Palestinian Weapons Production and Smuggling: What's New

February 28, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at the Gush Katif perimeter fence (Gaza Strip). Palestinian terrorists also fire at two security guards in the Israeli community of Menorah, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

In addition, IDF sappers destroy a booby-trapped car laden with 200 kilograms of explosives (West Bank).

("Gunfire at the Gush Katif Perimeter Fence," IsraelNationalNews, February 28, 2005; "Update: Shooting Victims Suffered Moderate and Light Injuries," IsraelNationalNews, February 28, 2005; Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, "IDF destroys bomb-laden car near Jenin," Ha'aretz, March 1, 2005).

February 27, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at a car traveling on the Trans-Samaria Highway (West Bank). Palestinians also fire at IDF forces near Har Bracha (Mt. Grizim, West Bank).

("Israeli Car Fired Upon In Samaria," IsraelNationalNews, February 27, 2005; "Palestinians Attack IDF Unit At Har Bracha Junction," IsraelNationalNews, February 27, 2005).

February 26, 2005:

A Palestinian suicide bomber kills four and injures 50 others at the entrance to a club on the Tel Aviv promenade.

("At Least 4 Dead in Tel Aviv Bombing," YNET News, February 26, 2005).

February 25, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire mortars at the Israeli communities of Nvei Dekalim and Netzarim (Gaza Strip).

("Mortar Shells Fired at Jewish Towns in Gaza Overnight," IsraelNationalNews, February 25, 2005).

February 25, 2005:

Ha'aretz reports that Palestinian terrorist groups continue to produce Qassam missiles. In addition, terrorist organizations are building rocket and mortar manufactories.

("PA Seals Off 12 Arms-Smuggling Tunnels in Gaza," Ha'aretz, February 25, 2005).

February 24, 2005:

Israel Radio reports that Egypt will not deploy forces to stop weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza unless Israel withdraws from the Philadelphi route.

("Vice Premier Peres: US Said Israel Should Not Participate in London Conference," IMRA, February 24, 2005).

February 24, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at at an IDF position near the Israeli community of Ganei Tal (Gaza Strip).

("IDF Position Comes Under Fire in Gush Katif," IsraelNationalNews, February 24, 2005).

February 23, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire two mortars at the Israeli community of Nevei Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

("Two Mortar Shells Hit Neve Dekalim," IsraelNationalNews, February 23, 2005).

February 22, 2005:

A senior IDF Intelligence officer warns the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Palestinian terror groups are exploiting the current cease-fire to produce and stockpile Qassam rockets as well as mortars.

(Nina Gilbert, "'Terror attacks still being prepared,'" Jerusalem Post, February 22, 2005).

February 21, 2005:

Israeli security forces arrest a senior Hamas terrorist planning to carry out an attack against the IDF.

("A Senior Hamas Terrorist who Planned an Attack Against IDF Forces was Arrested," IDF Spokesperson's Office, February 21, 2005).

February 20, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a rocket at the western Negev.

Palestinian terrorists also fire at an IDF position near the Israeli community of Nvei Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

("Rocket Attack into the Western Negev," IsraelNationalNews, February 20, 2005; "Terrorists Open Fire at IDF Post in Southern Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, February 20, 2005).

February 18, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket at the Israeli community of Nvei Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

("Friday Night Shelling Attack in N’vei Dekalim," IsraelNationalNews, February 19, 2005).

February 17, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket at the Israeli community of Moshav Katif (Gaza Strip). Terrorists also fire at an IDF position in the Rafah area (Gaza Strip).

In addition, IDF forces apprehend three suspected Hamas terrorists in the West Bank.

("Kassam Rocket Fired into Katif During the Night," IsraelNationalNews, February 17, 2005; "Hamas Terrorists Nabbed in Counter-Terrorism Operations," IsraelNationalNews, February 17, 2005; "Terrorists Fire at IDF Position in S. Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, February 17, 2005).

February 16, 2005:

The Jerusalem Post reports that 350 Palestinian terrorists are slated to be incorporated into the Palestinian Authority security forces. The terrorists, on Israel's wanted list, belong to various groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

(Khaled Abu Toameh, "Fugitives to Join PA Security Forces," Jerusalem Post, February 16, 2005).

February 16, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire two mortars at the Israeli community of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip.

("Two Mortar Shells Fall on Morag," IsraelNationalNews, February 16, 2005).

February 15, 2005:

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit announces that his country is slated to station 750 soldiers along the Egyptian-Gaza border to prevent cross-border smuggling.

("Egypt to Station 750 Soldiers on Border With Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, February 16, 2005).

February 15, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip. No injuries reported.

("No Injuries Reported in Gaza Shootout With Terrorists," IsraelNationalNews, February 15, 2005).

February 14, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a mortar at the Israeli community of Morag (Gaza Strip).

In addition, a Palestinian terrorist attempting to stab an IDF soldier outside of the Cave of the Patriarchs (Hebron), is shot and killed.

("Terrorist Killed Near Hevron´s Cave of the Patriarchs," IsraelNationalNews, February 14, 2005; "Mortar Shell Fired at Morag," IsraelNationalNews, February 14, 2005).

