May 31, 2007:
The Shin Bet (GSS) recently arrested three Hamas terrorists from the Hebron sector (Halhul). The terrorists planted two IEDs and planned to carry out additional attacks. Dozens of kilograms of explosives and other bomb-making materials were found in their possession.
(Amos Harel, "Shin Bet Arrests Three Hamas Militants who Tried to Attack IDF Troops," Ha'aretz, May 31, 2007).
The Shin Bet (GSS) recently arrested three Hamas terrorists from the Hebron sector (Halhul). The terrorists planted two IEDs and planned to carry out additional attacks. Dozens of kilograms of explosives and other bomb-making materials were found in their possession.
(Amos Harel, "Shin Bet Arrests Three Hamas Militants who Tried to Attack IDF Troops," Ha'aretz, May 31, 2007).
May 31, 2007:
The IDF Home Front Command plans to launch a campaign to prepare the public for war.
Col. Hilik Sofer, head of the Home Front Command Population Division: "Our job is to prepare for an all-out war...We prepare for a wide range of possibilities since it doesn't make a difference where the threat comes from...We know that the Palestinians have Qassams that can reach 12-kilometer distances and even farther...And even though [rockets] have yet to fall there, we'd best be prepared."
Several weeks ago, the Home Front Command distributed pamphlets in Netivot and Ashkelon explaining how to react to a Qassam attack. Both cities are within 15 kilometers of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF has deployed early warning systems outside Netivot and Ashkelon. However, they have not been activated, pending government approval.
(Yaakov Katz, "Home Front Command to Get Public Ready for 'All-Out War'," Jerusalem Post, May 31, 2007).
The IDF Home Front Command plans to launch a campaign to prepare the public for war.
Col. Hilik Sofer, head of the Home Front Command Population Division: "Our job is to prepare for an all-out war...We prepare for a wide range of possibilities since it doesn't make a difference where the threat comes from...We know that the Palestinians have Qassams that can reach 12-kilometer distances and even farther...And even though [rockets] have yet to fall there, we'd best be prepared."
Several weeks ago, the Home Front Command distributed pamphlets in Netivot and Ashkelon explaining how to react to a Qassam attack. Both cities are within 15 kilometers of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF has deployed early warning systems outside Netivot and Ashkelon. However, they have not been activated, pending government approval.
(Yaakov Katz, "Home Front Command to Get Public Ready for 'All-Out War'," Jerusalem Post, May 31, 2007).
May 31, 2007:
Norway resumes direct aid to the PA with a $10 million transfer, after it became the first Western country to recognize the new Hamas-led coalition.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere: "We hope our contribution will help ease the social crisis the Palestinians are now going through...The critical situation in Gaza has many causes, but social need and desperation draw in a negative directions...It is especially important for the Palestinian authorities to receive economic aid from the international community."
("Norway Resumes Direct Aid to Palestinian Government," Associated Press, May 31, 2007).
Norway resumes direct aid to the PA with a $10 million transfer, after it became the first Western country to recognize the new Hamas-led coalition.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere: "We hope our contribution will help ease the social crisis the Palestinians are now going through...The critical situation in Gaza has many causes, but social need and desperation draw in a negative directions...It is especially important for the Palestinian authorities to receive economic aid from the international community."
("Norway Resumes Direct Aid to Palestinian Government," Associated Press, May 31, 2007).
May 31, 2007:
The Palestinian government and Hamas reject any plan to deploy Arab or international military forces to the Gaza Strip.
Salah Bardawil, Hamas PLC bloc spokesman: "Any plan in this regard will be rejected, and we will not deal with it in any way. Such plans aim to show that the conflict is [only] between Palestinians, and show Israel as outside of the game. Such plans also aim to show the issue as merely a humanitarian issue, aiming to end the political dimension of the problem...The one who kills the bearded Palestinian is not Palestinian. When we in Hamas decided to aim our rifles at the Israelis, the internal fighting stopped. This is evidence that the Israelis are behind what is going on."
("PLC and Hamas Reject Idea of Arab or International Forces Deployed in Gaza Strip," Ma'an News, May 30, 2007).
The Palestinian government and Hamas reject any plan to deploy Arab or international military forces to the Gaza Strip.
Salah Bardawil, Hamas PLC bloc spokesman: "Any plan in this regard will be rejected, and we will not deal with it in any way. Such plans aim to show that the conflict is [only] between Palestinians, and show Israel as outside of the game. Such plans also aim to show the issue as merely a humanitarian issue, aiming to end the political dimension of the problem...The one who kills the bearded Palestinian is not Palestinian. When we in Hamas decided to aim our rifles at the Israelis, the internal fighting stopped. This is evidence that the Israelis are behind what is going on."
("PLC and Hamas Reject Idea of Arab or International Forces Deployed in Gaza Strip," Ma'an News, May 30, 2007).
May 31, 2007:
Truck bombs have taken a devastating toll against American soldiers as well as civilians in Iraq, just as they did at the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993 and at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. Whether loaded with conventional explosives, or any mixture of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, ANFO, urea nitrate, or supplemented with chlorine and other chemical agents, truck bombs have the potential to wreak havoc in American cities and key infrastructure. Recent postings on Islamic forums indicate that trucks or other large vehicles are one potential method of delivery for the so-called "American Hiroshima" intended for U.S. cities as planned and approved in an Al Qaeda fatwa.
Aharon Etengoff and Sean Osborne, Associate Director of NEIN Military Affairs have prepared the following suggestions which might be implemented to protect power plants, schools, religious institutions, government buildings and critical infrastucture from the truck bomb threat.
Truck bombs have taken a devastating toll against American soldiers as well as civilians in Iraq, just as they did at the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993 and at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. Whether loaded with conventional explosives, or any mixture of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, ANFO, urea nitrate, or supplemented with chlorine and other chemical agents, truck bombs have the potential to wreak havoc in American cities and key infrastructure. Recent postings on Islamic forums indicate that trucks or other large vehicles are one potential method of delivery for the so-called "American Hiroshima" intended for U.S. cities as planned and approved in an Al Qaeda fatwa.
Aharon Etengoff and Sean Osborne, Associate Director of NEIN Military Affairs have prepared the following suggestions which might be implemented to protect power plants, schools, religious institutions, government buildings and critical infrastucture from the truck bomb threat.
- Sterile zones: Creation of a "sterile zone" around sensitive installations (such as power plants, fuel depots, ports of entry, schools and large religious centers) where entry of large vehicles should be forbidden if at all possible. Shipping and receiving at those select sites should occur at least 500 to 1,000 yards distant.
- Pre-screening: The pre-screening or forward inspection of delivery vehicles is standard practice at most military posts and other sensitive locations. At no time should transport vehicles be allowed to proceed after only a minimal check of the bill of lading being matched to the contents to be delivered.
- Major urban locations: Establish checkpoints at all major entry points (if general or precise intelligence warning is received). At other locations which are key urban and national infrastructure, such as Wall Street, a central receiving station should be maintained at distance with deliverables ferried in by cleared vehicles only.
- Highways and transportation infrastructure: Enhanced patrols with mobile roving checkpoints or stop-on command checks when threat indicators warrant. In July and August of 2001 several of the 9/11 hijackers, driving rented vehicles, had been pulled over by local law enforcement between Florida and New Jersey for moving violations. No central data base of suspicious persons or collated intelligence was instantly available to local law enforcement 2001. The local police are "on point" in the war against terrorists and must be kept in the actionable intelligence data stream.
- Real-time monitoring of all truck rentals: Local JTTF should be the hub and high priority disseminator to local LE of APBs regarding stolen or missing vehicles or suspicious persons renting same.
May 30, 2007:
- The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), along with the Islamic and National Resistance Brigades, claim responsibility for firing 10 mortars at Kfar Aza, "as retaliation for the Israeli killing and assassination operations in the territories."
- A Qassam rocket hits a high-voltage electricity pole and lands on a building in the western Negev city of Sderot. The electricity supply in some parts of the city is disrupted due to the strike. Earlier in the day, a Qassam rocket directly hit the fourth floor of a Sderot building. No one was wounded but a number people were treated for shock. Several apartments in the building were damaged in the attack, but rescue teams said the apartment that sustained a direct hit had been empty during the strike.
("Brigades Launch Ten Mortars at Kfar Aza," Ma'an News, May 30, 2007; Mijal Grinberg, "Qassam Rocket Hits Electricity Pole, Lands on Sderot Home," Ha'aretz, May 30, 2007).
- The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), along with the Islamic and National Resistance Brigades, claim responsibility for firing 10 mortars at Kfar Aza, "as retaliation for the Israeli killing and assassination operations in the territories."
- A Qassam rocket hits a high-voltage electricity pole and lands on a building in the western Negev city of Sderot. The electricity supply in some parts of the city is disrupted due to the strike. Earlier in the day, a Qassam rocket directly hit the fourth floor of a Sderot building. No one was wounded but a number people were treated for shock. Several apartments in the building were damaged in the attack, but rescue teams said the apartment that sustained a direct hit had been empty during the strike.
("Brigades Launch Ten Mortars at Kfar Aza," Ma'an News, May 30, 2007; Mijal Grinberg, "Qassam Rocket Hits Electricity Pole, Lands on Sderot Home," Ha'aretz, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
"During a joint IDF and GSA forces operations last night, four wanted Tanzim organization terrorists were arrested in Nablus. During the arrest, which took place at the Balata refugee camp, the forces uncovered three guns in the possession of the wanted terrorists.
The arrested terrorists are Jamal Abed El-Hamid, a 41 year old member of the Fatah organization legislative committee, and one of the organization's intelligence heads. El-Hamid was responsible for a terror attack at Cafe Bialik in Tel Aviv on March 2002, which killed an Israeli civilian and wounded 29 additional civilians.
The second arrested terrorist is Mussa Abu Lil, 25 years old, who was the suspect of the murder of Major Shachar Ben Yishai, may he rest in peace, during an operation in the Balata refugee camp in May 2005.
In addition, the security forces arrested Salim Atia, 35, who was said to be involved in many terror attacks, including the attack on the Trans-Samaria Highway in January 2005, and Firas Mahmed Hassan, 24, who was involved in the shooting attack in the Balata refugee camp which left one soldier wounded.
The four detainees are wanted members of the Tanzim terror organization in Nablus. The Nablus cell received instructions and finances from the Hezbollah terror organization with the aim of executing terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians."
("Security Forces Arrest Four Wanted Senior Terrorists," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 30, 2007).
"During a joint IDF and GSA forces operations last night, four wanted Tanzim organization terrorists were arrested in Nablus. During the arrest, which took place at the Balata refugee camp, the forces uncovered three guns in the possession of the wanted terrorists.
The arrested terrorists are Jamal Abed El-Hamid, a 41 year old member of the Fatah organization legislative committee, and one of the organization's intelligence heads. El-Hamid was responsible for a terror attack at Cafe Bialik in Tel Aviv on March 2002, which killed an Israeli civilian and wounded 29 additional civilians.
The second arrested terrorist is Mussa Abu Lil, 25 years old, who was the suspect of the murder of Major Shachar Ben Yishai, may he rest in peace, during an operation in the Balata refugee camp in May 2005.
In addition, the security forces arrested Salim Atia, 35, who was said to be involved in many terror attacks, including the attack on the Trans-Samaria Highway in January 2005, and Firas Mahmed Hassan, 24, who was involved in the shooting attack in the Balata refugee camp which left one soldier wounded.
The four detainees are wanted members of the Tanzim terror organization in Nablus. The Nablus cell received instructions and finances from the Hezbollah terror organization with the aim of executing terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians."
("Security Forces Arrest Four Wanted Senior Terrorists," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
Khalid Meshal (HAMAS): "Negative foreign intervention, especially by the U.S. and Zionist entity, is responsible for these internal conflicts...The siege is collective punishment, and a crime...And the crime is even worse after the Mecca agreement because Palestinians had expected the siege would be lifted...Now the international community is trying to undermine Hamas...That will lead to an explosion that will be in the face of the Zionist occupation. The damage will affect the stability of the entire region."
("Meshal: Hamas Intend to Continue Operations on the Zionist Military Sites and Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 30, 2007).
Khalid Meshal (HAMAS): "Negative foreign intervention, especially by the U.S. and Zionist entity, is responsible for these internal conflicts...The siege is collective punishment, and a crime...And the crime is even worse after the Mecca agreement because Palestinians had expected the siege would be lifted...Now the international community is trying to undermine Hamas...That will lead to an explosion that will be in the face of the Zionist occupation. The damage will affect the stability of the entire region."
("Meshal: Hamas Intend to Continue Operations on the Zionist Military Sites and Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
The IDF is slated to deploy a new surveillance system along the Gaza Strip border that will allow soldiers to identify and eliminate terrorists approaching the perimeter fence.
The system, developed by the Armament Development Authority (RAFAEL), will lower the risk of Israeli casualties as it is capable of firing at multiple targets simultaneously.
"It sounds like science fiction, but it is here and it is proven and will greatly improve the IDF's ability to thwart terrorist infiltrations from the Gaza Strip..."
(Arieh Egozy, "Army to Deploy Surveillance System Near Gaza," YnetNews, May 30, 2007).
The IDF is slated to deploy a new surveillance system along the Gaza Strip border that will allow soldiers to identify and eliminate terrorists approaching the perimeter fence.
The system, developed by the Armament Development Authority (RAFAEL), will lower the risk of Israeli casualties as it is capable of firing at multiple targets simultaneously.
"It sounds like science fiction, but it is here and it is proven and will greatly improve the IDF's ability to thwart terrorist infiltrations from the Gaza Strip..."
(Arieh Egozy, "Army to Deploy Surveillance System Near Gaza," YnetNews, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
- Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket that impacts against a house in Sderot. Five rockets have been fired at Israel since Wednesday morning.
- PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (HAMAS) limits his public appearances. Ghazi Hamad: "He is frightened by the Israeli forces...He's scared of being assassinated...so he is taking precautions."
(Yaakov Katz, "Kassam Hits Sderot House; No Wounded," Jerusalem Post, May 30, 2007).
- Palestinian terrorists fire a Qassam rocket that impacts against a house in Sderot. Five rockets have been fired at Israel since Wednesday morning.
- PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (HAMAS) limits his public appearances. Ghazi Hamad: "He is frightened by the Israeli forces...He's scared of being assassinated...so he is taking precautions."
(Yaakov Katz, "Kassam Hits Sderot House; No Wounded," Jerusalem Post, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
Abu Obaiada, Hamas: "The Zionist entity...has nothing to do in Gaza and he has to give up...We are working to improve our resistance means as we promised our people...And our rockets will be more accurate and more influencing...We said about reaching the rockets to Asqlan [Ashkelon] that it's a matter of time. And we are working to develop our resistance techniques and means...Destroying the rockets, building, and even the leaders martyrdom didn't make us retreat. It will give us more strength and power to continue our struggle against the Zionist entity and protect the Palestinian people."
("Abu Obaiada: The Zionist Entity Have to Forget Shalit Forever," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 29, 2007).
Abu Obaiada, Hamas: "The Zionist entity...has nothing to do in Gaza and he has to give up...We are working to improve our resistance means as we promised our people...And our rockets will be more accurate and more influencing...We said about reaching the rockets to Asqlan [Ashkelon] that it's a matter of time. And we are working to develop our resistance techniques and means...Destroying the rockets, building, and even the leaders martyrdom didn't make us retreat. It will give us more strength and power to continue our struggle against the Zionist entity and protect the Palestinian people."
("Abu Obaiada: The Zionist Entity Have to Forget Shalit Forever," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 29, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
WeaponSurvey Analysis: The deteriorating security situation in southern Israel and the continued erosion of Israeli deterrence (caused by the Gaza "disengagement" and the Second Lebanon War) has had seemingly little (long-term) effect on the economy. Indeed, the shekel has strengthened significantly and unemployment is slightly down. This economic bubble has allowed Ehud Olmert to remain in office despite the unflattering Winnograd Report and widespread public dissatisfaction with his wartime performance.
Bubble Collapse: Possible Catalysts
WeaponSurvey Analysis: The deteriorating security situation in southern Israel and the continued erosion of Israeli deterrence (caused by the Gaza "disengagement" and the Second Lebanon War) has had seemingly little (long-term) effect on the economy. Indeed, the shekel has strengthened significantly and unemployment is slightly down. This economic bubble has allowed Ehud Olmert to remain in office despite the unflattering Winnograd Report and widespread public dissatisfaction with his wartime performance.
