Gentilissimo signor Ministro,
anche se in questi giorni la situazione diplomatica sta diventando piuttosto pesante per l'Italia, volevo chiederLe se può esprimere un messaggio di condanna, come già fatto da Stati Uniti d'America e Francia, per l'incessante lancio di missili che i terroristi residenti nella Striscia di Gaza, stanno compiendo contro le città del sud di Israele. Sto seguendo con molta attenzione la vicenda ed aggiornando costantemente il mio blog (che ha visto più di mille contatti negli ultimi due giorni di cui il 50% dagli Stati Uniti e un buon 10% dalla Federazione Russa) http://israelianintelligence.blogspot.com, e ritengo che l'Italia non possa mantenere silente su quanto sta accadendo. Specialmente perché questi personaggi del terrorismo palestinese, non fanno altro che rovinare il lavoro di pace incessante in cui l'Italia ha avuto un importante ruolo di mediazione, e rendere sempre più difficili le condizioni di vita sia dei cittadini israeliani sia di quelli palestinesi.
Credo che la comunità degli amici di Israele in Italia si attenda questo suo gesto che non farà altro che rafforzare la nostra amicizia.
La saluto cordialmente,
Ettore Lomaglio Silvestri
A questa petizione è già giunta l'adesione dell'on. Enzo Raisi.
Showing posts with label al-aqsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label al-aqsa. Show all posts
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
IDF: Iran encouraging Palestinians to continue attack
IDF: Iran encouraging Palestinians to continue attack
ran is encouraging the Islamic Jihad terrorist group in Gaza to continue firing rockets against Israel, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai said on Sunday.
According to Mordechai, since the beginning of the violence on Friday, 150 rockets have been fired by Palestinian terror groups, although 40 landed inside Gaza and another 37 were intercepted by the Iron Dome counter-rocket defense system. “Iran finances Islamic Jihad and supports it with weaponry,” Mordechai told reporters. “In these days, the Iranians are supporting them and actively encouraging them to continue.”
Mordechai said that while Hamas was not actively firing rockets into Israel, it is viewed as the ruling authority in Gaza and is therefore held responsible by Israel for terrorist attacks that originate inside the territory. Read more.
Summary of Overnight Events
Summary of Overnight Events
Overnight, IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad that was in the final stages of preparing to fire rockets at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip.
In addition, a short while ago, IAF aircraft targeted two rocket launching sites, in the northern Gaza Strip, used by terror organizations to fire medium-range rockets into Israel (over 40 kilometers).
Direct hits were identified.
The IDF is prepared to defend the residents of Israel and will respond with strength and determination against any attempt to execute terrorist attacks. Hamas uses other terror organizations to carry out terror attacks against the State of Israel and will bear the consequences of these actions in any future operation embarked upon by the IDF in order to eliminate the terror threat and restore the relative calm to the area.
For real time information follow @idfspokesperson on Twitter, or subscribe to the IDF Facebook page.
All new information can be found in the updating post: Israel Under Fire: More Than 130 Rockets Fired From Gaza at Israel
Thank you, Iron Dome
Thank you, Iron Dome
Op-ed: Without innovative anti-rocket system, IDF would be operating inside Gaza by now
The current escalation in the Gaza region was planned in advance. The IDF in fact set up an “ambush,” while the Southern Command prepared thoroughly days ahead of the current flare-up.
The Air Force deployed in advance the three Iron Dome batteries and covered the Gaza Strip skies with a reinforced presence of aircraft. The results are commensurate with these preparations: With the exception of several wounded civilians caught up in the fire while playing basketball, there have been no casualties thus far.
Moreover, all the rockets that were supposed to land in populated areas were intercepted. This impressive military balance sheet grants the political leadership flexibility and the ability to take decisions free from domestic and international pressure.
Indeed, the orders to the army are as follows: Should the rocket fire continue beyond the point Israel earmarked, the IDF will be given the green light to expand its activities against the Strip, including ground operations. This red line will be affected by the number of casualties and the stamina of a million and a half Israeli citizens in southern Israel whose daily lives are paralyzed.
Meanwhile, a lesson drawn from past experience prompted a change in the utilization of Iron Dome, with the new tactics resulting in an impressive outcome in intercepting barrages of five to six rockets.
Now, Israel is presenting Hamas’ government with a leadership dilemma: In an era where Hamas wishes to portray itself as a pragmatic political party in the eyes of the world, will it have the power and desire to restrain Islamic Jihad fire that also threatens Hamas’ own hegemony in the Strip?
In Israel’s view, Hamas’ responsibility for events is not only ministerial. The Shin Bet has identified the group’s duplicity a while ago. Hamas’ military wing never stopped its terror activity but is hiding behind the attacks of “subsidiaries” bearing different names.
