For the Hebrew-challenged, Israel Radio's Gal Berger reports that Hamas says that it has started (today) to construct a new dirt road opposite the security fence in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to the one it started two weeks ago near Nahal Oz. Nahal Oz is in the northern part of the Strip, not quite at top right.
Here's a Gaza map so you can see where we're talking about:
And what do they think they will do with that road?
Note from the pictures that the people building the road are armed and uniformed. It will be interesting to see how long the IDF lets this go on.
By the way, the map is old. They are currently no live IDF soldiers in Gaza.
Egyptian President Abdel Fateh al-Sisi has finally had it with Hamas attacks on his territory. So he's doing what all good neighbors do: He's building a fence.
In the wake of Friday’s attack in northern Sinai, which killed 33
Egyptian soldiers, Cairo has raised the idea of a building an eight-mile
barrier along its border with Gaza to deter Islamist terrorists from
moving in and out of the Palestinian territory.
“There is a big conspiracy against us,” Egyptian President Abdel
Fatah al-Sisi said in a live, televised address Saturday, in which he
blamed “foreign powers” for the atrocity and said Egypt is locked in an
“existential war”.
Egypt, which has declared a three-month state of emergency in
northern Sinai, also cancelled its planned role as mediator between
Israel and Hamas in talks aimed at maintaining a ceasefire that has held
since the end of the summer conflict.
Friday’s sophisticated terrorist attack - which Egyptian authorities
have indicated likely came from Gaza - was launched on Egyptian troops
with devastating effect. Old tunnels that had yet to be destroyed by
Egyptian forces or newly-dug tunnels that had not been detected were
likely used in the attack that combined the use of a suicide bomber on
one hand, with rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs on the
other.
Egypt has also closed its borders with Gaza. Will anyone care about this 'blockade'? Will countries like Norway and Turkey send ferries to run Egypt's 'blockade' and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza?
Following Friday’s attack, the Rafah crossing between southern Gaza
and Egypt was closed immediately and will reportedly remain closed
indefinitely. Hamas leaders have reportedly stated that Gaza will
“explode” if the Rafah crossing is not re-opened quickly.
While the southern crossing into Egypt is closed, other border
crossings with Israel remain open. Humanitarian and trade supplies are
being delivered by Israel to the more than 1.8 million residents of Gaza
whose Hamas government fought a 50-day war against them this summer.
The war cost the lives of a reported 2,000 Gazans, according to Hamas
government figures, and 70 Israelis. Recent independent analysis of the
Gazan dead suggests that as many as half were terrorist combatants.
By the way, that article is Fox News - not Arutz Sheva.
Egyptian military sources revealed details on the plan to the Palestinian Arab Ma'an News Agency on
Tuesday, divulging that all homes and farmland up to a depth of 500
meters (over 1,640 feet) into Gaza from the Sinai border will be seized
and evacuated, other than Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.
The expulsion will take place to that depth all along the 13 kilometer (over eight mile) border. Additionally, a channel with a depth and width of 20 meters (over 65 feet) will be dug along the Gaza border.
The military source added that residents faced with evacuation are
being offered compensation for abandoning their homes, and around 200
families have already accepted the financial package to vacate.
There are still 680 more families in the area faced with impending expulsion.
Egypt's buffer zone plans are expected to be completed by the end of the year....
Here's betting that the United Nations, the US State Department and the European Union will all have nothing to say about this. After all, what difference does it make?
Earlier in the afternoon, a security alert had been issued in the area when signs of an infiltration from Gaza were recognized at the border fence. A large number of forces were deployed to search the area, leading to the eventual arrest of the Palestinian youth who was armed with a knife.
The security officer of Shokeda, a community in the Sdot Negev Regional Council, carried out the arrest. An initial investigation into the incident determined that the Palestinian youth infiltrated from Gaza near Nahal Oz and from there made his way toward Shokeda, just a short distance from the Gaza border fence.
The security officer and an Israel Lands Authority employee noticed the suspect east of Shokeda after they had been alerted of the possible security breach. The suspect surrendered, dropping to his knees and raising his hands in submission after realizing he had been identified.
The security forces that had been combing the area were called to the scene, whereupon the suspect was searched and the knife, as well as another sharp weapon, were discovered.
They may not have homes to which to return but Ismail Haniyeh and his friends are still trying to set conditions for a 'cease fire' - ten of them in fact in return for ten years of quiet (they might ever...) - rather than just accepting one unconditionally (link in Hebrew).
1. Israel to move its tanks away from the border and allow 'Palestinian' farmers to work land along the 'security fence.'