Bubble Collapse: Possible Catalysts
- Qassam rocket attack resulting in multiple casualties
- Suicide bombing resulting in multiple casualties
- Major terrorist attack against IDF forces
- Flare-up along the northern border
- Labor Party exit from the coalition
- Sudden economic downturn
- Additional scandals
- Kadima "coup"
May 30, 2007:
- The IAF targets two Palestinian terrorists in the process of firing rockets at Israel from northern Gaza.
- IDF forces wound a Palestinian terrorist who fired on their patrol near the West Bank town of Tulkarem.
("Two Killed in IAF Strike on Gaza Strip Rocket Crew," Associated Press, May 30, 2007).
- The IAF targets two Palestinian terrorists in the process of firing rockets at Israel from northern Gaza.
- IDF forces wound a Palestinian terrorist who fired on their patrol near the West Bank town of Tulkarem.
("Two Killed in IAF Strike on Gaza Strip Rocket Crew," Associated Press, May 30, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
- PA Foreign Minister, Ziad Abu Amr, meets with the speaker of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, and a high-ranking EU delegation.
- Kirsten Belck Olsen, the representative of Norwegian People's Aid in the PA: "We are pressuring our government to help the Palestinian government and to lift the siege."
("Speaker of European Parliament Meets Palestinian Foreign Minister in Gaza," Ma'an News, May 29, 2007; "Norwegian People's Aid Assures that Norway is Trying to Lift the Siege on the Palestinian People and Government," Ma'an News, May 29, 2007).
- PA Foreign Minister, Ziad Abu Amr, meets with the speaker of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, and a high-ranking EU delegation.
- Kirsten Belck Olsen, the representative of Norwegian People's Aid in the PA: "We are pressuring our government to help the Palestinian government and to lift the siege."
("Speaker of European Parliament Meets Palestinian Foreign Minister in Gaza," Ma'an News, May 29, 2007; "Norwegian People's Aid Assures that Norway is Trying to Lift the Siege on the Palestinian People and Government," Ma'an News, May 29, 2007).
May 30, 2007:
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announces that its subsidiary Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. ("Elop") has been awarded several contracts valued at a total of approximately $50 million to supply hand-held Thermal Imaging systems to the Canadian and Israeli armed forces as well as for additional customers worldwide.
"Elop's advanced hand-held Thermal Imaging systems are part of the CORAL family of products. They combine advanced capabilities and high performance with compactness and low energy consumption, providing a considerable advantage to infantry forces," said Elop’s General Manager, Haim Rousso. "These orders, that follow other recent contract awards around the globe, further establish our position as a market leader in advanced Thermal Imaging systems optimized for the modern battlefield."
The hand-held night vision Thermal Imaging system is lightweight (less than 2.5 kg) and is carried by an infantry soldier on a neck-strap. The system enables the user to view targets at night at tactical ranges, from either fixed positions or while in motion.
Full Press Release here.
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announces that its subsidiary Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. ("Elop") has been awarded several contracts valued at a total of approximately $50 million to supply hand-held Thermal Imaging systems to the Canadian and Israeli armed forces as well as for additional customers worldwide.
"Elop's advanced hand-held Thermal Imaging systems are part of the CORAL family of products. They combine advanced capabilities and high performance with compactness and low energy consumption, providing a considerable advantage to infantry forces," said Elop’s General Manager, Haim Rousso. "These orders, that follow other recent contract awards around the globe, further establish our position as a market leader in advanced Thermal Imaging systems optimized for the modern battlefield."
The hand-held night vision Thermal Imaging system is lightweight (less than 2.5 kg) and is carried by an infantry soldier on a neck-strap. The system enables the user to view targets at night at tactical ranges, from either fixed positions or while in motion.
Full Press Release here.
May 29, 2007:
- The IAF targets a Hamas training camp (former Israeli community of Atzmona) in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Three Islamic Jihad terrorists are killed in an explosion in the central Gaza Strip in an apparent "work accident."
- IDF forces kill two Hamas terrorists in a gunbattle that broke out during a cross-border raid into Gaza.
- IDF forces kill two Fatah terrorists during separate raids in the West Bank.
- IDF special forces in Ramallah attempt to arrest Omar Abdel-Halim, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a former member of the elite Force 17. An exchange of fire breaks out during the raid, in which the 22-year old Abdel-Halim is killed and four other Palestinians wounded. Adbel-Halim was considered an associate of Khaled Shwish, who was arrested by the IDF on Monday. Shwish was one of the founders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Bridages, and is believed to be responsible for the deaths of eight Israelis.
- IDF special forces near Jenin kill Mohammed Mara'i, who five days ago announced the formation of a new Fatah militant offshoot, the Abu Amar Brigades.
(Amos Harel, Mijal Grinberg, Amiram Barkat and Or Kashti, "IAF Hits Hamas Camp in South Gaza; 3 Jihad Men Killed in 'Work Accident'," Ha'aretz, May 29, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, Mijal Grinberg, Amiram Barkat and Or Kashti, "IDF Troops Kill Two Fatah Militants in Separate West Bank Raids," May 29, 2007).
- The IAF targets a Hamas training camp (former Israeli community of Atzmona) in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Three Islamic Jihad terrorists are killed in an explosion in the central Gaza Strip in an apparent "work accident."
- IDF forces kill two Hamas terrorists in a gunbattle that broke out during a cross-border raid into Gaza.
- IDF forces kill two Fatah terrorists during separate raids in the West Bank.
- IDF special forces in Ramallah attempt to arrest Omar Abdel-Halim, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a former member of the elite Force 17. An exchange of fire breaks out during the raid, in which the 22-year old Abdel-Halim is killed and four other Palestinians wounded. Adbel-Halim was considered an associate of Khaled Shwish, who was arrested by the IDF on Monday. Shwish was one of the founders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Bridages, and is believed to be responsible for the deaths of eight Israelis.
- IDF special forces near Jenin kill Mohammed Mara'i, who five days ago announced the formation of a new Fatah militant offshoot, the Abu Amar Brigades.
(Amos Harel, Mijal Grinberg, Amiram Barkat and Or Kashti, "IAF Hits Hamas Camp in South Gaza; 3 Jihad Men Killed in 'Work Accident'," Ha'aretz, May 29, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, Mijal Grinberg, Amiram Barkat and Or Kashti, "IDF Troops Kill Two Fatah Militants in Separate West Bank Raids," May 29, 2007).
May 29, 2007:
"In an Israeli security forces operation in Nablus early this morning, May 29th 2007, the forces arrested four senior wanted operatives from Tanzim, an offshoot of the Fatah organization. The forces uncovered three handguns in the building where the three were staying. The four were involved in bombings and shooting attacks against Israelis in which civilians were killed and injured, and belong to a terrorist infrastructure guided and funded by Hizballah.
- Jamal Abdel Hamid Mohammad Tirawi, 41, is a senior Tanzim terrorist in Nablus, one of the heads of Palestinian General Intelligence in Nablus and a member of the Fatah Legislative Council. Tirawi is involved in directing and dispatching terrorists for attacks, including the suicide bomber who exploded himself at the Bialik Cafe in Tel Aviv in March 2002, killing an Israeli woman and injuring 29 others. Additionally, Tirawi recruited operatives for Tanzim, dealt in weaponry and supplied arms to Tanzim cells in Nablus.
- Rabiah Farid Mousah Abu Lil, 25, a member of Tirawi's cell, is involved in shooting and bombing attacks. He is suspected of involvement in the killing of an IDF officer in late May 2005 during an operation in the Balata R.C. and in the shooting attack near the Israeli community of Migdalim in January 2005 in which two soldiers were killed and another was injured.
- Najeh Salim Atiah Abu Shahin, 35, is involved in directing and executing attacks against Israelis, including the previously mentioned attack near Migdalim.
- Faras Mohammad Hassan Rian, 24, is involved in shooting and bombing attacks, including a shooting attack in which an IDF soldier was wounded during an operation in the Balata R.C."
("Top Tanzim operatives Arrested in Nablus," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 29, 2007).
"In an Israeli security forces operation in Nablus early this morning, May 29th 2007, the forces arrested four senior wanted operatives from Tanzim, an offshoot of the Fatah organization. The forces uncovered three handguns in the building where the three were staying. The four were involved in bombings and shooting attacks against Israelis in which civilians were killed and injured, and belong to a terrorist infrastructure guided and funded by Hizballah.
- Jamal Abdel Hamid Mohammad Tirawi, 41, is a senior Tanzim terrorist in Nablus, one of the heads of Palestinian General Intelligence in Nablus and a member of the Fatah Legislative Council. Tirawi is involved in directing and dispatching terrorists for attacks, including the suicide bomber who exploded himself at the Bialik Cafe in Tel Aviv in March 2002, killing an Israeli woman and injuring 29 others. Additionally, Tirawi recruited operatives for Tanzim, dealt in weaponry and supplied arms to Tanzim cells in Nablus.
- Rabiah Farid Mousah Abu Lil, 25, a member of Tirawi's cell, is involved in shooting and bombing attacks. He is suspected of involvement in the killing of an IDF officer in late May 2005 during an operation in the Balata R.C. and in the shooting attack near the Israeli community of Migdalim in January 2005 in which two soldiers were killed and another was injured.
- Najeh Salim Atiah Abu Shahin, 35, is involved in directing and executing attacks against Israelis, including the previously mentioned attack near Migdalim.
- Faras Mohammad Hassan Rian, 24, is involved in shooting and bombing attacks, including a shooting attack in which an IDF soldier was wounded during an operation in the Balata R.C."
("Top Tanzim operatives Arrested in Nablus," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 29, 2007).
May 29, 2007:
The APAM (Anti Personnel/Anti Materiel) round was developed by IMI to meet the requirements for a true multi-purpose tank ammunition, as an answer to the many varied threats found on diverse battlefields, both present and future. APAM's unique design is based on a projectile containing six war-heads and an advanced fuzing system that provides two modes of operation; impact and ejection. In the impact mode the projectile explodes as a single unit, similar to a standard high explosive shell. In the ejection mode, the war-heads explode sequentially in the air above the target, creating a dense cloud of lethal fragments. These versatile capabilities made the APAM cartridge "weapon of choice" for Merkava MK2 crews, as they were able to use one type of ammunition to deal with all the targets they encountered during the war.
Impact mode was used against buildings, bunkers and vehicles, ejection mode against enemy personnel. IMI is in an advanced stage of development of a 120 mm version to be used by the IDF's Merkava MK3 and MK4 MBTs.
Full Press Release here.
The APAM (Anti Personnel/Anti Materiel) round was developed by IMI to meet the requirements for a true multi-purpose tank ammunition, as an answer to the many varied threats found on diverse battlefields, both present and future. APAM's unique design is based on a projectile containing six war-heads and an advanced fuzing system that provides two modes of operation; impact and ejection. In the impact mode the projectile explodes as a single unit, similar to a standard high explosive shell. In the ejection mode, the war-heads explode sequentially in the air above the target, creating a dense cloud of lethal fragments. These versatile capabilities made the APAM cartridge "weapon of choice" for Merkava MK2 crews, as they were able to use one type of ammunition to deal with all the targets they encountered during the war.
Impact mode was used against buildings, bunkers and vehicles, ejection mode against enemy personnel. IMI is in an advanced stage of development of a 120 mm version to be used by the IDF's Merkava MK3 and MK4 MBTs.
Full Press Release here.
May 29, 2007:
Abu Obiada, Al-Qassam Brigades (HAMAS) spokesman: "These crimes against our people, which are very dangerous, are considered a new war against the Palestinian people...The enemy is responsible for the results of firing Qassam rockets. The Zionist entity escalated its aggression, we escalated our resistance."
Fawzi Barhum, Hamas Gaza Strip spokesman: "Our martyrs sacrifices will not pass away. We call upon Ezzdeen Al Qassam Brigades and the Palestinian resistance factions to use all kinds of resistance to respond to the occupation massacres."
("Ayman Taha: Hamas Have no Choice but to Defend the Palestinian People," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 28, 2007).
Abu Obiada, Al-Qassam Brigades (HAMAS) spokesman: "These crimes against our people, which are very dangerous, are considered a new war against the Palestinian people...The enemy is responsible for the results of firing Qassam rockets. The Zionist entity escalated its aggression, we escalated our resistance."
Fawzi Barhum, Hamas Gaza Strip spokesman: "Our martyrs sacrifices will not pass away. We call upon Ezzdeen Al Qassam Brigades and the Palestinian resistance factions to use all kinds of resistance to respond to the occupation massacres."
("Ayman Taha: Hamas Have no Choice but to Defend the Palestinian People," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website, May 28, 2007).
May 29, 2007:
An elite IDF unit arrests Khaled Shawish, a senior commander of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades (FATAH) in Ramallah.
Shawish was behind dozens of attacks including suicide bombings in Jerusalem as well as shooting attacks on roads in the Ramallah area including one that killed Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane, son of Rabbi Meir Kahane, in 2002. Shawish has been wanted by the IDF since 2000 and spent most of his time near the Ramallah Mukata. He was in possession of a gun when arrested.
IDF Spokesperson's Office:
During a joint IDF and ISA operation in Ramallah today, May 28th 2007, IDF forces arrested Haled Jamal Mussah Shawish, the head of the Tanzim terror infrastructure in the city. Shawish was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest. Shawish was actively involved in recent years in several terror attacks. Among his activities, Shawish trained other Tanzim operatives in bomb-making and explosive belt construction, executed bomb attacks and directed a number of suicide bombings. He also took part in the planning of a number of abductions.
In late 2001 Shawish was crippled by injuries sustained in a gunfight with IDF soldiers. However, this did not hinder his continued efforts to direct murderous attacks against Israeli civilians.
Shawish took part in the following attacks:
* November 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle traveling along the trans-Samaria route in which a number of civilians were injured.
* December 21st 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle on road 443 in which a civilian was murdered.
* December 31st 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle near the community of Ofra. Two parents were murdered and their five children injured.
* December 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle in which a civilian was injured.
* April 30th 2001 - A shooting attack against an Israeli vehicle in the Ramallah area in which an Israeli civilian was murdered.
* September 15th 2001 - Using a weapon delivered by Shawish, terrorists executed a shooting attack in the Jerusalem neighborhood of the French Hill, in which an Israeli civilian was murdered.
* February 27th 2002 - A female suicide bomber dispatched by Shawish, carried out a bombing at a checkpoint in which two Policemen were injured.
* March 21st 2002 - A suicide bombing in King George St. in Jerusalem, in which 3 Israelis were murdered and 35 others injured.
In recent years and up until his arrest, Shawish held a dominant position in the Tanzim's terrorist infrastructure and was a member of the organization's decision-making committee. Shawish took advantage of his connections with Palestinian Authority officials in order to hide in Ramallah's Mukataa compound for several years. Recently he was involved in shooting attacks in the region.
(Yaakov Katz, "Man Who Killed Kahane's Son Arrested in Ramallah," Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2007; "Top Tanzim Terrorist Arrested in Ramallah," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 28, 2007).
An elite IDF unit arrests Khaled Shawish, a senior commander of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades (FATAH) in Ramallah.
Shawish was behind dozens of attacks including suicide bombings in Jerusalem as well as shooting attacks on roads in the Ramallah area including one that killed Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane, son of Rabbi Meir Kahane, in 2002. Shawish has been wanted by the IDF since 2000 and spent most of his time near the Ramallah Mukata. He was in possession of a gun when arrested.
IDF Spokesperson's Office:
During a joint IDF and ISA operation in Ramallah today, May 28th 2007, IDF forces arrested Haled Jamal Mussah Shawish, the head of the Tanzim terror infrastructure in the city. Shawish was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest. Shawish was actively involved in recent years in several terror attacks. Among his activities, Shawish trained other Tanzim operatives in bomb-making and explosive belt construction, executed bomb attacks and directed a number of suicide bombings. He also took part in the planning of a number of abductions.
In late 2001 Shawish was crippled by injuries sustained in a gunfight with IDF soldiers. However, this did not hinder his continued efforts to direct murderous attacks against Israeli civilians.
Shawish took part in the following attacks:
* November 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle traveling along the trans-Samaria route in which a number of civilians were injured.
* December 21st 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle on road 443 in which a civilian was murdered.
* December 31st 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle near the community of Ofra. Two parents were murdered and their five children injured.
* December 2000 - A shooting attack at an Israeli vehicle in which a civilian was injured.
* April 30th 2001 - A shooting attack against an Israeli vehicle in the Ramallah area in which an Israeli civilian was murdered.