Israeli officials decided not to make it easy on Hamas given the above the dilemma and keep pressing until the fire abates. The current round of fighting is a blatant Israeli signal: There is no immunity, even in Gaza, to Palestinian terror activity undertaken via the Sinai Peninsula. Indeed, Sinai is a major terror front, and Israel will not tolerate a situation whereby Gaza serves as a base for Sinai attacks.
And on a final note, something about Iron dome. This system has become a political-diplomatic tool, just like any other national defense system such as the fences on the Egyptian and Lebanese borders. At this time, our political leadership can order counter-terror operations in the Strip and sustain fire until taking a decision thanks to Iron Dome’s interception capabilities.
Hence, the
system must not be undermined in the framework of the current budgetary battles.
At this time, Israel possesses three batteries that are deployed, for the time
being, in Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba. A fourth battery needed to protect
Gaza-region residents will only be received in July of this year.
Overall, Israel needs at least nine batteries. The fifth one will be received at the beginning of 2013 and a sixth one in the middle of 2013. This will exhaust the currently available budget. Yet those who curbed the flow of funds must realize that had it not been for Iron Dome, the IDF would be inside the Gaza Strip by now, with dozens of casualties on both sides.
Op-ed: Without innovative anti-rocket system, IDF would be operating inside Gaza by now
Alex Fishman
|
The current escalation in the Gaza region was planned in advance. The IDF in fact set up an “ambush,” while the Southern Command prepared thoroughly days ahead of the current flare-up.
The Air Force deployed in advance the three Iron Dome batteries and covered the Gaza Strip skies with a reinforced presence of aircraft. The results are commensurate with these preparations: With the exception of several wounded civilians caught up in the fire while playing basketball, there have been no casualties thus far.
Moreover, all the rockets that were supposed to land in populated areas were intercepted. This impressive military balance sheet grants the political leadership flexibility and the ability to take decisions free from domestic and international pressure.
Indeed, the orders to the army are as follows: Should the rocket fire continue beyond the point Israel earmarked, the IDF will be given the green light to expand its activities against the Strip, including ground operations. This red line will be affected by the number of casualties and the stamina of a million and a half Israeli citizens in southern Israel whose daily lives are paralyzed.
Meanwhile, a lesson drawn from past experience prompted a change in the utilization of Iron Dome, with the new tactics resulting in an impressive outcome in intercepting barrages of five to six rockets.
Now, Israel is presenting Hamas’ government with a leadership dilemma: In an era where Hamas wishes to portray itself as a pragmatic political party in the eyes of the world, will it have the power and desire to restrain Islamic Jihad fire that also threatens Hamas’ own hegemony in the Strip?
Blatant Israeli message
In Israel’s view, Hamas’ responsibility for events is not only ministerial. The Shin Bet has identified the group’s duplicity a while ago. Hamas’ military wing never stopped its terror activity but is hiding behind the attacks of “subsidiaries” bearing different names.
Israeli officials decided not to make it easy on Hamas given the above the dilemma and keep pressing until the fire abates. The current round of fighting is a blatant Israeli signal: There is no immunity, even in Gaza, to Palestinian terror activity undertaken via the Sinai Peninsula. Indeed, Sinai is a major terror front, and Israel will not tolerate a situation whereby Gaza serves as a base for Sinai attacks.
And on a final note, something about Iron dome. This system has become a political-diplomatic tool, just like any other national defense system such as the fences on the Egyptian and Lebanese borders. At this time, our political leadership can order counter-terror operations in the Strip and sustain fire until taking a decision thanks to Iron Dome’s interception capabilities.
Overall, Israel needs at least nine batteries. The fifth one will be received at the beginning of 2013 and a sixth one in the middle of 2013. This will exhaust the currently available budget. Yet those who curbed the flow of funds must realize that had it not been for Iron Dome, the IDF would be inside the Gaza Strip by now, with dozens of casualties on both sides.
Iron Dome intercepts Gaza rockets over Ashdod, as escalation continues for third day
Iron Dome intercepts Gaza rockets over Ashdod, as escalation continues for third day
IDF conducts three strikes in Gaza overnight and Sunday morning, killing two Palestinians; Iron Dome has intercepted more than 30 rockets since Friday.
By Gili Cohen , Yanir Yagna, Avi Issacharoff, Barak Ravid and ReutersTags: GazaGaza rocketsIDFHamasIslamic Jihad
Ten rockets fired from the Gaza Strip were intercepted by the Iron Dome system in the Ashdod area on Sunday morning, as the escalation in Israel's south continued for a third day.