2. Free all terrorists arrested after the kidnapping and murder of Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach HY"D (May God Avenge their blood), including those released as part of the terrorists for Gilad (Shalit) deal, and ease up on the conditions of 'Palestinian' terrorists in Israeli prisons, including Jerusalem residents and 'Israeli Arabs.'
3. Open the borders of Gaza and allow goods and materials to pass freely, including building materials (used to build bunkers and rockets) and anything necessary to operate Gaza's power plant.
4. Establish a seaport and an airport (they used to have one until Israel had to destroy it at the beginning of the intifadeh) under the supervision of the United Nations.
5. Widen the fishing zone to 10 kilometers from the shore, and allow the use of larger boats to transport goods.
6. Turn the Rafah border crossing into an international crossing to be operated by the United Nations and friendly Arab nations (CiJ comment - Presumably not including Egypt. This is not within Israel's power to decide).
7. International monitors to monitor borders and Israel is forbidden to overfly Gaza. (You mean like EUBAM was in control and fled?).
8. Ease the granting of approvals to pray at al-Aqsa mosque (the Temple Mount) in Jerusalem.
9. Refrain from interfering in the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation.
10. Re-establishment of industrial zones (to replace what they destroyed) and improvement of development conditions in the Gaza Strip.
In the meantime, Hamas has announced that it has developed a new rocket, the Ahmed Yassin. No, it doesn't blow up sitting in a wheelchair. Hamas claims it has a range of 180 kilometers and that it carries a particularly large payload.
Peace is at hand!
UPDATE 2:48 PM
JPost and Arutz Sheva now reporting this story, as is Channel 2 television. JPost is reporting that the proposal was presented on al-Jazeera Arabic by Azmi Bishara. Bishara, who fled Israel and now lives in Qatar, suggests that Turkey and Qatar would be better mediators than Egypt, which he claims has too many shared interests with Israel.
How is it that the Mossad has not knocked off Bishara yet? Hmmm.
Seven rioting 'Palestinians' wounded by IDF fire at Gaza border
Seven rioting 'Palestinians' were shot and wounded - one seriously - at the Gaza border fence on Wednesday, according to 'Palestinian' medical officials quoted by the Maan news agency.
Groups of Palestinians gathered on the Gaza side of the fence on
Wednesday afternoon and spent several hours attempting to damage the
barrier, the IDF said.
The rioting occurred on the border with both central and southern
Gaza. IDF soldiers shouted out verbal warnings, an IDF spokeswoman said,
adding that when their calls were ignored, shots were fired at the legs
of those taking part in the violent disturbances.
Medical officials told Ma'an that one man sustained serious injuries, and was transferred to the hospital.
"The IDF will continue to secure the border and safeguard the Israeli public," the spokeswoman added.
Well, I certainly hope so. After the last few days, I had the impression that the IDF was ordered not to secure the border. Apparently, so did the 'Palestinians.'
Thousands of Gazans, including uniformed Hamas terrorists, are reaching IDF positions on the Gaza border as a result of new rules of engagement since the 'ceasefire' that ended Operation Pillar of Defense that prohibit IDF soldiers from opening fire.
"Between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. there are hundreds and possibly
thousands of people roaming near the fence, including uniformed Hamas
men," a soldier told Channel 2. His identity was disguised to avoid trouble from the IDF.
"They crossed the fence several times and went into our forces'
positions and destroyed IDF property. The forces cannot push them away
from the fence because they may not even fire in the air."
A female soldier who is stationed near the fence also spoke to the TV
channel, with her voice distorted to prevent identification.
"Let us say that the communities in the area are not safe now," she
said. "If some armed madman decides to cross the fence he can ce ross it.
It endangers our soldiers because they are exposed along the fence. At
any given moment, if they want, they can now fire an antitank weapon at
them and hit them easily."
Asked what her commanders say about the situation, she answered:
"That these are orders from above and we can't do anything about it."
The reason for the new instructions is the ceasefire agreement reached with Hamas at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense.
The IDF responded by saying it has no intention of giving details regarding its operational activity.
I wonder who will take the blame when God forbid there is a terror attack. Or maybe they just assume that everyone in the Gaza envelope is an expert in Krav Maga.
'Palestinian' group posts video of missile attack on IDF jeep (with video)
The 'Popular Resistance Committees,' the same Hamas front group that took 'credit' for kidnapping Gilad Shalit six years ago, has posted a video online of what purports to be the anti-tank missile attack on an IDF jeep patrolling the Gaza security fence on Sunday.
The video was posted a number of times on YouTube but repeatedly removed by the site's administrators.
The
video appears to be shot from the Gaza-side of the border, and captures
two IDF patrol jeeps making their way along the border. A guided
missile, possibly a Kornet, can be seen striking the forward jeep
head-on, causing an explosion.