* September 15th 2001 - Using a weapon delivered by Shawish, terrorists executed a shooting attack in the Jerusalem neighborhood of the French Hill, in which an Israeli civilian was murdered.
* February 27th 2002 - A female suicide bomber dispatched by Shawish, carried out a bombing at a checkpoint in which two Policemen were injured.
* March 21st 2002 - A suicide bombing in King George St. in Jerusalem, in which 3 Israelis were murdered and 35 others injured.
In recent years and up until his arrest, Shawish held a dominant position in the Tanzim's terrorist infrastructure and was a member of the organization's decision-making committee. Shawish took advantage of his connections with Palestinian Authority officials in order to hide in Ramallah's Mukataa compound for several years. Recently he was involved in shooting attacks in the region.
(Yaakov Katz, "Man Who Killed Kahane's Son Arrested in Ramallah," Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2007; "Top Tanzim Terrorist Arrested in Ramallah," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 28, 2007).
May 29, 2007:
A forum of Palestinian organizations publish a report (2004-2006) about the killing Palestinian of women under the guise of so-called family honour.
The average number of women killed for challenging patriarchal norms increased from 14 incidents to 32 in one year...The youngest was a 12 year old girl and the oldest was 85. 32 out of 48 reported cases were documented formally as murder on the basis of family honour.
According to the report, out of 32 reported cases of 'honour killing', 30 of the murdered girls were Muslim. Of these 30 Muslim victims, 14 were unmarried, 8 were married, 6 were divorced and 2 were widows. Half of the victims were in the Gaza Strip and the rest were in the West Bank. The report also noted that the murder of 'dishonourable' women was committed in numerous ways, including stabbing, suffocating and poisoning. In 17 cases, the perpetrators were brothers, while in 5 cases the fathers killed their own daughters.
("Palestinian NGOs Reveal Rising Rates of So-Called 'Honour Killings'," Ma'an News, May 28, 2007).
A forum of Palestinian organizations publish a report (2004-2006) about the killing Palestinian of women under the guise of so-called family honour.
The average number of women killed for challenging patriarchal norms increased from 14 incidents to 32 in one year...The youngest was a 12 year old girl and the oldest was 85. 32 out of 48 reported cases were documented formally as murder on the basis of family honour.
According to the report, out of 32 reported cases of 'honour killing', 30 of the murdered girls were Muslim. Of these 30 Muslim victims, 14 were unmarried, 8 were married, 6 were divorced and 2 were widows. Half of the victims were in the Gaza Strip and the rest were in the West Bank. The report also noted that the murder of 'dishonourable' women was committed in numerous ways, including stabbing, suffocating and poisoning. In 17 cases, the perpetrators were brothers, while in 5 cases the fathers killed their own daughters.
("Palestinian NGOs Reveal Rising Rates of So-Called 'Honour Killings'," Ma'an News, May 28, 2007).
May 28, 2007:
Israel Radio: "The buildings that were reinforced in the last two years in the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip are not protected in light of the improvement in the rockets that the Palestinians are firing. Our correspondent Nissim Keinan has learned that the protection was planned for rockets with a warhead of some 3 kilograms but the rockets that the terror groups are firing today carry double that amount of explosives."
(Dr. Aaron Lerner, "Reinforcement of Buildings Near Gaza Strip Ineffective as Rockets Have Twice the Explosives in Warheads," IMRA, May 28, 2007).
Israel Radio: "The buildings that were reinforced in the last two years in the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip are not protected in light of the improvement in the rockets that the Palestinians are firing. Our correspondent Nissim Keinan has learned that the protection was planned for rockets with a warhead of some 3 kilograms but the rockets that the terror groups are firing today carry double that amount of explosives."
(Dr. Aaron Lerner, "Reinforcement of Buildings Near Gaza Strip Ineffective as Rockets Have Twice the Explosives in Warheads," IMRA, May 28, 2007).
May 28, 2007:
- 10 rockets are fired at the western Negev, wounding one.
- A group of female soldiers suffer shock after one of the rockets land near them (IDF troops stationed in Sderot are required to wear helmets at all times).
- The PRC and PFLP claim joint responsibility.
("9 Qassams Fired at Negev Since Monday Morning," YnetNews, May 28, 2007; "One Wounded as Ten Kassam Rockets Land in Western Negev," Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2007).
- 10 rockets are fired at the western Negev, wounding one.
- A group of female soldiers suffer shock after one of the rockets land near them (IDF troops stationed in Sderot are required to wear helmets at all times).
- The PRC and PFLP claim joint responsibility.
("9 Qassams Fired at Negev Since Monday Morning," YnetNews, May 28, 2007; "One Wounded as Ten Kassam Rockets Land in Western Negev," Jerusalem Post, May 28, 2007).
May 28, 2007:
Hamas Releases Qassam Statistics
Hamas Releases Qassam Statistics
May 28, 2007:
- IAF planes bomb Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip town of Deir el-Balah.
- Palestinian terrorists fire two Qassam rockets at Sderot. One of the rockets hit a home that had been damaged by a Qassam in the past.
IDF Spoksperson's Office:
Since May 15th 2007, Palestinians launched close to 250 rockets into Israel. Since yesterday 13 Qassam rockets were launched, one of them hit and killed a civilian while he was driving his vehicle in Sderot. Another Qassam hit a house in Sderot, lightly injuring a civilian.
Since yesterday evening the IDF attacked three terrorist targets used by Hamas in the Gaza Strip:
- A post near Dier Al-Balah, in the southern Gaza Strip
- A post in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A post in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip
(Shelly Paz, "Qassam Hits House as IAF Planes Attack in Deir-el-Balah," Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2007; "Israeli Killed by Qassam Rocket," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 28, 2007).
- IAF planes bomb Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip town of Deir el-Balah.
- Palestinian terrorists fire two Qassam rockets at Sderot. One of the rockets hit a home that had been damaged by a Qassam in the past.
IDF Spoksperson's Office:
Since May 15th 2007, Palestinians launched close to 250 rockets into Israel. Since yesterday 13 Qassam rockets were launched, one of them hit and killed a civilian while he was driving his vehicle in Sderot. Another Qassam hit a house in Sderot, lightly injuring a civilian.
Since yesterday evening the IDF attacked three terrorist targets used by Hamas in the Gaza Strip:
- A post near Dier Al-Balah, in the southern Gaza Strip
- A post in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A post in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip
(Shelly Paz, "Qassam Hits House as IAF Planes Attack in Deir-el-Balah," Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2007; "Israeli Killed by Qassam Rocket," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 28, 2007).
May 27, 2007:
- Shin Bet (GSS) chief Yuval Diskin on potential Gaza operation: "They will be more than ready for us...They'll be waiting for us with explosive tunnels, snipers, road bombs and anything else they can think of, just in case we decide to go in...They [terrorist groups] are limited by the difficulties in moving rocket launchers around, they can't make as many rockets as before and they have an increasing amount of casualties...It's no coincidence they're not firing at Ashkelon. They may have the technical ability, but they know that would mean things have escalated further."
- Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer: "The equation needs to be changed. We need to make it clear to the world that we have reached the end of our tolerance, and we should respond harshly...I don't mean ground invasion. I'm talking about focusing heavy fire on the launch sites. We need special unit activity based on quality intelligence. This is the only way we can change the equation, not through fortification..."
(Ronny Sofer, "'Hamas Will Be Ready For Us'," YnetNews, May 27, 2007).
- Shin Bet (GSS) chief Yuval Diskin on potential Gaza operation: "They will be more than ready for us...They'll be waiting for us with explosive tunnels, snipers, road bombs and anything else they can think of, just in case we decide to go in...They [terrorist groups] are limited by the difficulties in moving rocket launchers around, they can't make as many rockets as before and they have an increasing amount of casualties...It's no coincidence they're not firing at Ashkelon. They may have the technical ability, but they know that would mean things have escalated further."
- Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer: "The equation needs to be changed. We need to make it clear to the world that we have reached the end of our tolerance, and we should respond harshly...I don't mean ground invasion. I'm talking about focusing heavy fire on the launch sites. We need special unit activity based on quality intelligence. This is the only way we can change the equation, not through fortification..."
(Ronny Sofer, "'Hamas Will Be Ready For Us'," YnetNews, May 27, 2007).
May 27, 2007:
"Our patient in Al Qassam Brigades is very long. We are ready to withstand and continue our resistance as long it require. The Zionist state is weak to stop the firing of Qassam rockets...The Zionist aggression on Gaza, especial against Hamas is aimed to get calm for free, and that will not be. The Zionist enemy must know that it will pay the price if the Zionist aggression continue...The rockets firing is just limited message to the Zionist enemy to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people and the shelters will not protect the settlers from the rockets."
("Abu Obayda: Halting Resistance Rockets Hinged On Ending Of Aggressions," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website,, May 27, 2007).
"Our patient in Al Qassam Brigades is very long. We are ready to withstand and continue our resistance as long it require. The Zionist state is weak to stop the firing of Qassam rockets...The Zionist aggression on Gaza, especial against Hamas is aimed to get calm for free, and that will not be. The Zionist enemy must know that it will pay the price if the Zionist aggression continue...The rockets firing is just limited message to the Zionist enemy to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people and the shelters will not protect the settlers from the rockets."
("Abu Obayda: Halting Resistance Rockets Hinged On Ending Of Aggressions," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades [Hamas] Website,, May 27, 2007).
May 27, 2007:
- Oshri Oz (36) is killed in Sderot after a Qassam rocket impacts near the car he was driving in. Oshri Oz is survived by his wife Susanna, in the sixth month of pregnancy, 3-year-old daughter Danielle, mother and two sisters.
- An additional Qassam explodes near Sderot.
(Yael Branovsky, "Man Killed in Rocket Attack on Sderot," YnetNews, May 27, 2007; Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Oshri Oz (36) is killed in Sderot after a Qassam rocket impacts near the car he was driving in. Oshri Oz is survived by his wife Susanna, in the sixth month of pregnancy, 3-year-old daughter Danielle, mother and two sisters.
- An additional Qassam explodes near Sderot.
(Yael Branovsky, "Man Killed in Rocket Attack on Sderot," YnetNews, May 27, 2007; Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
May 27, 2007:
Two Qassam rockets hit Israel, one landing in Sderot (causing property damage) and the other near a kibbutz in the western Negev.
IDF Spokesperson's Office:
Since May 15th 2007, Palestinians have launched over 230 rockets into Israel. Overnight the IDF attacked three terrorist targets used by Hamas in the in the Gaza Strip:
- A post in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A position in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A position in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip
(Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, "IAF Strikes Hamas Positions in Gaza; Two Qassams Hit Israel," Ha'aretz, May 27, 2007; "Summary of events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 27, 2007).
Two Qassam rockets hit Israel, one landing in Sderot (causing property damage) and the other near a kibbutz in the western Negev.
IDF Spokesperson's Office:
Since May 15th 2007, Palestinians have launched over 230 rockets into Israel. Overnight the IDF attacked three terrorist targets used by Hamas in the in the Gaza Strip:
- A post in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A position in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A position in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip
(Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, "IAF Strikes Hamas Positions in Gaza; Two Qassams Hit Israel," Ha'aretz, May 27, 2007; "Summary of events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 27, 2007).
May 27, 2007:
"This chaotic situation is why the USSC [United States security coordinator] is focused on the legal, legitimate security forces in our attempts to reestablish law and order...The legal security forces of the Palestinian president still lack what they need to achieve...law and order...Nothing we do to strengthen the Palestinian's security capability will be targeted against Israel...The presidential guard will not become a threat to Israel."
WeaponSurvey Analysis:
"This chaotic situation is why the USSC [United States security coordinator] is focused on the legal, legitimate security forces in our attempts to reestablish law and order...The legal security forces of the Palestinian president still lack what they need to achieve...law and order...Nothing we do to strengthen the Palestinian's security capability will be targeted against Israel...The presidential guard will not become a threat to Israel."
WeaponSurvey Analysis:
- Fatah has taken an active (and public) part in terrorist activities against Israel.
- Abbas is perceived by many as a powerless figurehead who collaborates with the U.S. and Israel.
- Hamas maintains an organized military structure and is backed by Syria/Iran/Hizballah.
- Fatah lacks public support in the Gaza Strip.
- Abbas and Fatah have yet to offer a viable alternative to Palestinians in the Strip.
- Corruption and clan loyalty will contribute to Fatah's inability to maintain law and order.
- Hamas promises the (attractive) fulfillment of unrealistic nationalist and religious aspirations; whereas Fatah has engaged in sporadic (tactical) negotiations that have done little to improve the life of the average Palestinian.
May 27, 2007:
Hamas claims responsibility for launching several homemade projectiles and mortar shells at Israeli towns and military positions.
Hamas notes in a statement that they launched three homemade projectiles at the Israeli electricity station in Ashkelon, in addition to firing four mortar shells at the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip. They also launched three projectiles and other shells at Kisufim.
("Al-Qassam Brigades Shell Towns and Military Positions in Israel," Ma'an News, May 26, 2007).
Hamas claims responsibility for launching several homemade projectiles and mortar shells at Israeli towns and military positions.
Hamas notes in a statement that they launched three homemade projectiles at the Israeli electricity station in Ashkelon, in addition to firing four mortar shells at the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip. They also launched three projectiles and other shells at Kisufim.
("Al-Qassam Brigades Shell Towns and Military Positions in Israel," Ma'an News, May 26, 2007).
May 26, 2007:
Palestinian terrorists (FATAH) shoot and injured two Israelis in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Saad before being killed by security forces.
The incident occurs at around 8:30 P.M., when two Palestinians approach a member of the Border Police and a security guard who were standing at a checkpoint near the Jerusalem periphery highway, near the Sheikh Saad neighborhood southeast of the capital.
(Jonathan Lis and Avi Issacharoff, "Palestinian Gunmen Attack Security Forces in E. J'lem," Ha'aretz, May 26, 2007).
Palestinian terrorists (FATAH) shoot and injured two Israelis in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Saad before being killed by security forces.
The incident occurs at around 8:30 P.M., when two Palestinians approach a member of the Border Police and a security guard who were standing at a checkpoint near the Jerusalem periphery highway, near the Sheikh Saad neighborhood southeast of the capital.
(Jonathan Lis and Avi Issacharoff, "Palestinian Gunmen Attack Security Forces in E. J'lem," Ha'aretz, May 26, 2007).
May 26, 2007:
Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said he sees a clear connection the disengagement from the Gaza Strip and the escalating situation in southern Israel and the Second Lebanon war.
"Forty years after the Six Day War, it seems we've lost our fighting instinct. These last couple of years all we've been hearing is that we are strong enough to concede, strong enough to run away, or at least that's how it's being perceived by the other side...In order to get the other side to recognize our right to exist as an independent Jewish State, we have to come off forceful...It seems like all we're doing is fighting the losing battle of Zionism."
("Ya'alon: Disengagement Cause of Lebanon War," YnetNews, May 26, 2007).
Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said he sees a clear connection the disengagement from the Gaza Strip and the escalating situation in southern Israel and the Second Lebanon war.
"Forty years after the Six Day War, it seems we've lost our fighting instinct. These last couple of years all we've been hearing is that we are strong enough to concede, strong enough to run away, or at least that's how it's being perceived by the other side...In order to get the other side to recognize our right to exist as an independent Jewish State, we have to come off forceful...It seems like all we're doing is fighting the losing battle of Zionism."
("Ya'alon: Disengagement Cause of Lebanon War," YnetNews, May 26, 2007).
May 26, 2007:
The IAF launches four missile strikes against Hamas targets, killing at least five Hamas terrorists and wounding at least 23 others.
- The first strike hit a Hamas installation in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood, and another airstrike hits a Hamas training camp on the outskirts of Shati refugee camp.
- Minutes later, a third strike hit a Hamas installation in the southern town of Rafah.
- A fourth strike targets a Hamas training base near the southern town of Khan Yunis.
- Earlier Saturday, the IAF fires missiles at five targets throughout the Strip.
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "Since May15th 2007, Palestinians launched over 220 rockets into Israel. Overnight the IDF attacked five terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
- Three structures used by Hamas in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A Hamas post in Gaza city
- A structure used by Hamas in the Nuseirat R.C. in the central Gaza Strip
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Five killed in IAF strikes on Hamas posts in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 26, 2007; "Summary of Events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 26, 2007).
The IAF launches four missile strikes against Hamas targets, killing at least five Hamas terrorists and wounding at least 23 others.
- The first strike hit a Hamas installation in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood, and another airstrike hits a Hamas training camp on the outskirts of Shati refugee camp.
