Monthly Archives: March 2011

New IDF Spokesperson to be Appointed

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The Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, approved the recommendation of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, to appoint Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai to be the next IDF Spokesperson.

Brig. Gen. Mordechai served many years in the intelligence and coordination fields.

Brig. Gen. Mordechai will replace Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu, following a thorough overlap period.

Brig. Gen. Benayahu is completing his 4 year tenure as IDF Spokesperson, and will continue his IDF service in the upcoming months carrying out a project as directed by the Chief of the General Staff.

Civil Administration Assists Palestinian Sector With Wastewater Treatment

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The Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, the Israeli body responsible for administering and coordinating civilian and humanitarian needs in the West Bank, greatly supports the development of treating wastewater in the West Bank. As such, it has approved, backed and cooperated with others in order to bring about progress in water conservation and enhancement of the quality of life for the Palestinian sector.

Being that water is an extremely scarce resource in the Middle East, Israel has adopted various agricultural techniques to deal with this paucity–one of which is to reuse wastewater for farming (treated wastewater constitutes 72% of water used in Israeli agriculture, a percentage significantly higher than most developed nations in the world). In contrast, the Palestinian sector which uses 50% of water resources on agriculture,  reuses almost no wastewater, therefore depleting the scarce supply of freshwater.

The Civil Administration seeks to remedy this by working with international organizations and the Palestinian Water Authority to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure in the West Bank.

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IDF Home Front Command Delegation Departs for Japan to Assess Medical Needs

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This evening, Saturday 19.03.11 at 21:00, a primary force consisting of three officers led by Col. Dr. Ariel Bar, Commander of the Home Front Medical Division left for the disaster zone in Japan. The mission’s goal is to assess the extent of medical assistance needed by the Japanese government.

The force left for the disaster zone at the request of the Japanese government, equipped with all the necessary protective equipment in light of the current situation in the country.

The Home Front Command held an assessment meeting this evening led by the GOC of the Home Front Command Maj. Gen. Yair Golan in order to prepare the humanitarian mission to dispatch in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anti-tank Missile Fired at IDF Force Near Security Fence in Southern Gaza Strip

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A short while ago, an anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF force performing a routine activity near the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip.

IDF Soldiers Holding Anti-Tank Missile

Archive: IDF soldiers examining an anti-tank missile fired at an IDF tank

Terror organizations constantly attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. 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 choose the method of response as per arising security assessments.

General Closure of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during Purim

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In accordance with the directives of the Minister of Defense and as part of the situation assessments adopted by the defense establishment, a general closure will be implemented in the West Bank during the Jewish holiday of Purim as of Thursday, March 17th, 2011 at 23:59. The closure will be lifted on the night of Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 23:59, in accordance with security assessments.

For the duration of the closure, persons in need of medical attention will be permitted to pass for care. The passage of humanitarian aid as well as doctors, medical personnel, NGO members, lawyers, journalists, religious workers and additional professional groups will be authorized by the District Coordination and Liaison office.

The IDF will continue to operate in order to protect the citizens of Israel while maintaining the quality of life of the Palestinian population in the area.

Developments in Policy Towards the West Bank and Gaza in 2010

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9zwP4LDUYM&feature=channel_video_title]

The following video is a summary of the civil policies undertaken by the Coordinator of Government Activities (COGAT) during 2010.

Despite the constant rocket fire emanating from the Gaza Strip towards Israel (over 230 rockets and mortars fired in 2010), civilian policy was expanded in order to enable improvements  in the Gaza residents’ quality of life. There was a 30% increase of the quantity of goods entering the Gaza Strip, and a substantial increase in internationally funded projects improving the infrastructure, education, health, agriculture in the Strip. This and other civil policy changes implemented by Israel led to 11% rise in GDP in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of 2010.

Trade and economic growth increased in the West Bank as a result of increased freedom of movement (98 roadblocks removed), the easing of restrictions, ongoing coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and the stable security environment. Tourism steeply rose, with a 48% increase in the number of tourists in comparison to 2009.

In Response to Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Terror Activity Site in the Gaza Strip

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Earlier today, IAF aircraft targeted a terror activity site in the Central Gaza Strip. A direct hit was confirmed.

The targeting of the terror activity site was in response to this morning’s firing of a military-use projectile at the Sdot Negev Regional Council, home to approximately 8,000 residents.

Over 60 mortar shells, Qassam rockets and Grad rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip and landed in Israeli territory since the beginning of 2011.

The IDF will not allow the Israeli southern communities to continue living under constant threat, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the citizens of Israel. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

List of Weaponry Found on the “Victoria”

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Updated photos from the Ashdod Port

Weaponry Found On-Board the "Victoria"

Some of the 230 120 mm mortar shells which were on-board the "Victoria". There were approximately 2,500 total mortar shells on the ship. The weaponry was transferred without the knowledge of the vessel's crew.

Below is a preliminary list of weaponry and weaponry systems discovered and unloaded this morning at the Ashdod Port hidden in the cargo of the “Victoria” vessel.

  • 230 mortar shells, 120 mm
  • 2,270 mortar shells, 60 mm
  • 6 C-704 anti-ship missiles
  • 2 radar systems manufactured in England
  • 2 launchers
  • 2 hydraulic mounting cranes for radar system
  • 66,960  bullets for the Kalashnikov, 7.62 millimeter

It is important to note that the C-704 shore-to-sea missiles have a range of 35 kilometers and according to assessments, their intended destination to the Gaza Strip would have constituted a significant gain in the weapons capabilities of terror organizations operating there.

Weaponry Found On-Board the "Victoria"

Canister containing the C-704 anti-ship shore-to-sea missile. The missile, used by the Iranian military, has a range of 35 km and was intended for the use of terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The identification document for the anti-ship missiles was in Persian and contained emblems of the Iranian government throughout. In addition, the ship left from the Syrian port of Lattakia before stopping in Turkey to make its way to Egypt. To the IDF’s understanding,  Egypt and Turkey had no prior knowledge of the weaponry.

Weaponry Found On-Board the "Victoria"

An instruction manual for the C-704 anti-ship missile written in Persian further highlights Iran's involvement in the weapons smuggling on-board the "Victoria". The manual contained various emblems of the Iranian government.

This incident further demonstrates Iranian and Syrian involvement in strengthening and arming terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and elsewhere.

C-704 Anti-Ship Missiles Found On-Board the “Victoria”

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"Victoria" Cargo Ship Carrying Weaponry

From an initial investigation, strategic weapons were found on-board the “Victoria”–many 60 and 120 mm mortar shells, and C-704 anti-ship missiles. The C-704 shore-to-sea missiles had a range of 35 kilometers and its likely use along the Gaza Strip endangers not only infrastructure near the Gaza sea, but Israeli shore cities in close proximity such as Ashkelon.

Iran is known to possess these type of missiles, which, along with identifying documents (including a missile identification document, below) gives substantial evidence of Iran’s involvement in the weapons smuggling attempt, and yet another example of Iran’s use of innocent merchant ships as a means of transferring arms to terrorist organizations.

C-704 Anti-Ship Missile Found on "Victoria"

C-704 Anti-Ship Missile Found on "Victoria"

Missile Identification Document in Persian

Missile identification document in Persian reads the name of missile ("Nasser"), system missile, date of manufacture, which bears the Iranian governmental emblem