Let's go to the videotape. More after the video.
The text introducing the purported shots of the guided missile strike
says that a" group of Mujahadeen from the al-Nasser Salah al-Din
Brigades targeted a Jeep east of Gaza with a guided missile at 16:10 on
Saturday 10.11.2012, the Jeep was destroyed and a Zionist soldier killed
and three others injured with serious injuries."
Four soldiers were injured in the attack, and one soldier remains in serious condition with a head injury.
The
opening of the clip shows the logo of al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades,
the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees.
The video
then shows text from the Quran, Surat al-Hashr (The Exile) which talks
about how the Jewish people were exiled from their homes by the will of
Allah, because of their transgressions.
Let's hope the IDF gets the chance for revenge soon.
Here's an update on the two IDF soldiers who were seriously injuredwhen their jeep was hit by an anti-tank missile along the Gaza security fence on Saturday. This is from the first link.
Dr. Orly Weinstein, deputy director of Soroka hospital reports that
one of the IDF soldier’s injured in the anti-tank missile attack against
their jeep is still in very serious condition.
The hospital just finished operating on him for his head and eye
injuries. He’s more stable than he was when he was first brought in, but
he’s unconscious. His life is still in danger.
The second soldier that was brought to Soroka is now listed in
moderate condition, and Dr. Weinstein says the operation to remove the
shrapnel from his eyes was successful. He was moved to the ICU.
I do not have names for prayers. If I get them, I will post them.
Air Force aircraft fired at a Palestinian terror cell early Tuesday as its members were attempting to plant an explosive device near the central Gaza Strip border fence.
The army said the attack target was hit. Palestinian sources later confirmed that the strike left casualties on the Palestinian side; no further details were provided.
“The IDF will not tolerate any bid to harm the State of Israel’s citizens and IDF soldiers and will continue to operate against any element that utilizes terror against the State of Israel,” the military said following the strike. “The Hamas terror group is the address and it bears the responsibility.”
The latest attack marked the third Israeli airstrike in the Strip in the past 24 hours.
The IDF killed four terrorists in two strikes on Gaza on Monday, two who were about to fire rockets into Israel and two in a mid-day strike that was allegedly not connected to Monday morning's terror attack on the Egyptian border.
Could we be headed for another Operation Cast Lead?
Three 'Palestinian' terrorists has a blast while planting a bomb along the Gaza security fence on Monday afternoon. They met up with some tank shells. All three are still alive, but they had an explosive experience.
An IDF force opened fire on a Palestinian terror cell that was planting two explosive devices along the Gaza Strip-Israel border fence Monday afternoon.
The IDF Spokesman's Office said fire was opened after the cell was identified planting the bombs, adding that an "accurate strike" was confirmed by the army. The army directed tank fire at the terror cell. Three Palestinians were injured in the IDF response, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported, citing medical sources in Gaza.
"Terrorist elements exploit their presence near the border fence to plant explosives, and plan attacks and kidnappings on IDF soldiers. This presence poses a threat to Israeli citizens and to security forces that operate in the area," the spokesman added.
'Palestinians' fire on Israelis building Gaza 'security fence'
'Palestinian' terrorists fired on Israelis repairing the Gaza security fence on Thursday. IDF forces protecting the Israeli workers returned fire. As of this writing, there are no injuries reported among the Israelis.
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on Israelis working on the security fence separating Israel from Gaza.
IDF forces on the scene returned fire, and exchanges of fire are still ongoing, an Army spokesman said. The Palestinian attack included mortar shells on the Israeli position.
No injuries among Israelis have so far been reported. The incident is taking place near Kibbutz Zikim in the Western Negev.
IDF tank shells were also fired at the terrorists.
IDF soldier Nadav Rotenberg was killed by what turned out to be friendly fire near the Gaza security fence on Friday night. Fellow blogger Yehuda Berlinger's stepson was a friend of Rotenberg's, and was just 25 meters away when Rotenberg was killed.
My step-son Eitan returned from patrol on Friday evening and went to sleep. He was awakened shortly after and told that militants were in the area. A sharpshooter team was dispatched, and simultaneously a group of soldiers in control of a Keshet mortar system was told to target the militants.
It's still unclear as to what caused the error: a software problem, or an input problem. I'm not sure why both a sharpshooter team and a mortar team were assigned the task. Whatever the reason, at least one shell from the Keshet fell on the sharpshooter team. Nadav Rotenberg lost his arm and leg and died a few hours later. A commander had his face blown off ("moderately wounded"), and three other Israeli soldiers were injured.
Eitan was 25 meters away from the explosion. He was among those who tried to give first aid.
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