- Minutes later, a third strike hit a Hamas installation in the southern town of Rafah.
- A fourth strike targets a Hamas training base near the southern town of Khan Yunis.
- Earlier Saturday, the IAF fires missiles at five targets throughout the Strip.
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "Since May15th 2007, Palestinians launched over 220 rockets into Israel. Overnight the IDF attacked five terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
- Three structures used by Hamas in Gaza City, in the northern Gaza Strip
- A Hamas post in Gaza city
- A structure used by Hamas in the Nuseirat R.C. in the central Gaza Strip
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Five killed in IAF strikes on Hamas posts in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 26, 2007; "Summary of Events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 26, 2007).
May 25, 2007:
- Three people are lightly wounded Friday when a Qassam rocket hits a building in Sderot. 10 people are treated for shock, and the four-story apartment building suffers serious damage.
- Another Qassam hits a factory in Sderot, causing property damage but no casualties.
- Hamas claims responsibility for both attacks.
- The IAF targets a Hamas position south of Gaza City. Two missiles hit the position used by Hamas gunmen a short time after the site was struck by a salvo of four missiles.
- Two Hamas terrorists are killed in an IAF strike on a car in Gaza City, shortly after three people were lightly wounded when a Qassam rocket hit their Sderot home.
- The IDF confirms the strike, saying it targeted Hamas operatives who were on their way to fire Qassam rockets at Israel. According to the IDF, the missile strike was followed by a secondary blast, which indicates the presence of explosive material in the car.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Qassam Lightly Wounds Three in Sderot; IAF Hits Hamas Base in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 25, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Two Hamas Militants Killed in IAF Strike on Car in Gaza City," Ha'aretz, May 25, 2007).
- Three people are lightly wounded Friday when a Qassam rocket hits a building in Sderot. 10 people are treated for shock, and the four-story apartment building suffers serious damage.
- Another Qassam hits a factory in Sderot, causing property damage but no casualties.
- Hamas claims responsibility for both attacks.
- The IAF targets a Hamas position south of Gaza City. Two missiles hit the position used by Hamas gunmen a short time after the site was struck by a salvo of four missiles.
- Two Hamas terrorists are killed in an IAF strike on a car in Gaza City, shortly after three people were lightly wounded when a Qassam rocket hit their Sderot home.
- The IDF confirms the strike, saying it targeted Hamas operatives who were on their way to fire Qassam rockets at Israel. According to the IDF, the missile strike was followed by a secondary blast, which indicates the presence of explosive material in the car.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Qassam Lightly Wounds Three in Sderot; IAF Hits Hamas Base in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 25, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "Two Hamas Militants Killed in IAF Strike on Car in Gaza City," Ha'aretz, May 25, 2007).
May 25, 2007:
The LifeShield is a transportable shelter that offers protection against missiles, mortars and rockets. The shelter was manufactured by an Israeli company and financed by private donors.
Josh Adler, co-founder of Operation LifeShield: "This will certainly withstand a Qassam or even a bigger Katyusha rocket...A Qassam will bounce off this."
According to the LifeShield website, "Each Operation LifeShield shelter comes equipped with a special armored steel door/window set, exterior and interior lighting, electrical outlets, phone/cable outlets and a generator hookup preparation...[The] shelters are transportable and can be moved by heavy crane from location to location within municipal boundaries as security needs change."
("Israel Designs Mobile Bombs Shelters," Middle East Newsline, May 24, 2007).
The LifeShield is a transportable shelter that offers protection against missiles, mortars and rockets. The shelter was manufactured by an Israeli company and financed by private donors.
Josh Adler, co-founder of Operation LifeShield: "This will certainly withstand a Qassam or even a bigger Katyusha rocket...A Qassam will bounce off this."
According to the LifeShield website, "Each Operation LifeShield shelter comes equipped with a special armored steel door/window set, exterior and interior lighting, electrical outlets, phone/cable outlets and a generator hookup preparation...[The] shelters are transportable and can be moved by heavy crane from location to location within municipal boundaries as security needs change."
("Israel Designs Mobile Bombs Shelters," Middle East Newsline, May 24, 2007).
May 24-25, 2007:
- The IAF strikes close to the northern Gaza home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The IDF notes that it hit a building used by Hamas in the Shati refugee camp, and the location of Haniyeh's house was incidental.
- The IAF strikes four Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in the southern Gaza Strip.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Target Near Haniyeh's Gaza Home," Ha'aretz, May 24, 2007).
- The IAF strikes close to the northern Gaza home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The IDF notes that it hit a building used by Hamas in the Shati refugee camp, and the location of Haniyeh's house was incidental.
- The IAF strikes four Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in the southern Gaza Strip.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Target Near Haniyeh's Gaza Home," Ha'aretz, May 24, 2007).
May 24, 2007:
- The IDF attacked the following terrorist facilities during the night:
- A Hamas post in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas post in Gaza city, in the northern Gaza Strip. An Islamic Jihad weapons manufacturing facility in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in the Sha'ati R.C. in Gaza city, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A business involved in transferring funds to terror organizations.
- Since yesterday, Palestinians launched 19 Qassam rockets, 8 of them were identified were identified landing in Israel. In addition, Palestinians fired 2 mortar shells from Gaza that landed near the Erez crossing causing damage. No injuries were reported.
("IDF: Summary of Events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 24, 2007).
- The IDF attacked the following terrorist facilities during the night:
- A Hamas post in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas post in Gaza city, in the northern Gaza Strip. An Islamic Jihad weapons manufacturing facility in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in the Sha'ati R.C. in Gaza city, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A building used by the Hamas in Jabaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip.
- A business involved in transferring funds to terror organizations.
- Since yesterday, Palestinians launched 19 Qassam rockets, 8 of them were identified were identified landing in Israel. In addition, Palestinians fired 2 mortar shells from Gaza that landed near the Erez crossing causing damage. No injuries were reported.
("IDF: Summary of Events in the Gaza Strip Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 24, 2007).
May 24, 2007:
- 9 Qassam rockets are fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza impact in Israel’s western Negev region. Two rockets land near kibbutzim in the Eshkol region, while the rest impact near Sderot and the Sha’ar Hanegev region. A fire breaks out near one of the kibbutzim.
- A total of 16 rockets are fired at Israel since the early morning hours.
- A mortar fired from the northern Strip lands near the Erez crossing.
- Health Ministry officials discuss opening two new centers for the treatment of people suffering from shock as a result of Qassam attacks.
(Shmulik Hadad, "9 Qassams Hit Negev Region Thursday Evening," YnetNews, May 24, 2007).
- 9 Qassam rockets are fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza impact in Israel’s western Negev region. Two rockets land near kibbutzim in the Eshkol region, while the rest impact near Sderot and the Sha’ar Hanegev region. A fire breaks out near one of the kibbutzim.
- A total of 16 rockets are fired at Israel since the early morning hours.
- A mortar fired from the northern Strip lands near the Erez crossing.
- Health Ministry officials discuss opening two new centers for the treatment of people suffering from shock as a result of Qassam attacks.
(Shmulik Hadad, "9 Qassams Hit Negev Region Thursday Evening," YnetNews, May 24, 2007).
May 24, 2007:
Abu Al-Walid, a Fatah leader: "The Palestinian missiles are a major instrument for resistance, and they are a clean and efficient means to hit the Israeli settlements."
("Al-Aqsa Brigades' Leader Says Projectiles and Mortars Are 'A Clean and Efficient Means to Hit the Israeli Settlements'," Ma'an News, May 24, 2007).
Abu Al-Walid, a Fatah leader: "The Palestinian missiles are a major instrument for resistance, and they are a clean and efficient means to hit the Israeli settlements."
("Al-Aqsa Brigades' Leader Says Projectiles and Mortars Are 'A Clean and Efficient Means to Hit the Israeli Settlements'," Ma'an News, May 24, 2007).
May 24, 2007:
"In a joint IDF and ISA operation overnight in the region of Judea and Samaria, IDF forces arrested 33 senior members of the Hamas terror organization including a minister - and other senior members of the Palestinian authority and local authorities.
The Hamas members who were arrested were taken for questioning by security forces.
The Hamas terror organization is currently involved in enhancing the terror infrastructure in the Judea and Samaria region - based on the model used in the Gaza Strip. The organization exploits governmental institutions to encourage and support terrorist activity."
Hamas: "Our strikes against the enemy will continue, we have freed the hand of all our cells to strike the enemy everywhere in Palestine..."
("Hamas Threatens New Attacks After IDF Arrests 33 Top Hamas Officials," Ha'aretz, May 24, 2007; "33 Members of the Hamas Terror Organization Arrested," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 24, 2007).
"In a joint IDF and ISA operation overnight in the region of Judea and Samaria, IDF forces arrested 33 senior members of the Hamas terror organization including a minister - and other senior members of the Palestinian authority and local authorities.
The Hamas members who were arrested were taken for questioning by security forces.
The Hamas terror organization is currently involved in enhancing the terror infrastructure in the Judea and Samaria region - based on the model used in the Gaza Strip. The organization exploits governmental institutions to encourage and support terrorist activity."
Hamas: "Our strikes against the enemy will continue, we have freed the hand of all our cells to strike the enemy everywhere in Palestine..."
("Hamas Threatens New Attacks After IDF Arrests 33 Top Hamas Officials," Ha'aretz, May 24, 2007; "33 Members of the Hamas Terror Organization Arrested," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 24, 2007).
May 24, 2007:
Israel agrees to extensive training of members of the Presidential Guard of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in areas near Jericho, in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinian Presidential Guard is currently undergoing similar training in Egypt. The training of units can reach battalion size formations, even though during their operations in the PA the Presidential Guard is incapable of operating in similiar formations. The request for Israel to permit such extensive training was submitted via the U.S. Prior to the request, Israel agreed to the transfer of thousands of rifles and ammunition to the Guard.
WeaponSurvey Analysis:
Israel agrees to extensive training of members of the Presidential Guard of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in areas near Jericho, in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinian Presidential Guard is currently undergoing similar training in Egypt. The training of units can reach battalion size formations, even though during their operations in the PA the Presidential Guard is incapable of operating in similiar formations. The request for Israel to permit such extensive training was submitted via the U.S. Prior to the request, Israel agreed to the transfer of thousands of rifles and ammunition to the Guard.
WeaponSurvey Analysis:
- Fatah has taken an active (and public) part in terrorist activities against Israel.
- Abbas is perceived by many as a powerless figurehead who collaborates with the U.S. and Israel.
- Hamas maintains an organized military structure and is backed by Syria/Iran/Hizballah.
- Fatah lacks public support in the Gaza Strip.
- Abbas and Fatah have yet to offer a viable alternative to Palestinians in the Strip.
- Corruption and clan loyalty will contribute to Fatah's inability to maintain law and order.
- Hamas promises the (attractive) fulfillment of unrealistic nationalist and religious aspirations; whereas Fatah has engaged in sporadic (tactical) negotiations that have done little to improve the life of the average Palestinian.
May 23-24, 2007:
- The IAF targets two Hamas-affiliated bureaux de change in Gaza City, cutting off electricity to parts of the town. The IDF notes that the targeted money changers acted as a conduit for millions of dollars sent from Iran, Syria and Lebanon to arm and train Hamas terrorists.
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "Millions of dollars have been transferred each month to terror organizations in the Gaza Strip which has enabled the purchase and manufacture of weaponry and the carrying out of attacks against Israeli civilians, including Qassam launchings."
- The IAF targets a car whose passengers escaped just before the missiles landed. The IDF said it was targeting Hamas terrorists.
- An IDF soldier is lightly injured by gunfire in the northern Gaza Strip.
- Four Qassam rockets slam into the western Negev Wednesday evening, one hitting a stable in a kibbutz and killing a pregnant horse.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Two Bureaux De Change in Gaza City; IDF Soldier Hurt in Gaza," Ha'aretz , May 23, 2007; "IDF Targets Businesses Transferring Funds to Terror Organizations," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 23, 2007).
- The IAF targets two Hamas-affiliated bureaux de change in Gaza City, cutting off electricity to parts of the town. The IDF notes that the targeted money changers acted as a conduit for millions of dollars sent from Iran, Syria and Lebanon to arm and train Hamas terrorists.
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "Millions of dollars have been transferred each month to terror organizations in the Gaza Strip which has enabled the purchase and manufacture of weaponry and the carrying out of attacks against Israeli civilians, including Qassam launchings."
- The IAF targets a car whose passengers escaped just before the missiles landed. The IDF said it was targeting Hamas terrorists.
- An IDF soldier is lightly injured by gunfire in the northern Gaza Strip.
- Four Qassam rockets slam into the western Negev Wednesday evening, one hitting a stable in a kibbutz and killing a pregnant horse.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Two Bureaux De Change in Gaza City; IDF Soldier Hurt in Gaza," Ha'aretz , May 23, 2007; "IDF Targets Businesses Transferring Funds to Terror Organizations," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 23, 2007).
May 23, 2007:
"Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, has threatened that its rockets will reach the Zionist settlers in the 1948-occupied coastal city of Asqlan and areas beyond in retaliation to the intensive and relentless occupation forces troops bombarding of Palestinian homes in Gaza Strip...Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades asserted that the shelling of Sderot was only an initial reprisal to the occupation forces war crimes in Gaza Strip, underling that Asqlan and areas beyond it must brace for new round of Palestinian missile attacks."
("Abu Obayda: Areas Beyond Asqlan Must be Prepared for New Round of Qassam Rockets," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 23, 2007).
"Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, has threatened that its rockets will reach the Zionist settlers in the 1948-occupied coastal city of Asqlan and areas beyond in retaliation to the intensive and relentless occupation forces troops bombarding of Palestinian homes in Gaza Strip...Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades asserted that the shelling of Sderot was only an initial reprisal to the occupation forces war crimes in Gaza Strip, underling that Asqlan and areas beyond it must brace for new round of Palestinian missile attacks."
("Abu Obayda: Areas Beyond Asqlan Must be Prepared for New Round of Qassam Rockets," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 23, 2007).
May 23, 2007:
Abu Aber, PRC spokesperson: "Olmert and the criminal enemy's government should speed up efforts to establish a ministry for the Zionist refugees, in order to take care of those who will be deported as a result of our missiles. So, we respond to their shelling by our shelling, and we displace them as they displace us, and the one who started is the tyrant. Sderot is only the beginning..."
("An Nasser Brigades: 'Sderot is Only the Beginning'," Ma'an News, May 23, 2007).
Abu Aber, PRC spokesperson: "Olmert and the criminal enemy's government should speed up efforts to establish a ministry for the Zionist refugees, in order to take care of those who will be deported as a result of our missiles. So, we respond to their shelling by our shelling, and we displace them as they displace us, and the one who started is the tyrant. Sderot is only the beginning..."
("An Nasser Brigades: 'Sderot is Only the Beginning'," Ma'an News, May 23, 2007).
May 23, 2007:
- Continue a policy of restraint, hoping that Arab pressure and the infighting between Hamas and Fatah will lead to an eventual improvement of the security situation.
- A limited military operation in the northern Gaza Strip that would create a security zone designed to prevent the launching of Qassam rockets from the area. However, such an operation would have only a minimal impact on the overall level of Palestinian terror.
- An extensive military operation with the eventual goal of creating a strong Palestinian Authority capable of maintaining law and order.
May 23, 2007:
The system, developed by ISRAEL MILITARY INDUSTRIES (IMI) was deployed with Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps, fired at Hezbollah targets deep inside Southern Lebanon. TCS demonstrated dramatic improvement in precision, when engaging short and long range targets. TCS offers the accuracy of 40-50 meters – comparable with standard tube artillery.
IMI’s TCS is capable of engaging several targets at the same time and twice the range of tube artillery. TCS offers a highly cost effective upgrading of standard artillery rockets. It can be implemented on a wide range of artillery rockets, with various diameters. The system employs a unique trajectory correction concept developed by IMI’s Rocket Systems Division (RSD), Israel's leading rocket propulsion Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing Center. The system operates under all visibility and weather conditions. By converting the rockets from statistical weapons into precision attack systems, TCS enables the user to address individual targets with each rocket, through a rapid, flexible and efficient engagement process.
Full Press Release here.
The system, developed by ISRAEL MILITARY INDUSTRIES (IMI) was deployed with Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps, fired at Hezbollah targets deep inside Southern Lebanon. TCS demonstrated dramatic improvement in precision, when engaging short and long range targets. TCS offers the accuracy of 40-50 meters – comparable with standard tube artillery.