Overnight and on Sunday morning, the IDF conducted three strikes in Gaza, in which two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed.
 | Iron Dome anti-rocket battery in action, March 11, 2012. |
| Photo by: AP |
A weapons manufacturing site and a rocket launching squad were among the targets of the IDF strikes.
More than 110 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since Friday. More than 30 rockets have been shot down by the Iron Dome, which is designed to only intercept rockets identified as heading toward populated areas.
On Sunday morning, a rocket exploded in open territory in the Ramat Eshkol Regional Council, causing no injuries or damage.
Schools was called off in Sunday in Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod and other regional councils in Israel's south, affecting more than 200,000 students.
So far, 17 Palestinians, 16 of them militants, have been killed in the latest round of Israel-Gaza border violence that began on Friday.
A Thai worker in an Israeli community near the Gaza border was seriously wounded in a rocket attack on Friday.
The rocket salvos from Gaza began on Friday after the Israel Air Force launched a strike in Gaza that killed the leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhir al-Qaisi, who was believed to be planning a large terror attack on Israel's southern border.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with regional council heads in Israel's south and said Israel will continue to strike whoever plans attacks on Israeli citizens.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
What is the Popular Resistance Committee?
What Is The Popular Resistance Committee?
You may have heard about the Popular Resistance Committee and wondered what is was, or how it relates to what’s going on in Gaza and Israel. Here’s a recap:
On Friday, March 9th 2012, IAF forces targeted a PRC squad who had been planning a combined terror attack meant to take place via Sinai in the coming days. This sparked a barrage of rocket fire towards the towns in southern Israel, injuring four and causing damage to property.
Zahir Kaisi, the senior PRC operative targeted this Friday. Source: http://www.raya.fm/
So who are the PRC?
The Popular Resistance Committee was founded in September 2000, and since has categorically refused any form of reconciliation with Israel. The PRC acts as a sub-contractor for Iranian elements in Lebanon and within the Hezbollah, carrying out terror attacks against Israelis in return for funds.
The PRC are funded and supported directly by Hamas, the terror organization controlling Gaza. By allowing the PRC to operate as an ostensibly independent proxy, Hamas is able to carry out terror attacks against Israelis while maintaining an official stance of “restraint”. In addition to monthly funding, Hamas also provides the PRC with weapons and battle training.
Emblem of the Popular Resistance Committee
List of Terror Attacks Against Israel
- June 21, 2009: An IDF force on routine patrol identified four IEDs placed along the border fence near Kissufim (central Gaza Strip). As the IEDs were being disarmed operatives fired two mortar shells and live fire at the force.
- July 5, 2009: Three mortar shells were fired at an IDF patrol near the Sufa Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip.
- July 23, 2009: A group of Israelis working near the Sufa crossing came under fire. After the incident, fire was opened at an IDF force that was patrolling the area.
- January 1, 2010: Four mortar shells were fired at the village of Kerem Shalom and a rocket was fired at Kissufim.
- March 1, 2010: An anti-tank rocket was fired at an IDF force conducting a sweep near the security fence in the Beit Lahiya region (northern Gaza Strip).
- May 21, 2010: During a routine IDF patrol near the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip, an IDF tracker was shot and seriously wounded by sniper fire.
- July 30, 2010: A 122-mm Grad rocket landed in the city of Ashkelon. A local civilian was treated for shock. It was the first standard rocket fired in over a year and a half.
- August 18, 2011: Egged Bus #392, en route to the popular resort destination of Eilat, was ambushed by PRC terrorists, who opened fire on the bus’s passengers, injuring fourteen.
- Almost simultaneously, a bomb tore through another civilian bus, killing the driver. Sisters Flora Gaz and Shula Karlinsky and their husbands were on their way home from Eilat when they were murdered by PRC terrorists who ambushed them and fired an anti-tank missile at their car.
- PRC terrorists then shot and killed Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali and Chief Warrant Officer Paskal Abrahami.
Bus No. #393 was shot en route to Eilat.
Barak: Gaza operation far from over
Barak: Gaza operation far from over
Last updated: 03/10/2012 19:13
Military operations in Gaza, a response to over 100 rockets fired at Israel since Friday, are from from over, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday.
"This round in the Strip is still far from completion," Barak said, adding that the operations would probably continue for another day or two. Barak praised the military for what he called precise, complicated strikes against Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) infrastructure.
Barak also said that the IDF will remain alert for a possible terror attack coming from Sinai.
"This round in the Strip is still far from completion," Barak said, adding that the operations would probably continue for another day or two. Barak praised the military for what he called precise, complicated strikes against Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) infrastructure.
Barak also said that the IDF will remain alert for a possible terror attack coming from Sinai.
