Earlier tonight (Thursday), a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, causing damage to an abandoned building. In response, an IAF aircraft targeted a terror activity site in the central Gaza Strip overnight. A direct hit was confirmed.
The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers and will continue to operate against any element that 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.
In accordance with the decision made by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak, and as part of the security measures adopted by the defense establishment, a general closure will be implemented in the Judea and Samaria region as of tonight, September 27th, 2011 at 23:59. The closure will be lifted on Saturday night, October 1st, 2011, at 23:59, in accordance with security assessments.
Judea & Samaria Region
For the duration of the closure, persons in need of medical attention will be permitted to pass to receive care. The passage of humanitarian aid as well as doctors and medical personnel will be authorized by the District Coordination and Liaison offices.
The IDF will continue to operate in order to protect the citizens of Israel while maintaining the Palestinian day-to-day life.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz extended his warm wishes for Rosh Hashanah to the Jewish people. Taking great pride in the IDF’s technological advancements, Lt. Gen. Gantz applauded the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. “We will continue to stand strong against those who seek our demise,” said the lieutenant general.
Praying for security and peace
In his annual Rosh Hashana greeting, Lt. Gen. Gantz extended an olive branch to neighboring countries: “We pray for security and peace.” “We eagerly await the fulfillment” of Isaiah’s prophecy: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
“Even at this festive occasion, we must remember the IDF soldiers missing in action”, said Lt. Gen. Gantz as he paid tribute to Israel’s fallen and kidnapped soldiers. “We all join in prayer and share the hope that during this coming year we will see their release.”
Rosh Hashana, ushering in the Jewish calendar year of 5772, will begin at sundown Wednesday, September 29. On Rosh Hashana, Jews mark the birth of the world.
The commander of the US European Command (EUCOM), Admiral James Stavridis, departed Israel today, concluding a two-day work visit as a guest of the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz. During the course of his visit, Admiral Stavridis conducted work meetings with senior officers and toured a number of facilities throughout the country, including a site of an “Iron Dome” battery, an advanced mobile air-defense system developed with extensive US aid.
Admiral James Stavridis, with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz
EUCOM, the United States Combatant Command responsible for nearly all of Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East, and the Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, also heads many aspects of the military cooperation between Israel and the United States. One specific example of this cooperation is active missile defense.
This is the Admiral’s third visit to Israel and his first in the current year. The visit took place as part of the annual schedule of joint training and learning between EUCOM and the IDF.
During August, the Israeli authorities coordinated a two-percent increase in the truckload volume of goods and gas that was transferred to Palestinians in Gaza. Only one of many examples of Israeli-Palestinian coordination. In August alone, Israeli and Palestinian representatives held 44 joint meetings.
Israeli and Palestinian Officials Meet Over Lunch
A seven percent increase in Palestinian patients and their families
Thousands of Palestinians receive medical treatment in Israel on a yearly basis. Israeli medical facilities handled a seven-percent increase in Palestinian patients and accompanying individuals who could not have their needs met by Palestinian medical services. Six hundred and three patients and 598 accompanying individuals received travel permits, allowing them to receive medical treatment abroad, or in Israel or Judea and Samaria.
Truckloads of goods and gas enter Gaza
Throughout the month, Israel coordinated the transfer of 5,087 truckloads of goods and gas, which were delivered via the Kerem Shalom land crossing. Despite Israeli fears of Palestinians using imported construction materials for terrorist purposes, Israel permitted the import of 1,408 truckloads of construction materials into Gaza.
The IDF has increased its preparedness and raised its alertness following concrete information regarding the Hamas’, as well as other terror organizations, intentions to execute another terrorist attack along the Egyptian border in the very near future. Military sources suggest that this may be an attempt to sabotage Palestinian Authority developments in the UN.
A mutual rock hurling incident that occurred earlier this afternoon between Israeli civilians and approximately 300 Palestinians near the village of Qusra incited a violent riot, during which Palestinians hurled rocks at security personnel. During the riot, security personnel used riot dispersal means and eventually, live fire. As a result, Palestinian sources reported that three rioters were injured. Initial reports suggest that one of them was wounded and subsequently, passed away.