IMI’s TCS is capable of engaging several targets at the same time and twice the range of tube artillery. TCS offers a highly cost effective upgrading of standard artillery rockets. It can be implemented on a wide range of artillery rockets, with various diameters. The system employs a unique trajectory correction concept developed by IMI’s Rocket Systems Division (RSD), Israel's leading rocket propulsion Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing Center. The system operates under all visibility and weather conditions. By converting the rockets from statistical weapons into precision attack systems, TCS enables the user to address individual targets with each rocket, through a rapid, flexible and efficient engagement process.
Full Press Release here.
May 22-23, 2007:
- An IAF helicopter strafes a rocket launch site with machine-gun fire, wounding three.
- The IAF fires at least one air-to-ground missile at a target belonging to Hamas.
- The IAF targets a Gaza City target believed to be used by Hamas to store weapons.
- 13 Qassam rockets are fired at the western Negev on Tuesday evening.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Qassam Launch Site As Three Rockets Hit Negev," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Two Hamas Targets, Palestinians: 9 Civilians Injured," Ha'aretz, May 23, 2007).
- An IAF helicopter strafes a rocket launch site with machine-gun fire, wounding three.
- The IAF fires at least one air-to-ground missile at a target belonging to Hamas.
- The IAF targets a Gaza City target believed to be used by Hamas to store weapons.
- 13 Qassam rockets are fired at the western Negev on Tuesday evening.
(Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Qassam Launch Site As Three Rockets Hit Negev," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007; Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, and Mijal Grinberg, "IAF Strikes Two Hamas Targets, Palestinians: 9 Civilians Injured," Ha'aretz, May 23, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
- Thousands of people flee the Palestinian Nahr el-Bared refugee camp during a lull in the fighting (between the Lebanese army and Al Qaeda linked Fatah al-Islam) in the third straight day of clashes between.
- The army brings in reinforcements from other regions. Two trucks towing field artillery were seen heading toward Tripoli on the coastal highway.
- A terrorist from the Islamist Fatah al-Islam group blows himself up with an explosive belt in a building in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.
- Palestinian factions attempt to broker a cease-fire.
- The leader of Fatah al-Islam, Palestinian Shaker al-Absi, has been linked to the former head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and is accused in the 2002 assassination of a U.S. diplomat in Jordan. He moved into Nahr el-Bared last fall after being expelled from Syria.
("Thousands of Palestinians Flee Embattled Refugee Camp in northern Lebanon," Ha'aretz & News Agencies, May 22, 2007).
- Thousands of people flee the Palestinian Nahr el-Bared refugee camp during a lull in the fighting (between the Lebanese army and Al Qaeda linked Fatah al-Islam) in the third straight day of clashes between.
- The army brings in reinforcements from other regions. Two trucks towing field artillery were seen heading toward Tripoli on the coastal highway.
- A terrorist from the Islamist Fatah al-Islam group blows himself up with an explosive belt in a building in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.
- Palestinian factions attempt to broker a cease-fire.
- The leader of Fatah al-Islam, Palestinian Shaker al-Absi, has been linked to the former head of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and is accused in the 2002 assassination of a U.S. diplomat in Jordan. He moved into Nahr el-Bared last fall after being expelled from Syria.
("Thousands of Palestinians Flee Embattled Refugee Camp in northern Lebanon," Ha'aretz & News Agencies, May 22, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
"Delilah is an advanced, air-to-surface, high subsonic velocity, long range missile, capable of targeting high quality moving and re-locatable targets such as mobile air-defense systems, vessels, missile launchers and command and control elements, with high precision, from stand-off range. Delilah is equipped with a unique Electro-Optical (EO) seeker and two-way data link, enabling the operator with definitive visual verification of the target prior to terminal attack.
At this phase, the controller can confirm the target and pursue with the attack or abort and order the Delilah to loiter, re-attack or seek an alternate target. Continuous image transmission until impact enables the controller to assess the precision and effects of the attack for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA). Offering excellent precision, 'man in the loop' control and retargeting capability, Delilah is well suited for modern asymmetric warfare, where pin-point accuracy strike are employed against time critical targets requiring a high level of confidence while limiting the potential of collateral damage."
Full Press Release here.
"Delilah is an advanced, air-to-surface, high subsonic velocity, long range missile, capable of targeting high quality moving and re-locatable targets such as mobile air-defense systems, vessels, missile launchers and command and control elements, with high precision, from stand-off range. Delilah is equipped with a unique Electro-Optical (EO) seeker and two-way data link, enabling the operator with definitive visual verification of the target prior to terminal attack.
At this phase, the controller can confirm the target and pursue with the attack or abort and order the Delilah to loiter, re-attack or seek an alternate target. Continuous image transmission until impact enables the controller to assess the precision and effects of the attack for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA). Offering excellent precision, 'man in the loop' control and retargeting capability, Delilah is well suited for modern asymmetric warfare, where pin-point accuracy strike are employed against time critical targets requiring a high level of confidence while limiting the potential of collateral damage."
Full Press Release here.
May 22, 2007:
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "In a joint IDF, ISA and special Border Police force operation, forces arrested Wa'el Hammadan Abed-El Hadi Shtiwee, 29, a wanted Tanzim terror-operative.
Between 2002-2004, Wa'el Shtiwee was under arrest for his activity in the Tanzim terror organization. After his release, Shtiwee returned to terrorist activities.
Shtiwee, a senior member in the Tanzim organization in the Balata R.C. in Nablus, is suspected of being responsible for the suicide bombing attack near the village of Kedumim on March 30th 2006, in which 4 Israeli civilians were murdered.
In addition, Shtiwee, was in charge of armed terror cells in Nablus. He was also involved in shooting attacks, in planting explosive devices against IDF soldiers operating in Nablus, in the torture and interrogation of Palestinians suspected of cooperating with Israel, in weapons dealing and the recruiting of terror-operatives for terrorist activities.
The Tanzim terror infrastructure, of which Shtiwee was a part, operates in coordination with the Hizballah terrorist organization. A handgun was discovered on Shtiwee at the time of his arrest."
("Background: Senior Tanzim Terror-Operative Arrested in Nablus," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007).
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "In a joint IDF, ISA and special Border Police force operation, forces arrested Wa'el Hammadan Abed-El Hadi Shtiwee, 29, a wanted Tanzim terror-operative.
Between 2002-2004, Wa'el Shtiwee was under arrest for his activity in the Tanzim terror organization. After his release, Shtiwee returned to terrorist activities.
Shtiwee, a senior member in the Tanzim organization in the Balata R.C. in Nablus, is suspected of being responsible for the suicide bombing attack near the village of Kedumim on March 30th 2006, in which 4 Israeli civilians were murdered.
In addition, Shtiwee, was in charge of armed terror cells in Nablus. He was also involved in shooting attacks, in planting explosive devices against IDF soldiers operating in Nablus, in the torture and interrogation of Palestinians suspected of cooperating with Israel, in weapons dealing and the recruiting of terror-operatives for terrorist activities.
The Tanzim terror infrastructure, of which Shtiwee was a part, operates in coordination with the Hizballah terrorist organization. A handgun was discovered on Shtiwee at the time of his arrest."
("Background: Senior Tanzim Terror-Operative Arrested in Nablus," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
"In a joint IDF and ISA operation overnight in Bethlehem, the forces arrested 20 Islamic Jihad terror operatives, including senior members. The operatives were taken for questioning by security forces.
During recent months the Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure planned and attempted to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces, in particular in the Bethlehem area.
The Islamic Jihad terror organization continuous its attempts to carry out attacks, funded and directed by the organization's headquarters in Syria."
("Background Information: 20 Islamic Jihad Terrorists Arrested in Bethlehem Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 22, 2007).
"In a joint IDF and ISA operation overnight in Bethlehem, the forces arrested 20 Islamic Jihad terror operatives, including senior members. The operatives were taken for questioning by security forces.
During recent months the Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure planned and attempted to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces, in particular in the Bethlehem area.
The Islamic Jihad terror organization continuous its attempts to carry out attacks, funded and directed by the organization's headquarters in Syria."
("Background Information: 20 Islamic Jihad Terrorists Arrested in Bethlehem Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 22, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
"Used on all Israel Air Force (IAF) aircraft and helicopters the decoy flares are released from the aircraft during the flight, distracting potential threats (missiles) and diverting them away from the protected platform. The release of flares is performed when a threatening situation is encountered. The flares were developed at IMI, Rocket Systems Division (RSD), which acts as an Israeli Government National Research & Development (R&D) Center for flares and decoys. RSD provides the IAF with a wide range of advanced decoy flares, protecting aircrafts and helicopters from surface and air-launched heat-seeking threats."
Full Press Release here.
"Used on all Israel Air Force (IAF) aircraft and helicopters the decoy flares are released from the aircraft during the flight, distracting potential threats (missiles) and diverting them away from the protected platform. The release of flares is performed when a threatening situation is encountered. The flares were developed at IMI, Rocket Systems Division (RSD), which acts as an Israeli Government National Research & Development (R&D) Center for flares and decoys. RSD provides the IAF with a wide range of advanced decoy flares, protecting aircrafts and helicopters from surface and air-launched heat-seeking threats."
Full Press Release here.
May 22, 2007:
- The IAF launches two new air strikes against targets in central Gaza. The IDF said the air strikes were against a building housing weapons and a building that served as a base of operations for the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).
- The IAF targets two Hamas camps in northern Gaza. The terrorist organization said one of the airstrikes destroyed a building used by its Executive Force.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Israel Launches Air Strikes Against Two Targets in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007; Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, "IAF Strikes Hamas Executive Force Building in Northern Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007).
- The IAF launches two new air strikes against targets in central Gaza. The IDF said the air strikes were against a building housing weapons and a building that served as a base of operations for the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).
- The IAF targets two Hamas camps in northern Gaza. The terrorist organization said one of the airstrikes destroyed a building used by its Executive Force.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Israel Launches Air Strikes Against Two Targets in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007; Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, "IAF Strikes Hamas Executive Force Building in Northern Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
"Dr. Khalil al-Hayya stressed that the assassination will not push him retreat. During his checking to the martyrs in Shifa hospital, he demanded Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades to continue its shelling to the Zionist settlements. Fawzi Barhoum, Palestinian leaders, and PLC members consoled him. It is mentioned that Dr. Khalil has main role in stopping the internal fighting."
("The ZOF Commit An Ugly Massacre in Gaza," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 22, 2007).
"Dr. Khalil al-Hayya stressed that the assassination will not push him retreat. During his checking to the martyrs in Shifa hospital, he demanded Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades to continue its shelling to the Zionist settlements. Fawzi Barhoum, Palestinian leaders, and PLC members consoled him. It is mentioned that Dr. Khalil has main role in stopping the internal fighting."
("The ZOF Commit An Ugly Massacre in Gaza," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 22, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vows that Hamas will fight until "victory or martyrdom," as Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip kill five Palestinians, including four members of an Islamic Jihad Qassam rocket firing squad.
- Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed: "The Zionist attack will not stop rocket fire against Zionist towns...Leaders of the Zionist enemy will pay a price."
- Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida also pledges to strike at "the enemy anywhere in Palestine, whether with suicide attacks or operations against soldiers..."
- In Gaza, Palestinian women dressed in black, donning masks with the words "Al-Aqsa Brigades," which is linked to Fatah, and clutching rifles tell reporters they are ready to commit suicide bombings against any Israeli troops who entered Gaza.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Five killed, Including Four Jihad Men, in IAF Strikes Across Gaza Strip," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007).
- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vows that Hamas will fight until "victory or martyrdom," as Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip kill five Palestinians, including four members of an Islamic Jihad Qassam rocket firing squad.
- Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed: "The Zionist attack will not stop rocket fire against Zionist towns...Leaders of the Zionist enemy will pay a price."
- Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida also pledges to strike at "the enemy anywhere in Palestine, whether with suicide attacks or operations against soldiers..."
- In Gaza, Palestinian women dressed in black, donning masks with the words "Al-Aqsa Brigades," which is linked to Fatah, and clutching rifles tell reporters they are ready to commit suicide bombings against any Israeli troops who entered Gaza.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Five killed, Including Four Jihad Men, in IAF Strikes Across Gaza Strip," Ha'aretz, May 22, 2007).
May 22, 2007:
The continued Palestinian missile assault against the Israeli city of Sderot (approximately 20,000 residents) and environs has contributed to the following:
The continued Palestinian missile assault against the Israeli city of Sderot (approximately 20,000 residents) and environs has contributed to the following:
- Steady erosion of Israel deterrence (already weakened by the second Lebanon War).
- An increase in confidence amongst entities hostile to Israel, including various Palestinian terrorist groups, as well as Syria, Iran & Hizballah.
- Weakening of Israeli (citizen) morale.
- Regional instability.
May 21, 2007:
The shekel weakens against the dollar and euro against the backdrop of the security crisis in the Gaza Strip. The shekel-dollar rate edged past the NIS 4/$ level, although the shekel-dollar representative rate nevertheless ended last week lower at NIS 3.996/$. The shekel-euro representative rate closed at NIS 5.39/€. The shekel depreciated 0.32% against the dollar to NIS 4.008 and 0.51% against the euro to NIS 5.418/€.
(Michal Yoshai, "Shekel Weakens on Security Fears," Globes, May 21, 2007).
The shekel weakens against the dollar and euro against the backdrop of the security crisis in the Gaza Strip. The shekel-dollar rate edged past the NIS 4/$ level, although the shekel-dollar representative rate nevertheless ended last week lower at NIS 3.996/$. The shekel-euro representative rate closed at NIS 5.39/€. The shekel depreciated 0.32% against the dollar to NIS 4.008 and 0.51% against the euro to NIS 5.418/€.
(Michal Yoshai, "Shekel Weakens on Security Fears," Globes, May 21, 2007).
May 21, 2007:
- A 35-year-old woman is killed and another person moderately wounded Monday evening when a Qassam rocket hit a car in the western Negev town of Sderot. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees all claim responsibility for the attack.
- The IDF calls up 35 reserve medics on emergency orders to serve in Sderot, Ashkelon, and other parts of the western Negev.
- Israel Radio reports that: "Israeli forces in the area of the Gaza Strip have been instructed to raise their alertness level for fear that terror organizations may attempt to carry out kidnappings."
(Mijal Grinberg, "Two Wounded, One Seriously, in Qassam Rocket Strike in Sderot," Ha'aretz, May 21, 2007).
- A 35-year-old woman is killed and another person moderately wounded Monday evening when a Qassam rocket hit a car in the western Negev town of Sderot. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees all claim responsibility for the attack.
- The IDF calls up 35 reserve medics on emergency orders to serve in Sderot, Ashkelon, and other parts of the western Negev.
- Israel Radio reports that: "Israeli forces in the area of the Gaza Strip have been instructed to raise their alertness level for fear that terror organizations may attempt to carry out kidnappings."
(Mijal Grinberg, "Two Wounded, One Seriously, in Qassam Rocket Strike in Sderot," Ha'aretz, May 21, 2007).
May 21, 2007:
An Islamic Jihad leader warns that the "Israeli threats to conduct a major ground operation in Gaza Strip will not achieve any of the goals which the occupation claims to seek."
The leader also reveals that the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al-Quds Brigades have prepared dozens of female fighters "ready to undertake operations and to blow themselves up at Israeli troops."
("Palestinian Militant Groups Prepare Dozens of Female Suicide Bombers to Retaliate to Israeli Aggression in Gaza," Ma'an News, May 20, 2007).
An Islamic Jihad leader warns that the "Israeli threats to conduct a major ground operation in Gaza Strip will not achieve any of the goals which the occupation claims to seek."
The leader also reveals that the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Al-Quds Brigades have prepared dozens of female fighters "ready to undertake operations and to blow themselves up at Israeli troops."
("Palestinian Militant Groups Prepare Dozens of Female Suicide Bombers to Retaliate to Israeli Aggression in Gaza," Ma'an News, May 20, 2007).
May 21, 2007:
Sameh Farauna, a senior Hamas terrorist involved in numerous launchings of rockets and mortar shells into Israel, including the attack on Israel's Independence Day April 24th 2007, was targeted this evening in the IDF attack in Sajaiya.
Farauna, a 28 year old Gaza resident, was also involved in shooting attacks along the route outside the Gaza Strip security fence, including at IDF posts along the fence.
Farauna and the other members of his terror cell recently carried out shooting attacks against Israelis, including the attack on March 19th in which they fired at an Israeli electricity worker, who was moderately wounded.
* Yesterday. May 20th 2007: 14 rockets launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip landed in Israel, three of them hitting a restaurant, a car and a football field. In the past 6 days terrorists have launched approximately 150 rockets into Israel.