When the palestinian terrorists will end to rocket the peace road
Beersheba, Ashdod under attack as fighting continues
135 rockets fired out of Gaza over weekend; about 30 rockets intercepted by Iron Dome; following IAF strikes, Gaza death toll rises to 15
March 10, 2012, 7:55 pm7
Palestinians gather around the wreckage of Zuhair al-Qaissi's car, targeted in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, Friday, March 9, 2012. (photo credit: AP photo/Hatem Moussa)
The southern Israeli cities of Ashdod and Beersheba fell under a barrage of rockets Saturday evening as the second day of violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip – the worst in a year – continued.
Alarms and explosions were heard in Ashdod and Beersheba early Saturday evening, resulting in a decision by both cities’ municipalities to keep schools closed on Sunday. As of Saturday night, schools were to remain closed in Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Netivot, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim, Beer Tuvia, Yavne and Gedera.
Earlier on Saturday, 15 terrorists were killed in the Gaza Strip in IAF strikes. Throughout the day, terrorists responded by firing 135 rockets into Israeli territory, 74 of which hit Israel – an average of three rockets per hour over a timespan of thirty hours, according to the IDF Spokesperson. One Israeli civilian was seriously wounded as a result.
In Israel’s southern border areas, residents were told to stay home and refrain from holding large outdoor events on Saturday. Meanwhile, a hotline (1-800-363-363) was opened to support those suffering from trauma.
Throughout Saturday, the low whooshing noise of terrorists firing rockets from border areas toward Israel was palpably heard inside Gaza City. Israeli drones hovered in the skies above. Tens of thousands of Palestinian mourners marched through the streets in funeral processions. They carried slain terrorists in coffins, their bodies too torn up to be wrapped in cloth, as Muslim tradition dictates. Masked terrorists sprayed machine gun fire above the mourners’ heads in angry grief.
“Revenge, revenge!” chanted the crowds.
According to the IDF Spokesman, the IAF targeted two terrorist activity sites in the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon, hitting both directly.
The Iron Dome missile defense system made about 30 successful interceptions of rockets aimed toward population centers in the South, said a statement from the IDF Spokesman’s Office.
A Home Front Command official instructed Israelis to enter shelters or “safety areas” if they hear an alarm or explosion.
In response to the barrage from Gaza, the Israeli Air Force fired at two men on a motorcycle near Khan Younis in southern Gaza Saturday morning, according to Palestinian sources. One of the men died instantly, and the second died in a hospital soon afterward from his injuries.
The IDF Spokesman said the two were members of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and that they were en route to a rocket launching site.
In addition, military officials reported Saturday that Israeli air strikes took out six terrorist cells in Gaza late Friday and early Saturday morning as they were preparing to launch rockets.
These latest IAF strikes bring the Palestinian death toll to 14, ten of whom were members of the terrorist organization Islamic Jihad. The other four killed were members of the PRC.
The air strikes came after an evening of rocket and mortar fire from the Strip which injured eight people, one of them seriously and another moderately.
Several Israelis were also treated for shock and anxiety.
Terrorist groups in Gaza claim the rockets were fired in retaliation to Israel killing Zuhair al-Qaissi, the commander of the armed wing of PRC, and two other PRC members, in an attack on Qaissi’s car in Gaza City, Friday afternoon.
An Israeli F-15 (photo credit: Ofer Zidon/Flash90)
Also on Friday, three members of Islamic Jihad were reported killed in a separate Israeli air strike on Gaza. Islamic Jihad and PRC declared an end to the relative calm of recent months, and launched rockets at residential areas in the South. Israeli military sources said they were braced for a possible further escalation in the coming days.
Army Radio reported that the Iron Dome missile defense system shot down multiple rockets fired towards Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon. One rocket caused damage to a building on the outskirts of Beersheba.
Military sources called the Iron Dome deployment a success, since those rockets that were not intercepted caused no major damage and most landed in open areas, outside of the population centers in the southern part of the country.
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz held a special meeting Saturday morning with top officials in order to assess the situation in the South, Ynet News reported.
Gantz promised to respond forcefully to any further attacks, which he and other military officials expected will be forthcoming.
Israelis were cautioned on Saturday to stay away from gatherings of over 500 people. The warning came as thousands of Israelis planned to head out into the streets and celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.
Beersheba mayor Ruvik Danilovich told Ynet News, “This escalation cannot be ignored.” He added that he gives full backing to targeted assassinations of terrorist leaders.
“Even if they cause a tense security situation, [targeted strikes by the IDF] will have a deterring effect in the long run,” Danilovich said.
Israelis officials said Hamas was using other groups to carry out attacks in its place and warned that Gaza’s rulers “will bear the consequences of these actions” if an escalation took place.
“The IDF does not seek an escalation in the region. However, the IDF is prepared to defend the residents of Israel and will respond with strength and determination against any attempt to execute terrorist attacks,” read an IDF statement issued after the midnight attack.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum blamed Israel for sparking a new escalation.
