanes and helicopters, as well as supply planes carrying equipment and professional teams and experts from different countries have arrived in order to assist in fighting the Carmel fires.

As of Saturday evening, December 4, 3 firefighting helicopters, 12 firefighting planes and 6 transport helicopters from Greece, Bulgaria, Cypress, Britain, Turkey, Russia, France, Italy and Switzerland had arrived in Israel.