Overnight the IDF carried out four aerial attacks against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A truck in a weapons-production facility in Gaza city, suspected of delivering weaponry for Hamas.
- A weapons-storage facility of the Islamic Jihad in Nuserat in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas terrorist responsible for manufacturing weaponry in Gaza city.
- A weapons-production facility of the Islamic Jihad in the central Gaza Strip.
("Background: Senior Hamas Terrorist Killed in Gaza," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007; "IDF SPOKESPERSON: Summary of Events in Gaza Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007).
Sameh Farauna, a senior Hamas terrorist involved in numerous launchings of rockets and mortar shells into Israel, including the attack on Israel's Independence Day April 24th 2007, was targeted this evening in the IDF attack in Sajaiya.
Farauna, a 28 year old Gaza resident, was also involved in shooting attacks along the route outside the Gaza Strip security fence, including at IDF posts along the fence.
Farauna and the other members of his terror cell recently carried out shooting attacks against Israelis, including the attack on March 19th in which they fired at an Israeli electricity worker, who was moderately wounded.
* Yesterday. May 20th 2007: 14 rockets launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip landed in Israel, three of them hitting a restaurant, a car and a football field. In the past 6 days terrorists have launched approximately 150 rockets into Israel.
Overnight the IDF carried out four aerial attacks against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A truck in a weapons-production facility in Gaza city, suspected of delivering weaponry for Hamas.
- A weapons-storage facility of the Islamic Jihad in Nuserat in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas terrorist responsible for manufacturing weaponry in Gaza city.
- A weapons-production facility of the Islamic Jihad in the central Gaza Strip.
("Background: Senior Hamas Terrorist Killed in Gaza," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007; "IDF SPOKESPERSON: Summary of Events in Gaza Overnight," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 21, 2007).
May 21, 2007:
Hamas: "Surely the Zionist attacks won't make any break to the Qassam fire because the group had evacuated key locations likely to be targeted by the occupation forces and also Al-Qassam Brigades did not depend on the locations that the occupation forces may find."
("7 Martyrs At Least and Tens Injures During the Latest Two Days," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 20, 2007).
Hamas: "Surely the Zionist attacks won't make any break to the Qassam fire because the group had evacuated key locations likely to be targeted by the occupation forces and also Al-Qassam Brigades did not depend on the locations that the occupation forces may find."
("7 Martyrs At Least and Tens Injures During the Latest Two Days," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 20, 2007).
May 21, 2007:
- The IAF fires missiles at a terrorist cell walking down a street in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajiya, killing 8 and wounding 13. According to the IDF, the Gaza home of Halil al-Haya (HAMAS) may have been hit by shrapnel.
- The IAF targets a munitions factory in Gaza City.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "8 Dead as IAF Strikes Gaza Home of Hamas Lawmaker," Ha'aretz, May 20, 2007; Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon, "Cabinet Gives IDF Green Light to Target Hamas Politicians," Jerusalem Post, May 21, 2007; "Second Aerial Strike Targets Gaza Terrorists," IsraelNationalNews, May 21, 2007).
- The IAF fires missiles at a terrorist cell walking down a street in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajiya, killing 8 and wounding 13. According to the IDF, the Gaza home of Halil al-Haya (HAMAS) may have been hit by shrapnel.
- The IAF targets a munitions factory in Gaza City.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "8 Dead as IAF Strikes Gaza Home of Hamas Lawmaker," Ha'aretz, May 20, 2007; Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon, "Cabinet Gives IDF Green Light to Target Hamas Politicians," Jerusalem Post, May 21, 2007; "Second Aerial Strike Targets Gaza Terrorists," IsraelNationalNews, May 21, 2007).
May 20, 2007:
An Indian restaurant in Kibbutz Nir-Am is destroyed when it is hit by a Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. Firefighters battle frantically to extinguish the massive blaze but are unable to prevent it from burning to the ground.
(Rebecca Anna Stoil and Yaakov Katz, "Rocket Destroys Restaurant in Western Negev Kibbutz," Jeruslaem Post, May 20, 2007).
An Indian restaurant in Kibbutz Nir-Am is destroyed when it is hit by a Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. Firefighters battle frantically to extinguish the massive blaze but are unable to prevent it from burning to the ground.
(Rebecca Anna Stoil and Yaakov Katz, "Rocket Destroys Restaurant in Western Negev Kibbutz," Jeruslaem Post, May 20, 2007).
May 20, 2007:
Lebanese troops battle Al-Qadea linked terrorists (Fatah al-Islam) based in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. At least 48 people are killed in the fighting which spread into the nearby Sunni Muslim city of Tripoli in north Lebanon.
A cabinet minister said the fighting with Fatah al-Islam, which the government says is backed by Syria, seemed timed to try to derail UN moves to set up an international court to try those suspected of carrying out political killings in Lebanon.
A number of soldiers are killed at Nahr al-Bared just north of Tripoli, Lebanon's second largest city, and in an attack on an army patrol in al-Qalamoun to the south, a security source said. Security sources said 15 terrorists were killed in Tripoli, where the army had re-established control, and four in the camp, home to 40,000 refugees. Medical sources in the camp said six civilians, including two children, were killed and 60 wounded.
The army was blasting terrorist positions in the camp with tank, mortar and machinegun fire. More than 27 soldiers are wounded overall.
("At Least 48 Dead as Lebanese Army Battles Al-Qaida in North," Reuters, May 20, 2007).
Lebanese troops battle Al-Qadea linked terrorists (Fatah al-Islam) based in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. At least 48 people are killed in the fighting which spread into the nearby Sunni Muslim city of Tripoli in north Lebanon.
A cabinet minister said the fighting with Fatah al-Islam, which the government says is backed by Syria, seemed timed to try to derail UN moves to set up an international court to try those suspected of carrying out political killings in Lebanon.
A number of soldiers are killed at Nahr al-Bared just north of Tripoli, Lebanon's second largest city, and in an attack on an army patrol in al-Qalamoun to the south, a security source said. Security sources said 15 terrorists were killed in Tripoli, where the army had re-established control, and four in the camp, home to 40,000 refugees. Medical sources in the camp said six civilians, including two children, were killed and 60 wounded.
The army was blasting terrorist positions in the camp with tank, mortar and machinegun fire. More than 27 soldiers are wounded overall.
("At Least 48 Dead as Lebanese Army Battles Al-Qaida in North," Reuters, May 20, 2007).
May 20, 2007:
- Defense Minister Amir Peretz declares a state of emergency in Sderot. Peretz has effectively transferred civilian authority power to the IDF's Home Front Command, which can shut down factories and workplaces, and order medical clinics as well as other facilities to remain open.
- A barrage of five Qassam rockets strikes Sderot and the surrounding areas in the course of two minutes. One lands in the yard of a Sderot house. A second impacts in a busy intersection, knocking down traffic lights. Four additional rockets strike Sderot, with one landing in the city center without exploding.
- Israeli police note that 125 rockets have landed in the area - an average of over 20 a day.
(Rebecca Anna Stoil and Yaakov Katz, "State of Emergency Declared Near Gaza," Jeruslaem Post, May 20, 2007).
- Defense Minister Amir Peretz declares a state of emergency in Sderot. Peretz has effectively transferred civilian authority power to the IDF's Home Front Command, which can shut down factories and workplaces, and order medical clinics as well as other facilities to remain open.
- A barrage of five Qassam rockets strikes Sderot and the surrounding areas in the course of two minutes. One lands in the yard of a Sderot house. A second impacts in a busy intersection, knocking down traffic lights. Four additional rockets strike Sderot, with one landing in the city center without exploding.
- Israeli police note that 125 rockets have landed in the area - an average of over 20 a day.
(Rebecca Anna Stoil and Yaakov Katz, "State of Emergency Declared Near Gaza," Jeruslaem Post, May 20, 2007).
May 20, 2007:
American officials believe that strengthening Abbas loyalists and deploying them along the north of the strip and Philadelphi route in Rafah will eventually improve the security situation. A 470-strong Presidential Guard force, which had apparently trained in Egypt, returned to Gaza last Tuesday via the Rafah crossing.
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh is the primary advocate for helping to strengthen the Abbas loyalists.
"The idea is to change the balance, which so far has leaned in Hamas' favor. Well-trained [pro-Abbas] forces could help tip the balance..."
WeaponSurvey Analysis: Sneh's support of the Dayton Plan is perhaps influenced by a desire to repair a personal relationship with American officials that was damaged during the Phalcon affair (BARAK administration).
Indeed, in April 2000, Sneh noted that in the competitive international arms market, "there are no friends," and described U.S. pressure on Israel as a "steamroller." Sneh also scoffed at American concerns that the sale could upset the military balance in Asia and pose a threat to Taiwan.
(Dina Kraft, "Jiang Visits Israel; U.S. Warns Barak on Arms Deal," Associated Press, April 13, 2000; Aluf Benn, "U.S. Pressing Israel to Bolster Pro-Abbas Forces in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 20, 2007).
American officials believe that strengthening Abbas loyalists and deploying them along the north of the strip and Philadelphi route in Rafah will eventually improve the security situation. A 470-strong Presidential Guard force, which had apparently trained in Egypt, returned to Gaza last Tuesday via the Rafah crossing.
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh is the primary advocate for helping to strengthen the Abbas loyalists.
"The idea is to change the balance, which so far has leaned in Hamas' favor. Well-trained [pro-Abbas] forces could help tip the balance..."
WeaponSurvey Analysis: Sneh's support of the Dayton Plan is perhaps influenced by a desire to repair a personal relationship with American officials that was damaged during the Phalcon affair (BARAK administration).
Indeed, in April 2000, Sneh noted that in the competitive international arms market, "there are no friends," and described U.S. pressure on Israel as a "steamroller." Sneh also scoffed at American concerns that the sale could upset the military balance in Asia and pose a threat to Taiwan.
(Dina Kraft, "Jiang Visits Israel; U.S. Warns Barak on Arms Deal," Associated Press, April 13, 2000; Aluf Benn, "U.S. Pressing Israel to Bolster Pro-Abbas Forces in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 20, 2007).
May 20, 2007:
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "The firing of Qassam rockets will stop only when the IDF gains [military] control over the Gaza Strip. All other actions taken by the IDF will not signifcantly impair the ability of terrorists to launch rockets...However, entering and then quickly leaving Gaza would be a strategic error. The state of Israel does not have a choice, as it cannot allow the forced evacuation of its citizens from Sderot and other areas."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Only a Continued Presence in Gaza will Halt Qassam Launches," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 17, 2007).
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "The firing of Qassam rockets will stop only when the IDF gains [military] control over the Gaza Strip. All other actions taken by the IDF will not signifcantly impair the ability of terrorists to launch rockets...However, entering and then quickly leaving Gaza would be a strategic error. The state of Israel does not have a choice, as it cannot allow the forced evacuation of its citizens from Sderot and other areas."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Only a Continued Presence in Gaza will Halt Qassam Launches," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 17, 2007).
May 19-20, 2007:
Yesterday, May 19th 2007, 21 rockets were launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip. Over the past five days, terrorists have launched approximately 130 rockets into Israel.
Overnight the IDF attacked five terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
A Hamas cell in the city of Gaza
A Hamas vehicle carrying large amounts of weaponry, which caused an exceptionally large explosion.
Three weapons-production facilities- the first in Beit Lahiya, the second in the city of Gaza and the third in Nuserat in the central Gaza Strip.
Saturday
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched 17 rockets into Israel, lightly injuring an Israeli civilian and damaging three buildings. During the past four days, terrorists have launched approximately 110 rockets into Israel.
As of this afternoon the IDF attacked three targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A Hamas post in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas vehicle laden with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
- A second vehicle filled with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
Friday
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched 17 rockets into Israel, lightly injuring an Israeli civilian and damaging three buildings. In the past four days terrorists have launched approximately 110 rockets into Israel.
- As of this afternoon the IDF attacked three targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A Hamas post in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas vehicle laden with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
- A second vehicle filled with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
("IDF SPOX ANN: Summary of Events in Gaza Friday, 18 May, 2007," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 19, 2007; "IDF SPOX ANN: Summary of Events in Gaza Friday, 18 May, 2007," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 18, 2007).
Yesterday, May 19th 2007, 21 rockets were launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip. Over the past five days, terrorists have launched approximately 130 rockets into Israel.
Overnight the IDF attacked five terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip:
A Hamas cell in the city of Gaza
A Hamas vehicle carrying large amounts of weaponry, which caused an exceptionally large explosion.
Three weapons-production facilities- the first in Beit Lahiya, the second in the city of Gaza and the third in Nuserat in the central Gaza Strip.
Saturday
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched 17 rockets into Israel, lightly injuring an Israeli civilian and damaging three buildings. During the past four days, terrorists have launched approximately 110 rockets into Israel.
As of this afternoon the IDF attacked three targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A Hamas post in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas vehicle laden with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
- A second vehicle filled with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
Friday
Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip launched 17 rockets into Israel, lightly injuring an Israeli civilian and damaging three buildings. In the past four days terrorists have launched approximately 110 rockets into Israel.
- As of this afternoon the IDF attacked three targets in the Gaza Strip:
- A Hamas post in the central Gaza Strip.
- A Hamas vehicle laden with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
- A second vehicle filled with weaponry in the city of Gaza.
("IDF SPOX ANN: Summary of Events in Gaza Friday, 18 May, 2007," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 19, 2007; "IDF SPOX ANN: Summary of Events in Gaza Friday, 18 May, 2007," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 18, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
The IDF states that its aircraft struck a three-person squad that had just fired a rocket at a community in southern Israel.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "Palestinians: One Dead in IAF Airstrike on Rocket Crew," Ha'aretz, May 19, 2007).
The IDF states that its aircraft struck a three-person squad that had just fired a rocket at a community in southern Israel.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "Palestinians: One Dead in IAF Airstrike on Rocket Crew," Ha'aretz, May 19, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "The firing of Qassam rockets will stop only when the IDF gains [military] control over the Gaza Strip. All other actions taken by the IDF will not signifcantly impair the ability of terrorists to launch rockets...However, entering and then quickly leaving Gaza would be a strategic error. The state of Israel does not have a choice, as it cannot allow the forced evacuation of its citizens from Sderot and other areas."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Only a Continued Presence in Gaza will Halt Qassam Launches," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 17, 2007).
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "The firing of Qassam rockets will stop only when the IDF gains [military] control over the Gaza Strip. All other actions taken by the IDF will not signifcantly impair the ability of terrorists to launch rockets...However, entering and then quickly leaving Gaza would be a strategic error. The state of Israel does not have a choice, as it cannot allow the forced evacuation of its citizens from Sderot and other areas."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Only a Continued Presence in Gaza will Halt Qassam Launches," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 17, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
- Israeli DM Amir Peretz notes that the state of Israel has "failed" in protecting its citizens from the threat of rockets.
"If someone had handled the rocket issue five years ago, we would be in a completely different situation today...Someone decided that the [rocket] fire on Sderot is statistical, and there is no reason to invest in [preventing] it. The threat facing Sderot is not a statistical threat, but a strategic threat."
- Billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak announces plans for providing security for Sderot's residents, during a tour he made of the city with a contingent of private security experts. Gaydamak's plan would entail the construction of large, secure buildings for 3,500 families in the city, at an estimated cost of NIS 60 million.
(Haim Bior, Mijal Grinberg and Ayanawo Farada Sanbatu, "Peretz: Israel Failed in Protecting its Citizens From Rocket Threat," Ha'aretz, May 7, 2007).
- Israeli DM Amir Peretz notes that the state of Israel has "failed" in protecting its citizens from the threat of rockets.
"If someone had handled the rocket issue five years ago, we would be in a completely different situation today...Someone decided that the [rocket] fire on Sderot is statistical, and there is no reason to invest in [preventing] it. The threat facing Sderot is not a statistical threat, but a strategic threat."
- Billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak announces plans for providing security for Sderot's residents, during a tour he made of the city with a contingent of private security experts. Gaydamak's plan would entail the construction of large, secure buildings for 3,500 families in the city, at an estimated cost of NIS 60 million.
(Haim Bior, Mijal Grinberg and Ayanawo Farada Sanbatu, "Peretz: Israel Failed in Protecting its Citizens From Rocket Threat," Ha'aretz, May 7, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
- Hamas fires an anti-tank missile at an IDF bulldozer in the northern Gaza Strip, lightly wounding two soldiers.