“The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain,” he said.
Ynet news reported that Egypt’s ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Yasser Ottoman condemned what he called “Israeli aggression towards the Palestinian factions.” He said his country opposed Israel’s violation of the ceasefire.
IDF: We're prepared
IDF: We're prepared for what's
coming
Iron Dome system Commander says troops making tremendous effort to achieve successful results; 'We have capability to keep going,' he says
Lieutenant Colonel Gilad Biran, the commander of the Iron Dome missile defense system told Ynet on Saturday that the troops operating the defense system have been working hard over the weekend to make sure that rockets are intercepted.
"We are making a tremendous effort to achieve results. We are ready for what's coming," he said.
Related stories:
The missile defense system has intercepted 27 out of the 30 rockets launched at Israel's southern cities. "We have the capability to keep going if the situation persists," Biran added.
However, Air Force officials stressed that the Iron Dome does not provide complete protection, and that citizens are urged to follow the safety instructions issued by the Home Front Command.
Iron Dome bttery in Beersheba (Photo: Herzl Yosef)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IAF Chief Major General Ido Nehushtan visited the troops operating the Iron Dome missile defense system, and told them: "We are acting defensively and offensive, and are making efforts to do it to the best of our abilities."
Barak said: "We are currently showing a 90% rate of successful interception – 27 out of 30 rockets. The Iron Dome does not only protect civilians, but also gives the political and military echelons more flexibility in responding to threats.
"We won't let anyone harm our civilians. Those who try to launch a rocket or plan an attack will pay a heavy price, and no one will be granted immunity," said Barak.
Iron Dome system Commander says troops making tremendous effort to achieve successful results; 'We have capability to keep going,' he says
Yoav Zitun
|
Lieutenant Colonel Gilad Biran, the commander of the Iron Dome missile defense system told Ynet on Saturday that the troops operating the defense system have been working hard over the weekend to make sure that rockets are intercepted.
"We are making a tremendous effort to achieve results. We are ready for what's coming," he said.
Related stories:
- Home Front Command issues safety guidelines
- Some 100 rockets hit Israel since Friday
- IAF kills 3 more militants
The missile defense system has intercepted 27 out of the 30 rockets launched at Israel's southern cities. "We have the capability to keep going if the situation persists," Biran added.
| IAF strike in Gaza (Video: Reuters) |
However, Air Force officials stressed that the Iron Dome does not provide complete protection, and that citizens are urged to follow the safety instructions issued by the Home Front Command.
Iron Dome bttery in Beersheba (Photo: Herzl Yosef)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IAF Chief Major General Ido Nehushtan visited the troops operating the Iron Dome missile defense system, and told them: "We are acting defensively and offensive, and are making efforts to do it to the best of our abilities."
Barak said: "We are currently showing a 90% rate of successful interception – 27 out of 30 rockets. The Iron Dome does not only protect civilians, but also gives the political and military echelons more flexibility in responding to threats.
"We won't let anyone harm our civilians. Those who try to launch a rocket or plan an attack will pay a heavy price, and no one will be granted immunity," said Barak.
IDF will hit anyone planning to attack Israel
'IDF will hit anyone planning to attack Israel'
By Ariel Harmoni/Defense Ministry
03/10/2012 17:17
By Ariel Harmoni/Defense Ministry
Israel will hit any group planning to attack Israelis citizens, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday, as a barrage of rockets from Gaza continued falling on Israel.
Barak offered reassurances to the heads of local authorities in the Southern region, telling them, "The IDF will hit anyone planning to attack Israeli citizens."
"We will continue improving the capabilities of Iron Dome, which intercepted a very high percentage of the grad missiles fired at Israel since last night," he added.
Senior IDF officials that met regarding the ongoing escalation in southern Israel said on Saturday that the IDF will respond forcefully to any rocket attack against Israeli civilians.
The officials also noted the successes of the Iron Dome system, which has intercepted 25 rockets since the beginning of the escalation on Friday evening.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz called the meeting Saturday morning. A number of senior IDF officials were in attendance, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh, OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen Tal Russo, and representatives from the Israel Air Force, the Spokesperson's Office, and the Home Front Command.
Palestinians have fired 92 rockets into Israel after an IAF strike on Friday killed the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi.
Political officials also commented on the attacks. Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said that Hamas is trying to avoid an escalation in the Gaza Strip. "Hamas is doing all in its power to avoid a Cast Lead 2, and is trying to rein in its extremist elements."
Speaking in Beersheba, Vilnai added that the situation in the south will become more clear in the near future. "We will know in which direction this escalation is headed by the evening," he said. "At this point it is up to the other side."