February 12, 2005:

Ehud Ya'ari, writing in the Jerusalem Report, notes that Hamas and other terrorist organizations hope to use a cease-fire to "...recover and regroup, after the blows they have sustained at the hands of the Israeli army and the Shin Bet. Their main aim will be to upgrade their rockets so that they can threaten Ashkelon."

(Ehud Ya'ari, "Time Out for Terror? Will Hamas Use the Cease-Fire to Become Another Hizballah?" The Jerusalem Report, February 12, 2005).

February 11,2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at road workers on the Kissufim road near the Gush Katif Junction (Gaza Strip).

("Terrorists Fire at Road Workers on Kissufim Road," IsraelNationalNews, February 11, 2005).

February 10, 2005:

Middle East Newsline reports that Hamas has initiated an effort to accelerate missile production in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli military sources, Hamas is using the current "cease-fire" to re-build its military capabilities, including the production of Qassam's, anti-tank rockets, and mines. In addition, Hamas has restored strongholds previously destroyed by the IDF, including weapons factories and warehouses.

An Israeli military official noted that "Hamas and other groups are preparing for another offensive...They are being encouraged and paid by Iran to stage provocations that would end the ceasefire."

("Hamas Increases Missile Production," MENL, February 10, 2005).

February 10, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a barrage of Qassam rockets and mortars at Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip. Damage is caused, but no injuries reported. Terrorists also fire an anti-tank rocket at an IDF position near the Israeli community of Nvei Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

("23 Rockets Pound Gush Katif Communities!," IsraelNationalNews, February 10, 2005).

February 9, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at an IDF position near the Israeli community of Kadim in Samaria (West Bank). No injuries or damage reported.

("No Injuries in N. Shomron Attack," IsraelNationalNews, February 9, 2005).

February 8, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at the Hativat Shomron checkpoint in northern Samaria (West Bank). No injuries.

("Terrorists Fire at a Shomron Checkpoint," IsraelNationalNews, February 8, 2005).

February 7, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a mortar at the Israeli community of Nvei Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

In addition, Israeli Border Police sappers detonated a 50 kilogram (110-pound) bomb near the Israeli community of Rafiah Yam in Gush Katif.

("Mortar Shell Attack in N’vei Dekalim," IsraelNationalNews, February 7, 2005; "50kg Bomb Neutralized in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, February 7, 2005).

February 5, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a mortar at an IDF position near the Israeli community of Gadid (Gaza Strip).

("Mortar Shell Attack Near Gadid," IsraelNationalNews, February 5, 2005).

February 4, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket at the Israeli community of Morag (Gaza Strip). Palestinian terrorists also fire a mortar towards Kibbutz Nahal Oz (western Negev), and fire at IDF forces near the Israeli communities of Netzarim and Neve Dekalim (Gaza Strip).

("Terrorists Busy: Mortar Shells, Rockets and Gunfire," IsraelNationalNews, February 5, 2005).

February 3, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire mortars at the Israeli community of Nevei Dekalim (Gaza Strip). Terrorists also fire at IDF forces near the Israeli community of Rafiah Yam (Gaza Strip).

In addition, Palestinian terrorists fire at and wound four IDF soldiers near Hebron (West Bank). The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, linked to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, claims responsibility for the attack.

In Gaza, two IDF soldiers are wounded when a Palestinian terrorist hurls hand grenades and fires at their vehicle along the Kissufim route in the Gaza Strip. The soldiers return fire, killing the terrorist.

("Mortar Shells Land in the N’vei Dekalim Area," IsraelNationalNews, February 3, 2005; "Terrorists Fire at IDF Near Rafiah Yam," IsraelNationalNews, February 3, 2005; Amos Harel and Jonathan Lis, "Six Israelis Hurt in Shooting Attacks in Gaza, W. Bank," Ha'aretz, February 3, 2005).

February 2, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire at IDF forces near the Israeli community of Gadid (Gaza Strip). Palestinians also fire towards an IDF position in Rafiah Yam (Gaza Strip). No injuries or damage are reported.

In addition, IDF forces discover four explosive devices planted by terrorists along the Israel-Egypt border in the Rafah area. Israeli Border Police sappers detonate the devices in a controlled explosion.

("Gunfire at IDF Near Gadid," IsraelNationalNews, February 2, 2005; "Terrorists Fire at IDF Position in Gadid," KatifNet, February 2, 2005; "Terrorists Fire at IDF Position in Rafiah Yam," KatifNet, February 2, 2005; Four Explosive Devices Detonated in a Controlled Explosion Near Rafah, KatifNet, February 2, 2005).

February 1, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists hurl a firebomb at an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, lightly wounding the driver. Palestinians also fire at IDF forces near Nablus (West Bank).

In addition, Palestinians fire mortars at Gush Katif (Gaza Strip).

("Israeli Motorist Lightly Injured in Firebomb Attack," IsraelNationalNews, February 1, 2005; "Soldiers Targeted in Two Shooting Attacks," IsraelNationalNews, February 1, 2005; "Mortar Shells Land in Gush Katif," IsraelNationalNews, February 1, 2005).