- An IAF strike targets a rocket launching cell south of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "Two IDF Soldiers Lightly Wounded in Hamas Strike," Ha'aretz, May 19, 2007).
- Hamas fires an anti-tank missile at an IDF bulldozer in the northern Gaza Strip, lightly wounding two soldiers.
- An IAF strike targets a rocket launching cell south of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "Two IDF Soldiers Lightly Wounded in Hamas Strike," Ha'aretz, May 19, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
Abu Obayda: "All options [are] open including the martyrdom operations in the occupied Palestinian land in 1948...These operations are part of the responding campaign against the occupation assault on the Gaza Strip, and the continued targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians and their installations in the West Bank..."
("Abu Obayda: All Options is Open Including Martyrdom Operations," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 19, 2007).
Abu Obayda: "All options [are] open including the martyrdom operations in the occupied Palestinian land in 1948...These operations are part of the responding campaign against the occupation assault on the Gaza Strip, and the continued targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians and their installations in the West Bank..."
("Abu Obayda: All Options is Open Including Martyrdom Operations," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 19, 2007).
May 19, 2007:
- An Israel Air Force air strike targets a minivan in Gaza City, killing at least two operatives.
- The IAF targets two factories which the IDF spokesperson said were used by Hamas for the development of arms.
- IDF tanks fire five shells (after identifying a rocket launch) at an open area near a housing project in the northern Gaza town of Jabalya.
- Palestinian terrorists fire mortar shells from the southern Gaza Strip into Israel. The shells fell close to the Gaza security fence; no casualties are reported in the attack.
- An IDF unit operating in the village north east of Jenin shoots and kills an armed Palestinian terrorist.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "IAF Kills 7 Hamas Activists in Gaza; Peretz to IDF: Keep Up Pressure," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; "Air Force Targets Hamas Installations Throughout Gaza," Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2007).
- An Israel Air Force air strike targets a minivan in Gaza City, killing at least two operatives.
- The IAF targets two factories which the IDF spokesperson said were used by Hamas for the development of arms.
- IDF tanks fire five shells (after identifying a rocket launch) at an open area near a housing project in the northern Gaza town of Jabalya.
- Palestinian terrorists fire mortar shells from the southern Gaza Strip into Israel. The shells fell close to the Gaza security fence; no casualties are reported in the attack.
- An IDF unit operating in the village north east of Jenin shoots and kills an armed Palestinian terrorist.
(Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "IAF Kills 7 Hamas Activists in Gaza; Peretz to IDF: Keep Up Pressure," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; "Air Force Targets Hamas Installations Throughout Gaza," Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2007).
May 18-19, 2007:
- The southern district police commander notes that police are taking steps to prepare for a Qassam strike on the southern city of Ashkelon. Commander Uri Bar-Lev said that police have been placed on high alert in Ashkelon and have expanded their presence in the city and in communities near the Gaza Strip.
- Three Sderot residents are lightly wounded and several people treated for shock when a Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza hits a residential building in the Negev town.
- A rocket hits a Sderot gas station, lightly wounding one person.
- Two rockets impact on the Sapir College campus, and a third lands near the Sderot cemetery.
- Four more rockets are fired into the west Negev. Two land south of Ashkelon, one lands in an open area near Sderot, and the fourth lands in an open area in the She'ar Hanegev Regional Council, causing a fire.
- Qassam rockets slam into the town of Sderot Friday night.
- Three rockets impact in Sderot and the nearby Negev communities, one hitting a house. Five people are being treated for shock. One person is lightly wounded.
- At least 15 rockets hit the western Negev on Friday and three people in total are lightly wounded and many are treated for shock.
(Haim Bior and Mijal Grinberg, "Police Preparing for Possible Qassam Strike on Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Barrage Continues: 16 Qassams Hit Western Negev," YnetNews, May 18, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "House Directly hit in Renewed Attacks," Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2007).
- The southern district police commander notes that police are taking steps to prepare for a Qassam strike on the southern city of Ashkelon. Commander Uri Bar-Lev said that police have been placed on high alert in Ashkelon and have expanded their presence in the city and in communities near the Gaza Strip.
- Three Sderot residents are lightly wounded and several people treated for shock when a Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza hits a residential building in the Negev town.
- A rocket hits a Sderot gas station, lightly wounding one person.
- Two rockets impact on the Sapir College campus, and a third lands near the Sderot cemetery.
- Four more rockets are fired into the west Negev. Two land south of Ashkelon, one lands in an open area near Sderot, and the fourth lands in an open area in the She'ar Hanegev Regional Council, causing a fire.
- Qassam rockets slam into the town of Sderot Friday night.
- Three rockets impact in Sderot and the nearby Negev communities, one hitting a house. Five people are being treated for shock. One person is lightly wounded.
- At least 15 rockets hit the western Negev on Friday and three people in total are lightly wounded and many are treated for shock.
(Haim Bior and Mijal Grinberg, "Police Preparing for Possible Qassam Strike on Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Barrage Continues: 16 Qassams Hit Western Negev," YnetNews, May 18, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "House Directly hit in Renewed Attacks," Jerusalem Post, May 19, 2007).
May 18, 2007:
- The IAF targets a building (east of Gaza City) utilized by Hamas. The structure may have also concealed a tunnel used for smuggling weapons and contraband into Israel.
- The IAF targets a Hamas Executive Force building between the towns of Khan Yunis and Dir el-Balah.
(Amos Harel and Aluf Benn, "IAF Attacks Hamas Target Outside of Gaza City," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "IAF kills 7 Hamas Activists in Gaza; Peretz to IDF: Keep Up Pressure," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007).
- The IAF targets a building (east of Gaza City) utilized by Hamas. The structure may have also concealed a tunnel used for smuggling weapons and contraband into Israel.
- The IAF targets a Hamas Executive Force building between the towns of Khan Yunis and Dir el-Balah.
(Amos Harel and Aluf Benn, "IAF Attacks Hamas Target Outside of Gaza City," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007; Avi Issacharoff, Amos Harel, and Barak Ravid, "IAF kills 7 Hamas Activists in Gaza; Peretz to IDF: Keep Up Pressure," Ha'aretz, May 18, 2007).
May 18, 2007:
"Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades has announced that its fighters in the Gaza Strip on past three days were fired 33 homemade missiles and 24 mortars at the nearby Zionist settlements. Also some house in the settlement damaged severely...Al Qassam issued a statement in which it said that the attack was to mark to 59th anniversary of the Nakba and serves as a clear message to the Zionist occupation government that Hamas’ battle will remain against occupation, and not against the Palestinian people despite the impediments which Zionist’s agents in the Palestinian arena try to put before Hamas."
("Al Qassam Brigades Fires 33 Homemade Missiles at the Zionist Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 17, 2007).
"Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigades has announced that its fighters in the Gaza Strip on past three days were fired 33 homemade missiles and 24 mortars at the nearby Zionist settlements. Also some house in the settlement damaged severely...Al Qassam issued a statement in which it said that the attack was to mark to 59th anniversary of the Nakba and serves as a clear message to the Zionist occupation government that Hamas’ battle will remain against occupation, and not against the Palestinian people despite the impediments which Zionist’s agents in the Palestinian arena try to put before Hamas."
("Al Qassam Brigades Fires 33 Homemade Missiles at the Zionist Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 17, 2007).
May 18, 2007:
"PCHR reiterates its condemnation for these bloody clashes, and:
"PCHR reiterates its condemnation for these bloody clashes, and:
- Calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the President and the government, to immediately take effective measures to restore security and stability in the Gaza Strip, and protect civilians from the dangers posed on them by such bloody and shameful conflict.
- Calls for conducting effective investigations into such clashes and bring those involved in them, whatever their affiliations area, to justice.
- Calls for the demilitarization of streets, intersections and populated areas, including the withdrawal of security services and militias, whose continuous presence poses threats to the lives of innocent civilians.
- Calls upon all political factions and civil society groups to act to stop such shameful conflict over authority, whose price is paid by every Palestinian and the whole Palestinian cause.
- Reminds that these clashes coincides with the 59th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their homeland); instead of using this occasion to intensify efforts to end the Israeli occupation and realize the Palestinian legitimate rights, the two main political powers in the Palestinian arena are engaged in regrettable fighting, which in fact a form of self-destruction."
May 18, 2007:
"Increasingly, there are signs that al-Qaeda is gaining strength in the Gaza Strip. In the midst of the decaying internal situation in Gaza, with its regular gun battles between the well-established Hamas and Fatah militias, there are more incidents reported of attacks against symbols of any Western presence from a UNRWA school to a Christian bookstore.
Al-Qaeda generally thrives wherever central authority of governments is collapsing and therefore its current success in the war-torn Gaza Strip should not come as a surprise. Seeming to copy the operations of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the militants in Gaza belonging to these new terrorist organizations are targeting Western reporters, like the famous cases in which journalists from FOX News and the BBC were taken hostage.
Even external appearances show al-Qaeda's growing influence as members of its affiliate movements in the Gaza Strip will often wear the same black head covering that was a trademark of the late al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. All the evidence indicates that rather than challenge al-Qaeda's bid to expand its presence in the Gaza Strip, Hamas prefers to collaborate with these new militant groups."
(IDF Lt. Col. [res.] Jonathan D. Halevi, "The Growing Hamas-Al Qaeda Connection," JCPA Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol 1, No 7, May 17, 2007).
"Increasingly, there are signs that al-Qaeda is gaining strength in the Gaza Strip. In the midst of the decaying internal situation in Gaza, with its regular gun battles between the well-established Hamas and Fatah militias, there are more incidents reported of attacks against symbols of any Western presence from a UNRWA school to a Christian bookstore.
Al-Qaeda generally thrives wherever central authority of governments is collapsing and therefore its current success in the war-torn Gaza Strip should not come as a surprise. Seeming to copy the operations of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the militants in Gaza belonging to these new terrorist organizations are targeting Western reporters, like the famous cases in which journalists from FOX News and the BBC were taken hostage.
Even external appearances show al-Qaeda's growing influence as members of its affiliate movements in the Gaza Strip will often wear the same black head covering that was a trademark of the late al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. All the evidence indicates that rather than challenge al-Qaeda's bid to expand its presence in the Gaza Strip, Hamas prefers to collaborate with these new militant groups."
(IDF Lt. Col. [res.] Jonathan D. Halevi, "The Growing Hamas-Al Qaeda Connection," JCPA Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol 1, No 7, May 17, 2007).
May 18, 2007:
* A Qassam rocket hits a synagogue in Sderot. A number of people suffer from shock.
The attack took place shortly after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited Sderot and heard the Color Red alert system. He was escorted by his bodyguards to one of the houses in the city and later visited the home of Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
* Angry Sderot residents burst into the office of Mayor Eli Moyal and demand to be evacuated from the city. They wanted to join about 800 others, whom the city had evacuated to a hotel in the center of the country for three nights.
(Yael Branovsky, "Qassam Hits Sderot Synagogue After Olmert Visit," YnetNews, May 18, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "Kassam Strikes Sderot Synagogue," Jerusalem Post, May 18, 2007).
* A Qassam rocket hits a synagogue in Sderot. A number of people suffer from shock.
The attack took place shortly after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited Sderot and heard the Color Red alert system. He was escorted by his bodyguards to one of the houses in the city and later visited the home of Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
* Angry Sderot residents burst into the office of Mayor Eli Moyal and demand to be evacuated from the city. They wanted to join about 800 others, whom the city had evacuated to a hotel in the center of the country for three nights.
(Yael Branovsky, "Qassam Hits Sderot Synagogue After Olmert Visit," YnetNews, May 18, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "Kassam Strikes Sderot Synagogue," Jerusalem Post, May 18, 2007).
May 17-18, 2007:
* IDF infantry troops and tanks advance several hundred meters into the Gaza Strip at two points, following four IAF attacks on Gaza.
* The IDF takes up positions in the Gaza Strip west of Sderot, as well as at the ruins of former Israeli community Nisanit and Elei Sinai. However, the IDF notes that it is not preparing for an extensive operation in the Strip.
* The IDF begins deploying large numbers of artillery and armored personnel carriers around the Gaza Strip.
* Palestinian sources claim the IDF has electronically taken over the frequencies of several Gaza radio stations, using them to call on civilians to flee areas from where rockets were launched.
(Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IDF Troops, Tanks Enter Gaza; 7 Dead, Including 4 Hamas Men, in IAF Strikes," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007; Yaakov Katz, "Tanks Roll into Northern Gaza as IAF Air Strikes Escalate," Jerusalem Post, May 18, 2007).
* IDF infantry troops and tanks advance several hundred meters into the Gaza Strip at two points, following four IAF attacks on Gaza.
* The IDF takes up positions in the Gaza Strip west of Sderot, as well as at the ruins of former Israeli community Nisanit and Elei Sinai. However, the IDF notes that it is not preparing for an extensive operation in the Strip.
* The IDF begins deploying large numbers of artillery and armored personnel carriers around the Gaza Strip.
* Palestinian sources claim the IDF has electronically taken over the frequencies of several Gaza radio stations, using them to call on civilians to flee areas from where rockets were launched.
(Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IDF Troops, Tanks Enter Gaza; 7 Dead, Including 4 Hamas Men, in IAF Strikes," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007; Yaakov Katz, "Tanks Roll into Northern Gaza as IAF Air Strikes Escalate," Jerusalem Post, May 18, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
- The IAF targets a Hamas Executive Force compound in Gaza City.
- Hamas threatens to resume suicide bombings in Israel.
- At least 13 Qassam rockets impact in the western Negev - one of which slams into a high school, lightly wounding two people.
- IDF tanks cross into the northern Gaza Strip, taking up "defensive positions."
- The IAF fires missiles at a Hamas vehicle in Gaza City, killing two terrorists.
- The IAF targets a Hamas position in Gaza city, killing at least one terrorist.
- The IAF fires a missile at a vehicle in southern Gaza carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists.
- The IAF targets the house of a Qassam rocket producer.
- Over 30 rockets are fired at various Israeli targets.
- Five Qassam rockets impact in Sderot and in southern Ashkelon (near a staretgic facility).
(Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IDF Troops, Tanks Enter Gaza; 7 Dead, Including 4 Hamas Men, in IAF Strikes," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Qassam Rockets Hit Sderot, Ashkelon," YnetNews, May 17, 2007).
- The IAF targets a Hamas Executive Force compound in Gaza City.
- Hamas threatens to resume suicide bombings in Israel.
- At least 13 Qassam rockets impact in the western Negev - one of which slams into a high school, lightly wounding two people.
- IDF tanks cross into the northern Gaza Strip, taking up "defensive positions."
- The IAF fires missiles at a Hamas vehicle in Gaza City, killing two terrorists.
- The IAF targets a Hamas position in Gaza city, killing at least one terrorist.
- The IAF fires a missile at a vehicle in southern Gaza carrying Islamic Jihad terrorists.
- The IAF targets the house of a Qassam rocket producer.
- Over 30 rockets are fired at various Israeli targets.
- Five Qassam rockets impact in Sderot and in southern Ashkelon (near a staretgic facility).
(Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Mijal Grinberg, "IDF Troops, Tanks Enter Gaza; 7 Dead, Including 4 Hamas Men, in IAF Strikes," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Qassam Rockets Hit Sderot, Ashkelon," YnetNews, May 17, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
"33 Qassam rockets and 24 mortars. The shelling operations against the Zionist settlements have some results as:
"33 Qassam rockets and 24 mortars. The shelling operations against the Zionist settlements have some results as:
- The Zionist enemy declared the State of emergency and the permanent alert in 'Sedrot.'
- The Zionists closed schools and institutions in 'Sedrot', and residents stayed in the shelters.
- More than 10 injuries between the settlers in 'Sedrot.'
- Heavy material damages and fires at several facilities within Sedrot settlement and others."
May 17, 2007:
One Hamas operative is kidnapped and executed by Fatah security forces. Another Hamas operative is gunned down at a funeral procession.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Two Hamas Men Killed in Gaza Despite New Hamas-Fatah Truce," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007).
One Hamas operative is kidnapped and executed by Fatah security forces. Another Hamas operative is gunned down at a funeral procession.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Two Hamas Men Killed in Gaza Despite New Hamas-Fatah Truce," Ha'aretz, May 17, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
Israeli defense officials warn that the city of Ashkelon (110,000 residents and a number of strategic facilities) could be the next target of Palestinian rocket attacks.
Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza have stockpiled Soviet-manufactured Grad rockets with an approximate range of 22 kilometers.