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) said that Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) secretary general Zuhair Qaisi should have been assassinated a long time ago. "Yesterday Israel's long arm reached him, and that is a good thing," he said.
"Whoever participates in terrorism should expect a similar fate. It is Israel's responsibility to protect its southern citizens. We must not allow ourselves to grow complacent with a situation in which a million citizens are held hostage in shelters."
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon (Israel Beiteinu) said that no terrorist is immune from Israeli strikes in Gaza. "All terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip, including those of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees, are potential targets," he said.
Ayalon added that "Israel's southern residents will not stay at the mercy of Hamas - the government of Israel will not accept this situation. Terrorist infrastructure will be destroyed and terrorist leaders will be hit."
MK Danny Danon (Likud) said that "we should view a rocket that falls in Sderot the same as a rocket that falls on the Kirya in Tel Aviv, and we should respond in kind."
Danon commended the strike on PRC leader Qaisi, saying that it should be an "example to any and all who take part in terrorist activities in the Gaza Strip- Israel will get you too."
Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich called on citizens to "continue acting according to instructions issued by the IDF Southern Command."
He added that "even though the Iron Dome is doing good and important work, it does not have a 100% success rate. Citizens should continue to take shelter in protected areas."
Barak offered reassurances to the heads of local authorities in the Southern region, telling them, "The IDF will hit anyone planning to attack Israeli citizens."
"We will continue improving the capabilities of Iron Dome, which intercepted a very high percentage of the grad missiles fired at Israel since last night," he added.
Senior IDF officials that met regarding the ongoing escalation in southern Israel said on Saturday that the IDF will respond forcefully to any rocket attack against Israeli civilians.
The officials also noted the successes of the Iron Dome system, which has intercepted 25 rockets since the beginning of the escalation on Friday evening.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz called the meeting Saturday morning. A number of senior IDF officials were in attendance, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh, OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen Tal Russo, and representatives from the Israel Air Force, the Spokesperson's Office, and the Home Front Command.
Palestinians have fired 92 rockets into Israel after an IAF strike on Friday killed the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi.
Political officials also commented on the attacks. Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said that Hamas is trying to avoid an escalation in the Gaza Strip. "Hamas is doing all in its power to avoid a Cast Lead 2, and is trying to rein in its extremist elements."
Speaking in Beersheba, Vilnai added that the situation in the south will become more clear in the near future. "We will know in which direction this escalation is headed by the evening," he said. "At this point it is up to the other side."
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) said that Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) secretary general Zuhair Qaisi should have been assassinated a long time ago. "Yesterday Israel's long arm reached him, and that is a good thing," he said.
"Whoever participates in terrorism should expect a similar fate. It is Israel's responsibility to protect its southern citizens. We must not allow ourselves to grow complacent with a situation in which a million citizens are held hostage in shelters."
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon (Israel Beiteinu) said that no terrorist is immune from Israeli strikes in Gaza. "All terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip, including those of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees, are potential targets," he said.
Ayalon added that "Israel's southern residents will not stay at the mercy of Hamas - the government of Israel will not accept this situation. Terrorist infrastructure will be destroyed and terrorist leaders will be hit."
MK Danny Danon (Likud) said that "we should view a rocket that falls in Sderot the same as a rocket that falls on the Kirya in Tel Aviv, and we should respond in kind."
Danon commended the strike on PRC leader Qaisi, saying that it should be an "example to any and all who take part in terrorist activities in the Gaza Strip- Israel will get you too."
Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich called on citizens to "continue acting according to instructions issued by the IDF Southern Command."
He added that "even though the Iron Dome is doing good and important work, it does not have a 100% success rate. Citizens should continue to take shelter in protected areas."
And the escalation continues
Palestinians fire 92 rockets at southern Israel
By IDF Spokesman's Office
03/10/2012 09:44
By IDF Spokesman's Office
Palestinian terrorists fired 92 rockets from Gaza into southern Israel since Friday night, leaving eight Israelis injured in the heaviest series of attacks in months. The barrages came in response to an IAF strike which killed the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees, Zuhair Qaisi.
The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted at least five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon early Saturday morning. In total, 25 rockets have been intercepted by the system since the beginning of the escalation on Friday.
A Palestinian rocket fired from Gaza landed in Beersheba early Saturday morning, activating air raid sirens and sending residents fleeing for cover. Police said that the rocket caused damage to a building. No injuries were reported in that attack.
In the Be'er Tuvia area, police located a rocket explosion site. The windows of a home were shattered and a car was damaged. No injuries were reported.
In the Eshkol Regional Council area, a 40-year-old man was seriously injured in the attacks. A second man was moderately injured by shrapnel to his stomach and a third was lightly injured. Paramedics said the injured appeared to be foreign workers. An electric pole and a vehicle were also damaged in the attack.
