Memorial Ceremony for Fallen Israel Navy Soldiers

Posted on August 31, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers from the Israel Navy on August 30, 2011, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz mentioned his recent tour in southern Israel:

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I met with our troops in the field, who serve with pride and a sense of mission. They scanned and patrolled the terrain with determination–these soldiers are the face and character of the IDF. We continue to work hard to achieve a higher purpose for the IDF: To bring peace and security to our region.

Standing near an Ashdod monument commemorating the Navy’s fallen soldiers, Lt. Gen. Gantz addressed a crowd full of bereaved families:

Our fallen soldiers are missed on the ships of the Navy. They are missed at family occasions of joy and sadness. The IDF is committed to preserving the memory of fallen soldiers and standing next to their loved ones, just like they defended our lives.

Israel Navy ship

IDF Ambulance Attacked with Molotov Cocktail

Posted on August 29, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Last night, in response to reports of a serious car accident on the road toward a Palestinian area in Judea and Samaria, IDF paramedics sped off in order to aid the injured. Their mission came to an abrupt halt, however, when they were attacked; a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the ambulance they were riding in. Undeterred, they continued on their mission: to provide emergency care to all residents of Judea and Samaria, whether Israeli or Palestinian.

The IDF paramedics serving in the unit that was attacked study in a fourteen-month-long intensive course. During the course, they are prepared to work in relatively dangerous areas. The paramedics must take appropriate precautions in order to ensure that their potential patients are not, in fact, terrorists: they must wear helmets and flak jackets to protect themselves.

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They cooperate with both Israeli and Palestinian rescue services throughout Judea and Samaria and are responsible for ensuring the health and welfare of all those residing in the area. IDF paramedics will treat victims of car accidents on the main road leading to Palestinian towns, and often residents of those towns will go outside the city limits to receive medical attention.

It was on just such a mission, to provide medical care irrespective of whether the patient is Israeli or Palestinian, that the IDF paramedics were attacked last night.

Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Gantz: “Residents living near the border depend on us to protect them”

Posted on August 26, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Today, (Friday) the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin (Benny) Gantz visited the western part of the Israel-Egyptian border. Together with Maj. Gen. Tal Russo, Commander of the Southern Command, Brig. Gen. Yossi Bahar, commander of the Gaza Division, and Southern Brigade Commander Col. Tal. Hermoni, he surveyed the area.

During his visit, the Chief of Staff spoke with soldiers and was briefed by the commanders on local threats and the readiness of local forces to combat them.

“Residents living near the border depend on us to protect them”, said Lt. Gen. Gantz to combat soldiers in the field.

The IDF Chief of Staff,Lt. Gen. Benjamin Gantz

Today, (Friday) the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin (Benny) Gantz visited the western part of the Israel-Egyptian border together with Maj. Gen. Tal Russo, Commander of the Southern Command.

He added: “Terrorist organizations are taking advantage of the current situation in Gaza and in the Sinai in order to use them as a springboard for terror attacks on the Israeli border. Peace with Egypt is of great strategic importance.”

At the end of his visit, Chief of Staff Gantz also met with the head of the Eshkol Regional Council, Chaim Yellin, who provided a survey of recent events within the council’s jurisdiction and of the fortitude of local residents in the face of recent shooting attacks.

”The IDF will act decisively to combat attempts to harm the residents of Israel’s south”, the Chief of Staff told Mr. Yellin. “I appreciate the support all of you have given to the IDF; it is the resilience of the local residents that will allow the IDF to act at the right time against those who seek our harm.”

The IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Gantz speaks with soldiers

IAF Targets Terrorist Squad which Fired Mortar at Erez Crossing

Posted on August 25, 2011 by idfspokesperson

A squad of terrorists that had fired a mortar shell at the Erez Crossing earlier today was targeted shortly after by an IAF aircraft, in the northern Gaza Strip. A hit was confirmed.

Terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip have fired over 15 rockets and mortars at Israel so far today, the Erez Crossing was severely damaged as a result.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers and will continue to operate with strength and determination against any element which uses terror against the State of Israel. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Mortar that damaged the Erez crossing

Sleepless Night of Rocket Fire in Southern Israel

Posted on August 25, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Last night, at least 17 rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel. The attack wounded a nine-month-old infant and damaged property. This followed a day of relative quiet after a week during which terrorists had fired more than a hundred rockets into southern Israel, home to one million Israeli civilians.

Israel vehicle damaged by rockets fired from Gaza.

Photos: Devastation to Israeli vehicle caused by rocket fire from Gaza yesterday

At around 8 P.M., terrorists fired three rockets from Gaza, breaking the calm that had prevailed on Wednesday. No civilians were injured.

A couple of hours later, four more rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. One of the rockets aimed at the city of Beersheba, was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. One of the rockets struck nearby, wounding a nine-month-old infant. Shortly thereafter, several more rockets fell, bringing the total number of rockets to at least 17.

The state of Israel will not tolerate terrorism against its citizens, and the Israel Defense Forces will do all it can to protect the citizens of Israel.

In Response to Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Three Sites in Gaza

Posted on August 25, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Overnight, IAF aircraft targeted a weapons storage facility in the northern Gaza Strip as well as a smuggling tunnel and weapons manufacturing site in the southern Gaza Strip. Direct hits were confirmed.

Israeli vehicle destroyed after being hit by a rocket fired from Gaza.

The sites were targeted in response to the firing of rockets from Gaza at Israel yesterday evening. Over 10 rockets hit Israel, causing damage and injuring an infant.

Continue reading “In Response to Rocket Fire, IAF Targets Three Sites in Gaza” »

Rocket Launching Attempt Thwarted

Posted on August 24, 2011 by idfspokesperson

A few minutes ago, a squad of terrorists preparing to launch rockets into Israel was targeted by an IAF aircraft. The rocket launch attempt was thwarted after a hit was confirmed.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will not hesitate to respond with strength and determination to any element that uses terror against the state of Israel, until calm is restored. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

IAF Targets Rocket Launching Terrorists

Posted on August 24, 2011 by idfspokesperson

A short while ago, an IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad in northern Gaza as it fired rockets into Israel, at the Eshkol Regional Council. A hit was confirmed.

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will not hesitate to respond with strength and determination to those that use terror against the state of Israel, until calm is restored. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

IAF Targets Two Rocket- Launching Terrorists in Northern Gaza Strip

Posted on August 24, 2011 by idfspokesperson

Two terrorists who had fired rockets at Israel from two separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip were targeted moments after by an IAF aircraft. Hits were confirmed.

Archive: IAF Targeting Terror Facilities (Photo: IDF Website)

The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

Jihad Affiliated Terrorist Targeted in Joint IDF-ISA Activity

Posted on August 24, 2011 by idfspokesperson

In a joint IDF-Israel Security Agency activity, IAF aircraft targeted Islamic Jihad-affiliated Terrorist Ismail Zadi Ismail Asmar, born in 1974, from the city of Rafah. Ismail Asmar was involved in smuggling weapons and sought the execution of terrorist activity in Sinai. A direct hit was confirmed.

Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine

Ismail Asmar operated with terror elements in the Gaza strip which have recently made several attempts to execute terror attacks in Sinai, on the Israel-Egypt border.