Israeli Convoy Delivers Medical Supplies to Gaza

Posted on June 13, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Today, Israel sent 19 truckloads of medical equipment to Gaza’s Jordanian field hospital via the Erez Crossing. The Israeli aid convoy also included 195 Jordanian hospital staff members — who replaced outgoing staff — one fuel tank, one refrigerated truck and transportable buildings, which will expand existing hospital space by 300 meters.

Efforts such as providing Gaza’s civilian population with medical supplies–are coordinated daily by two Israeli bodies: The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration. The organizations also provide aid in fields including health, education, agriculture and infrastructure in particular.

Some facts about the Jordanian field hospital:

The Jordanian field hospital in Gaza treats approx. 1,000 people each day
Most of the basic medical procedures are taken care of by the field hospital, meaning that Gaza residents visiting Israeli hospitals are only those in need of complicated surgery, specialist opinions, or long-term treatments
The field hospital is supplied with new medical equipment transferred via Israel every 10-14 days on average
Jordanian doctors, nurses, and medical professionals staff the hospital, sent from hospitals in Jordan, and are switched out with new personnel every 3-4 weeks on average
The medical staff enter Israel via the Allenby Bridge (“King Hussein Bridge”) — along with the Jordanian soldiers meant to guard them – with no security checks, and the same goes for those returning to Jordan

Photos: 2005 Disengagement from the Gaza Strip

Posted on June 12, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Over 250 photos have been uploaded on the IDF’s official Flickr account taken during the 2005 disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

The last IDF soldiers leaving Gaza at the end of the 2005 disengagement

On June 6, 2004, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made the decision to disengage from Gaza. He enacted the plan to evacuate all Israeli citizens and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005.

Continue reading “Photos: 2005 Disengagement from the Gaza Strip” »

Video: Protest in Umm Salamuna

Posted on June 10, 2011 by idfspokesperson

The following video is of a protest which took place yesterday in Umm Salamuna, southeast of Bethlehem in the West Bank. Every Friday afternoon, protesters gather in the town to demonstrate against the security fence, which has dramatically decreased suicide bombings and other terror attacks inside Israel for over 6 years. Protests in Umm Salamuna often turn violent, with rocks being hurled at IDF and other security forces by rioters who also damage the security fence.

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In the video, the deputy battalion commander of the Kfir Brigade offers water to the protesters due to the extremely high temperature mid-afternoon that day. The Palestinian protest leader tells his supporters, “Don’t drink the water!” following which a woman dumps out a cup of water offered to her by the commander.

The soldiers stood next to a pile of rocks in order to ensure that no rocks would be hurled. Later, rocks ended up being hurled at IDF soldiers by Palestinian rioters who had stuffed their pockets with rocks and ran. The IDF soldiers responded with riot dispersal means.

IDF Chief of Staff visits Northern Command

Posted on June 6, 2011 by idfspokesperson

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, visits Northern Command Following "Naksa Day"

IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, visited the 36th Armored Division, which is subordinate to the Northern Command. “We must remain alert and prepared,” said Lt. Gen Gantz. “The IDF is prepared to use all the defensive means at its disposal to prevent terrorist attacks and large scale attempts to breach the border.”

Lt. Gen. Gantz met with GOC Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, Commander of the 36th Armored Division, Brig. Gen. Eyal Zamir and soldiers stationed at the northern security fence. He received a situation assessment and debriefing on the previous day’s events including conclusions reached at all levels of the IDF’s command structure.

IDF Ensures Palestinian Ambulances Cross Into Israel During Qalandiya Riots

Posted on June 5, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Today, rioters hurled rocks and burned tires near Qalandiya Crossing. Nonetheless, IDF forces ensured that Palestinians would be able to enter Israel as usual. This morning, two Palestinian patients were evacuated from a Palestinian Authority run hospital to Israeli hospitals: a heart patient for a cincture operation in a hospital in eastern Jerusalem, and a patient with difficulty breathing to Asaf Hospital in Rishon Lezion. Likewise, the Civil Administration’s services in the West Bank were open and available to the public as usual and were not disturbed by today’s events near Qalandiya Crossing. In addition, pedestrian walkways located relatively near where the riots occurred have remained open to afford the local Palestinian population to continue its routine way of life.

“Naksa Day” Rioters Near Majdal Shams Are Warned Not to Breach Border

Posted on June 5, 2011 by idfspokesperson

IDF Soldiers Prepare Near Israeli-Syrian Border

IDF soldiers prepare for expected "Naqsa Day" riots in Majdal Shams near the Israeli-Syrian border.

Below is a warning issued by the IDF to rioters approaching the Syrian-Israeli border near Majdal Shams:

“Stop! You are breaching an international border. We warn you not to damage security infrastructure. Whosoever attempts to violate Israel’s sovereignty or security infrastructure puts himself in jeopardy. Please return to Syria.”

Video of the warning:

Video of the rioters hurling rocks:

The 4th Annual Ground Forces Race

Posted on June 2, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Legendary Chief Warrant Officer Itzahk Tito starts the race for tens of thousands of soldiers and commanders who took part

The 4th Annual Ground Forces Race was held today, 2.6.11, at the Officer’s Training School in Mizpe Ramon, southern Israel. Over 10,000 soldiers of different ranks participated in the race, which is one of the largest military races in the world. Participants had a choice of partaking in either a 10 km competitive run, or 3,6 and 10 km non-competitive runs.

As part of the IDF’s dedication to promoting a healthy lifestyle among its soldiers, a variety of sporting events, classes and courses are offered to different units. Investment in physical fitness helps improve soldier’s performances in all fields, and benefits both the soldier personally as well as the IDF in general.

The winner of the 10 km run

IDF Revamps Official Website

Posted on June 1, 2011 by idfspokesperson

The official website will be re-launched tomorrow, June 2^nd 2011. The website has been redesigned and upgraded and will now be synchronized with social networks.

The website will be the official gateway to the IDF online, and will eventually serve as a portal to the various IDF related websites. The site will provide news updates and information (also during emergencies), serving as an official IDF channel relaying directly to both the public in Israel and abroad.

New visual and content upgrades have been made, adding official operational updates, IDF Spokesperson announcements (including archives) and articles from the various IDF commands and branches written by the website’s team of journalists. The website, updated 24/7, will include features on routine and operational activity, and special events.

The new English IDF website

Approximately 700,000 visits are made to the IDF website every month, 65% of which are from Israel with the remainder visiting from over 150 countries worldwide. During operational events the site is updated in real time, and the number of page views is five times the normal daily traffic.

The IDF website can be viewed in Hebrew and English, and in the future, will be available in French and Arabic.

The IDF website is operated by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit and commanded by Cpt. Tzahi Biran, who also serves as its editor-in-chief and oversees a staff of twenty soldiers: editors, reporters and translators. “The main improvement the revamped website offers is the natural sync with the official IDF social network platforms. It is clear to us that internet surfers live through social networks, and look to them for information, using them to directly contact the IDF”, said Cpt. Biran.