The IDF and the Palestinian Security Authority are jointly investigating the incident.
Thousands of Palestinians receive medical treatment in Israel on a yearly basis.
Israeli officials such as Dalia Bassa, Civil Administration health coordinator, work to ensure that patients with serious illnesses receive comprehensive treatment and care. Efforts to improve the emotional well-being of these patients involve taking children undergoing cancer treatment and their families out for day trips outside of the hospital.
Palestinian children and their parents at a bowling alley in Israel
Palestinian children at the Petting Zoo at the Ramat Gan Safari
Civil Administration Health Coordinator Dalia Bassa with Lagine Abu El Hayad and other participants at the Ramat Gan Safari
A Palestinian child smiling at the Ramat Gan Safari
There are currently 180 pediatric cancer patients from Judea and Samaria in Hadassah Hospital, of which 50 have received bone-marrow transplants.
This weekend, a group of Palestinian children receiving cancer treatment at Hadassah Hospital and their families visited the Ramat Gan Safari, Jaffa beachfront and Holon bowling alley.
The trip was made possible thanks to a coordinated effort by the Israeli Civil Administration, the Israel Cancer Association and volunteers from the ‘Encouragment From Ido’ charity for pediatric cancer patients in Jerusalem.
Meet Lagine Abu El Hayad of Bethlehem
Civil Administration Health Coordinator Dalia Bassa with Lagine Abu El Hayad and other participants at the Ramat Gan Safari.
Lagine Abu El Hayad of Bethlehem underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at Hadassah Hospital. The Israeli Civil Administration made a significant financial contribution that went toward finding a bone marrow donor for Lagine, as well as her surgery, post-operation treatment and medication.
“We differentiate very clearly between a nonviolent demonstration, which is a legitimate form of protest, and a violent riot that involves the throwing of rocks and metal objects, physical harm and damage to the security fence, ” said Brigadier General Nitzan Alon, Judea and Samaria Division commander. Over the weekend, Palestinians throughout Judea and Samaria held demonstrations, as well as illegal, violent riots.
Pledges of nonviolence go unnoticed
Over the weekend, at least 200 Palestinians demonstrated near the Qalandiya crossing (north of Jerusalem). No arrests were made. Shortly after, a mob of rioters gathered in an attempt to provoke soldiers into a violent confrontation; rioters hurled firebombs, bottles and rocks at Israeli security forces, who responded with non-lethal riot-dispersal means. The riot left an IDF soldier lightly injured. Captain Barak Raz, Judea and Samaria spokesman, tweeted live from the riot.
Captain Barak Raz, Judea and Samaria spokesman, live tweeted from the riot.
Approximately 70 Palestinians rioted south of Bethlehem, hurling stones at security forces, who responded with non-lethal riot dispersal means.
Near the Palestinian village of Nabi Saleh, at least 150 Palestinians participated in a riot, throwing stones, burning tires and positioning road blocks.
These are not sit-ins with people singing "We Shall Overcome." These are violent, illegal, dangerous riots. Photo of the Nabi Saleh riot on Sept 16, 2011.
Twenty-five Palestinians at Bil’in and 40 at Ni’lin rioted near their Palestinian villages, hurling rocks Israeli security forces.
Following extensive riot-dispersal training, Israeli security forces in Judea and Samaria were supplied this weekend with non-lethal riot dispersal means and instructed to show restraint in facing protesters.
On Friday, Palestinians hurled stones at and damaged an Israeli passenger bus traveling north of Kiryat Arba (north of Hebron). Stones were also hurled at an Israeli vehicle traveling near Al-Arub.
In the last two years, more than 200 Israeli soldiers were injured by violent rioters throughout Judea and Samaria.
“The United States is completely and unwaveringly committed to Israel’s security. We’re going to continue working with Israel to develop all necessary defenses and to make sure that Israel can defend itself from all threats in the area,” said Daniel Shapiro, the US ambassador to Israel, at today’s working visit to the Palmachim airbase.
"I enjoyed witnessing the results of a very impressive cooperation," said US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro.