Two additional people were lightly injured in a car accident that occurred during an air raid siren at the Emunim Junction between Ashdod and Ashkelon. Three other people in the South were lightly injured while fleeing for cover during sirens, and one civilian was being treated for shock.
The injured were taken to the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot and the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, as well as the Soroka Medical Center in Be'ersheba.
The IAF struck targets in Gaza overnight Friday and Saturday morning in response to the rocket attacks. 14 Palestinians - 10 of them members of Islamic Jihad - were killed in the strikes and another 20 were injured, according to Palestinian news agency Ma'an.
The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) swiftly called for retaliation following the first IAF strike that killed Qaisi, as well as senior PRC member Ahmad Hanini. A third man was also injured in the attack. The IAF struck a vehicle in a move to thwart a large-scale terror attack that was in its last stages of preparation, according to the IDF spokesperson.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israel was responsible for what he called "a grave escalation."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also condemned the strike.
The IDF stated that the attack was part of an operation to thwart the intentions of terrorists to carry out terror attacks in Sinai, along the border between Israel and Egypt. Qaisi had been planning and leading over the past few days, a major terror attack against Israeli targets, and the strike was conducted in order to prevent the attack, the IDF said in a statement.
It added that the IDF was not interested in escalation but was ready to defend Israel and would respond forcefully and decisively against against any attempt at terrorist activity.
Reuters contributed to this report
The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted at least five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashkelon early Saturday morning. In total, 25 rockets have been intercepted by the system since the beginning of the escalation on Friday.
A Palestinian rocket fired from Gaza landed in Beersheba early Saturday morning, activating air raid sirens and sending residents fleeing for cover. Police said that the rocket caused damage to a building. No injuries were reported in that attack.
In the Be'er Tuvia area, police located a rocket explosion site. The windows of a home were shattered and a car was damaged. No injuries were reported.
In the Eshkol Regional Council area, a 40-year-old man was seriously injured in the attacks. A second man was moderately injured by shrapnel to his stomach and a third was lightly injured. Paramedics said the injured appeared to be foreign workers. An electric pole and a vehicle were also damaged in the attack.
Two additional people were lightly injured in a car accident that occurred during an air raid siren at the Emunim Junction between Ashdod and Ashkelon. Three other people in the South were lightly injured while fleeing for cover during sirens, and one civilian was being treated for shock.
The injured were taken to the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot and the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, as well as the Soroka Medical Center in Be'ersheba.
The IAF struck targets in Gaza overnight Friday and Saturday morning in response to the rocket attacks. 14 Palestinians - 10 of them members of Islamic Jihad - were killed in the strikes and another 20 were injured, according to Palestinian news agency Ma'an.
The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) swiftly called for retaliation following the first IAF strike that killed Qaisi, as well as senior PRC member Ahmad Hanini. A third man was also injured in the attack. The IAF struck a vehicle in a move to thwart a large-scale terror attack that was in its last stages of preparation, according to the IDF spokesperson.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israel was responsible for what he called "a grave escalation."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also condemned the strike.
The IDF stated that the attack was part of an operation to thwart the intentions of terrorists to carry out terror attacks in Sinai, along the border between Israel and Egypt. Qaisi had been planning and leading over the past few days, a major terror attack against Israeli targets, and the strike was conducted in order to prevent the attack, the IDF said in a statement.
It added that the IDF was not interested in escalation but was ready to defend Israel and would respond forcefully and decisively against against any attempt at terrorist activity.
Reuters contributed to this report
Sunday, March 4, 2012
From the Hebrew press
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Yediot Aharonot comments on the situation in Syria. The author says: "As it seems now, the moment of truth will arrive only in the form of a political solution, i.e. only when the President and his cohorts conclude that it is dangerous to remain in Syria and agree to accept political asylum without being tried," and notes that Bashar Assad has already spurned several such offers. Ma'ariv refers to 'Israeli Apartheid Week' that was recently held on college campuses around the world and contends that "The international apartheid week was not only mendacious but it enabled those who have genuine contempt for human rights to continue with their actions." The author asserts that "When it comes to Israel, the rules are flexible. Thus, educating children to grow up and blow themselves up in public places is not a crime against humanity; neither is using them as human shields. Firing rockets at civilian cities? Also not. Denying the Holocaust or denying the right of Israel and its residents to exist? We can disagree on that too. What can I say to you, opponents of apartheid, wherever you are – if this is not racism, then I don't know what is." Yisrael Hayom says that both the Israeli and American leaderships "have stated unequivocally that a nuclear Iran is unacceptable," and believes "The argument is over where to draw the red line." The author suggests that some of the tension between Jerusalem and Washington stems from the fact that, in light of the two nations' respective capabilities, a purely Israeli attack would have to come much sooner than an American one, given the pace at which Iran is hardening and fortifying its nuclear facilities. The paper asserts that if either ally accepts the other's red line, it will have given up its ability to decide independently when to launch an attack and adds: "This, in a nutshell, is the heart of the controversy." The author speculates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would agree to the White House's desire to give diplomacy one more chance as long as the Prime Minister believes that there is substance to an American threat to use force if talks fail. Haaretz discusses the inflammatory remarks made by former minister Shlomo Benizri upon his early release from prison last week, and points out that contrary to his statements to the parole board only a few months ago, Benizri now denies all offenses attributed to him. The editor believes that Benizri’s current claim that he was framed “shines a dubious light on one of the most important conditions for shortening a prisoner's term: that the prisoner realizes the criminal nature of his act.” The Jerusalem Post criticizes the Histadrut trade union organization for the intense spate of recent strikes it declared and the plethora of new disputes it intends to implement in the near future, and points out that the most immediate victims of the strikes are the workers laid off as a result of cancelled orders. The editor declares that “Legislation limiting the ability to shut down essential services without warning and without polling all union members is a must," and calls for union leaders to be made personally accountable “for the harm they recklessly wreak.” [Semadar Peri, Lilach Sigan and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.] | ||||||||||||||||
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Dal sito dell'IDF: la struttura di Hamas
Power of One: The Structure of Hamas
“We cannot separate the wing from the body. If we do so, the body will not be able to fly.”—Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (Reuters, May 27, 1998)
The political and military wings are the two most prominent wings in Hamas. They operate as one terrorist entity–without the capabilities from the political side, there will be no motivation on the military end and vice versa. We are going to break down the wings one by one, in the interests of keeping things simple.
The political wing is lead by Khaled Meshaal in Damascus, Syria. Under his guidance:
- The Hamas leadership in Gaza,
- The District Leadership in Judea and Samaria
- Hamas delegations abroad, such as the one in Iran
The military wing’s leader is Ahmed al-Jabari. Their Arabic name is Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, and they’re based in the Gaza Strip. Al-Jabari’s wing is subordinate to the Hamas leadership in Gaza, led by Ismail Haniyeh, which is under direct supervision of Meshaal, the leader of the political wing.
In Damascus, Meshaal makes all of the decisions, whether it be administrative, political, social. He’s also responsible for gathering the money and weapons for his military wing in Gaza. Ismail Haniyeh is the middleman in the supply chain who takes funds and weapons emerging from Syria to the military wing in the Gaza Strip.
Ahmed al-Jabari is highly dependent on Haniyeh for his close relationship with the political bureau in Damascus. Thanks to this supply chain, al-Jabari is capable of keeping his military wing fully stocked in order to maintain their terror fight against Israel.
Khaled Meshaal (bottom left) and Ahmed al-Jabari (bottom right). The political and military wing leaders together.
The brigades has made it clear that their main goal is to throw the “Zionists” into the Mediterranean Sea. Many examples support this ideology, such as the suicide explosion at a restaurant in Haifa in which 20 Israeli civilians in 2003, and a Palestinian suicide bomber detonating himself at the Park Hotel in Netanya in 2002, killing 20 bystanders. Also, current statistics show that in 2011, 627 rockets were fired at Israel, and since the start of 2012, 56 rockets were fired at Israel.
Al-Jabari’s vicious military wing has not only targeted innocent Israeli civilians, but also Israeli soldiers such as Gilad Shalit. Shalit was captured in 2006 after Hamas terrorists infiltrated the border through a smuggling tunnel, and was held in Hamas captivity for over 5 years until his release in 2011. Ezzedeen al-Qassam continues to collaborate with its vital political wing in order to finance its terrorist acts that have killed more than 1,365 Israeli citizens since Hamas’ founding.
Without the Hamas leadership in Gaza, the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades would not function. Ismail Haniyeh has made sure that the right amount of funds, weapons, and propaganda are injected into the military wing.
Ahmed al-Jabari (far right) stands with Mahmoud al-Zahar (middle)
Al-Aqsa TV, Hamas’ television station, has done an excellent job in buying the hearts and minds of the Palestinian population in Gaza. It has played a major role in maintaining the popularity of the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades by airing shows targeted at its youth, urging them to join the violent resistance against Israel.
Haniyeh’s administration focuses on keeping the TV station funded and operating, just as it focuses on keeping Ezzedeen al-Qassam active. This is very important since both the military wing and Al-Aqsa cannot function without the other absent.
So, to sum up: Hamas is really just one body. Its propaganda, military and political machine have to operate on the same wavelength at all times. If any of its components malfunction then Hamas will “not be able to fly”.
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