(Ronny Sofer, "Next Target May be Ashkelon, Defense Officials Warn," YnetNews, May 17, 2007).
Israeli defense officials warn that the city of Ashkelon (110,000 residents and a number of strategic facilities) could be the next target of Palestinian rocket attacks.
Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza have stockpiled Soviet-manufactured Grad rockets with an approximate range of 22 kilometers.
(Ronny Sofer, "Next Target May be Ashkelon, Defense Officials Warn," YnetNews, May 17, 2007).
May 17, 2007 (Repost):
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "What Israel is doing today in the Gaza Strip is not containment...but rather a case of ignoring reality completely. It is an extremely costly policy. Few have any idea what price Israel will have to pay if it moves into Gaza in two or three years, when Hamas feels strengthened and has the capability to launch 122mm Katyusha rockets -which Hizbullah possessed in the thousands - as far as Ashdod and Kiryat Gat. Israeli decision-makers will have to take into account that inaction has a price, as well.
It is now clear that the only way to thwart rocket attacks is by controlling the situation on the ground. Qassam rockets are today landing in Sderot and Ashkelon - and not in Kfar Saba - because Israel does not control the situation on the ground in Gaza, whereas it has control of the ground around Qalqilya."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Strategic Lessons of the Winograd Commission Report," JCPA: Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 6, No. 29, May 7, 2007).
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror: "What Israel is doing today in the Gaza Strip is not containment...but rather a case of ignoring reality completely. It is an extremely costly policy. Few have any idea what price Israel will have to pay if it moves into Gaza in two or three years, when Hamas feels strengthened and has the capability to launch 122mm Katyusha rockets -which Hizbullah possessed in the thousands - as far as Ashdod and Kiryat Gat. Israeli decision-makers will have to take into account that inaction has a price, as well.
It is now clear that the only way to thwart rocket attacks is by controlling the situation on the ground. Qassam rockets are today landing in Sderot and Ashkelon - and not in Kfar Saba - because Israel does not control the situation on the ground in Gaza, whereas it has control of the ground around Qalqilya."
(Maj. Gen. [res.] Yaakov Amidror, "Strategic Lessons of the Winograd Commission Report," JCPA: Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 6, No. 29, May 7, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
The Sderot Municipality prepares to temporarily evacuate 4,000 residents after Palestinians fire approximately 50 rockets into the area around the Gaza border within 24 hours.
(Tova Lazaroff, "Sderot: Kassam Hits Apartment Building," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2007).
The Sderot Municipality prepares to temporarily evacuate 4,000 residents after Palestinians fire approximately 50 rockets into the area around the Gaza border within 24 hours.
(Tova Lazaroff, "Sderot: Kassam Hits Apartment Building," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
Moussa Abu Marzouk: "The international community and Arab countries shoulder part of the responsibility for the current events due to their attitudes toward the national unity government...The continued financial and political siege has pushed matters to this simmering tension...The Israelis are behind all these events...It's illogical that the Arabs stand idle watching the Palestinian arena while it's on the verge of explosion under the siege...This is a constant pressure that has led to a real explosion."
("Hamas Blames World, Israel and Arabs," Associated Press, May 16, 2007).
Moussa Abu Marzouk: "The international community and Arab countries shoulder part of the responsibility for the current events due to their attitudes toward the national unity government...The continued financial and political siege has pushed matters to this simmering tension...The Israelis are behind all these events...It's illogical that the Arabs stand idle watching the Palestinian arena while it's on the verge of explosion under the siege...This is a constant pressure that has led to a real explosion."
("Hamas Blames World, Israel and Arabs," Associated Press, May 16, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
- Two Qassam rockets launched from northern Gaza hit a high-voltage power line in the western Negev, causing an extensive power outage.
- The IDF confirms an IAF strike against a car in the Sejaeeyeh neighborhood (northern Gaza). The car was transporting a Hamas rocket cell.
- A Qassam rocket reportedly hits a four-story apartment building in Sderot, causing several people to suffer from shock.
("Rockets Hit Western Negev, Cause Power Outage," IsraelNationalNews, May 17, 2007; "Gaza: IAF Plane Hits Car, Killing One," IsraelNationalNews, May 17, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "Sderot: Kassam Hits Apartment Building," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2007).
- Two Qassam rockets launched from northern Gaza hit a high-voltage power line in the western Negev, causing an extensive power outage.
- The IDF confirms an IAF strike against a car in the Sejaeeyeh neighborhood (northern Gaza). The car was transporting a Hamas rocket cell.
- A Qassam rocket reportedly hits a four-story apartment building in Sderot, causing several people to suffer from shock.
("Rockets Hit Western Negev, Cause Power Outage," IsraelNationalNews, May 17, 2007; "Gaza: IAF Plane Hits Car, Killing One," IsraelNationalNews, May 17, 2007; Tova Lazaroff, "Sderot: Kassam Hits Apartment Building," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2007).
May 17, 2007:
- Disarming terrorist groups
- Restoring law and order
- Encouraging the establishment of a stable Palestinian Authority
May 16, 2007:
The IAF fires missiles into a Hamas operations headquarters in Rafah (southern Gaza), killing four Hamas terrorists and injuring 20.
An IDF source: "Hamas must know that there is a price to be paid for launching rockets at Sderot and the surrounding area..."
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "In reaction to continuous attacks perpetrated by terrorist organizations, targeting Israel, the IAF attacked the security headquarters of the Hamas terror organization earlier today. This took place in close proximity to Rafah. Recently, many qassam rockets have been launched from the Gaza strip into Israeli territory. In the past 24 hours, over 20 of these rockets have been launched into Israel. Among targets they have hit are a school, a gas station, and recreation centers in the Northern Negev."
(Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "IAF Hits Hamas Gaza HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007; Hanan Greenberg, "Gaza: 4 Killed in IDF Strike," YnetNews, May 16, 2007; "IAF Attacks Hamas Headquarters in Rafah," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 16, 2007).
The IAF fires missiles into a Hamas operations headquarters in Rafah (southern Gaza), killing four Hamas terrorists and injuring 20.
An IDF source: "Hamas must know that there is a price to be paid for launching rockets at Sderot and the surrounding area..."
IDF Spokesperson's Office: "In reaction to continuous attacks perpetrated by terrorist organizations, targeting Israel, the IAF attacked the security headquarters of the Hamas terror organization earlier today. This took place in close proximity to Rafah. Recently, many qassam rockets have been launched from the Gaza strip into Israeli territory. In the past 24 hours, over 20 of these rockets have been launched into Israel. Among targets they have hit are a school, a gas station, and recreation centers in the Northern Negev."
(Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "IAF Hits Hamas Gaza HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007; Hanan Greenberg, "Gaza: 4 Killed in IDF Strike," YnetNews, May 16, 2007; "IAF Attacks Hamas Headquarters in Rafah," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 16, 2007).
May 16, 2007:
- A Qassam rocket strikes a home next to the Sderot residence of DM Amir Peretz.
- Ten Qassam rockets are fired at the Negev.
- One lands near a kibbutz in the Ashkelon Coast regional council.
- Two others impact north of Sderot.
- Two people are wounded (one seriously) when a Qassam rocket hits a Sderot home.
- Over 30 Qassam rockets have been fired since Tuesday.
- Wednesday: At least 13 rockets are fired at the Sderot area.
- The IAF fires missiles at a car carrying Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza. The IDF confirms the airstrike, noting that it targeted a Palestinian rocket cell.
(Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "IAF Hits Hamas Gaza HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007; Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Two Wounded by Qassams in Sderot; IAF Hits Hamas' Rafah HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2006).
- A Qassam rocket strikes a home next to the Sderot residence of DM Amir Peretz.
- Ten Qassam rockets are fired at the Negev.
- One lands near a kibbutz in the Ashkelon Coast regional council.
- Two others impact north of Sderot.
- Two people are wounded (one seriously) when a Qassam rocket hits a Sderot home.
- Over 30 Qassam rockets have been fired since Tuesday.
- Wednesday: At least 13 rockets are fired at the Sderot area.
- The IAF fires missiles at a car carrying Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza. The IDF confirms the airstrike, noting that it targeted a Palestinian rocket cell.
(Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "IAF Hits Hamas Gaza HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007; Aluf Benn, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Two Wounded by Qassams in Sderot; IAF Hits Hamas' Rafah HQ," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2006).
May 16, 2007:
Hamas gunmen kill four Palestinian guards while storming the home of Fatah's top security chief in Gaza.
The fighting at the home of Rashid Abu Shbak occured shortly after mortars impacted near the office of Abbas and a Hamas police position outside the Interior Ministry (Gaza) came under attack.
(Nidal al-Mughrabi, "4 Fatah Guards Dead in Fresh Gaza Gunbattles," Reuters, May 16, 2007).
Hamas gunmen kill four Palestinian guards while storming the home of Fatah's top security chief in Gaza.
The fighting at the home of Rashid Abu Shbak occured shortly after mortars impacted near the office of Abbas and a Hamas police position outside the Interior Ministry (Gaza) came under attack.
(Nidal al-Mughrabi, "4 Fatah Guards Dead in Fresh Gaza Gunbattles," Reuters, May 16, 2007).
May 16, 2007:
Gunmen shoot and wound a top Egyptian official (monitor) in Gaza. The Egyptian was shot in the hand as he walked along a Gaza street with PA cabinet secretary Ghazi Hamad of Hamas and a Fatah official.
The official was part of a team involved in mediating a moribund truce to put an end to internal clashes.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Gunmen Wound Senior Egyptian Official in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007).
Gunmen shoot and wound a top Egyptian official (monitor) in Gaza. The Egyptian was shot in the hand as he walked along a Gaza street with PA cabinet secretary Ghazi Hamad of Hamas and a Fatah official.
The official was part of a team involved in mediating a moribund truce to put an end to internal clashes.
(Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, "Gunmen Wound Senior Egyptian Official in Gaza," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2007).
May 16, 2007:
- A mortar impacts in the Nirim area
- A Qassam rocket slams into a Sderot movie theater
- A Qassam rocket impacts in the Sderot marketplace
May 16, 2007:
Hamas: "These [rocket launching] operations are part of the 'Faithfulness of the Free' campaign against the occupation assault on the Gaza Strip, and the continued targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians and their installations in the West Bank...Our battle will remain against the occupation and its soldiers as no external or internal attempt to deviate us from this direction would succeed..."
("5 Qassam Rockets Were Fired at "Olomem" and 'Kfar Said' Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007; "Hamas: Resistance Will Remain Our Option Despite External and Internal Threats," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007).
Hamas: "These [rocket launching] operations are part of the 'Faithfulness of the Free' campaign against the occupation assault on the Gaza Strip, and the continued targeting of innocent Palestinian civilians and their installations in the West Bank...Our battle will remain against the occupation and its soldiers as no external or internal attempt to deviate us from this direction would succeed..."
("5 Qassam Rockets Were Fired at "Olomem" and 'Kfar Said' Settlements," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007; "Hamas: Resistance Will Remain Our Option Despite External and Internal Threats," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007).
May 16, 2007:
Four days of Palestinian clashes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 41 people.
Hamas gunmen kill five of their own combatants in an ambush on a Fatah vehicle carrying Hamas detainees. Two members of the Fatah-affiliated Preventive Security force that had been guarding the detained Hamas members are also killed.
Four days of Palestinian clashes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 41 people.
Hamas gunmen kill five of their own combatants in an ambush on a Fatah vehicle carrying Hamas detainees. Two members of the Fatah-affiliated Preventive Security force that had been guarding the detained Hamas members are also killed.
- A nurse traveling in an ambulance is shot in the head and killed after being caught in the crossfire
- Hamas gunmen fire mortars and pipe bombs at the home of Fatah security chief Rashid Abu Shbak before storming inside
- Six Fatah bodyguards are then lined up against the wall and shot dead
May 15, 2007:
- A projectile is fired at Kfar Aza
- Three projectiles are fired at Kibbutz Nahal Oz
- A Qassam rocket is fired at Kibbutz Gavim
- A Qassam rocket is fired at Kibbutz Or Haner
- A projectile impacts between Kibbutz Or Haner and Gavim
- Three projectiles impact between Karni and Nahal Oz
- A projectile impacts south of Kibbutz Alumim
- A projectile impacts south of Bari
- A small IED is detonated in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem
- Israeli Border Police in Hebron apprehend a Palestinian armed with a 7cm knife
May 15, 2007 (Repost):
IDF Lt. Col. (res.) Jonathan D. Halevi: "The security strategy that relied on the Palestinian Authority as builders of security and peace for Israel failed during the Oslo (Interim) Accords. Any future plan based on this paradigm would suffer the same fate, especially with Hamas having gained control of the PA. Simply discussing such a proposal broadcasts weakness, as the Palestinians understand that Israel is ready to accept a promise to halt rocket attacks in exchange for waiving security measures.
"Security...can be achieved by relying on the IDF to counter terrorist cells and related infrastructure."
(IDF Lt. Col. [res.] Jonathan D. Halevi, "Security Agreement with the Palestinian Authority: A Broken Reed," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 8, 2007).
IDF Lt. Col. (res.) Jonathan D. Halevi: "The security strategy that relied on the Palestinian Authority as builders of security and peace for Israel failed during the Oslo (Interim) Accords. Any future plan based on this paradigm would suffer the same fate, especially with Hamas having gained control of the PA. Simply discussing such a proposal broadcasts weakness, as the Palestinians understand that Israel is ready to accept a promise to halt rocket attacks in exchange for waiving security measures.
"Security...can be achieved by relying on the IDF to counter terrorist cells and related infrastructure."
(IDF Lt. Col. [res.] Jonathan D. Halevi, "Security Agreement with the Palestinian Authority: A Broken Reed," JCPA Strategic Blog [Translated from Hebrew], May 8, 2007).
May 15, 2007:
Five people, including four children, are wounded in a barrage of Qassam rockets against Sderot. A woman is seriously injured and her four children lightly to moderately wounded after one of the first rockets hit her home.
* Two rockets score direct hits on separate private residences.
* Another strikes a school building in the city.
* One rocket damages several stores in the city center. Another hits a low-voltage powerline, causing a temporary blackout.
Hamas claims responsibility for the barrage.
* Sappers who arrive at the crash site(s) note that the rockets were more accurate than their predecessors and contained additional explosives. Shrapnel damaged property several dozen meters from the impact site.
Avigdor Lieberman, Strategic Affairs Minister: "It's the most basic duty of any government to defend its citizens. Therefore the time has come to stop talking and start acting. There must be a heavy price to pay when Israeli citizens are wounded. I expect there to be an immediate decision regarding a harsher response..."
* IAF aircraft fire at rocket launching sites in northern Gaza.
("Kassam Barrage Hits Sderot; Woman Seriously Wounded," Jerusalem Post, May 15, 2007; Rony Sofer, "IDF May Respond Harshly," YnetNews, May 15, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Mother, Son Wounded by Qassam in Sderot," YnetNews, May 15, 2007; YeshaNews [Translated from Hebrew], May 15, 2007).
Five people, including four children, are wounded in a barrage of Qassam rockets against Sderot. A woman is seriously injured and her four children lightly to moderately wounded after one of the first rockets hit her home.
* Two rockets score direct hits on separate private residences.
* Another strikes a school building in the city.
* One rocket damages several stores in the city center. Another hits a low-voltage powerline, causing a temporary blackout.
Hamas claims responsibility for the barrage.
* Sappers who arrive at the crash site(s) note that the rockets were more accurate than their predecessors and contained additional explosives. Shrapnel damaged property several dozen meters from the impact site.
Avigdor Lieberman, Strategic Affairs Minister: "It's the most basic duty of any government to defend its citizens. Therefore the time has come to stop talking and start acting. There must be a heavy price to pay when Israeli citizens are wounded. I expect there to be an immediate decision regarding a harsher response..."
* IAF aircraft fire at rocket launching sites in northern Gaza.
("Kassam Barrage Hits Sderot; Woman Seriously Wounded," Jerusalem Post, May 15, 2007; Rony Sofer, "IDF May Respond Harshly," YnetNews, May 15, 2007; Shmulik Hadad, "Mother, Son Wounded by Qassam in Sderot," YnetNews, May 15, 2007; YeshaNews [Translated from Hebrew], May 15, 2007).
May 15, 2007:
8 Fatah Presidential Guards are killed by Hamas operatives near the Karni Crossing (Gaza Strip).
The attack began when Hamas operatives fired a missile at a jeep carrying Fatah personnel. After the jeep overturned, the Hamas men fired at those inside, killing seven of them.
Ma'an News: "Since the morning hours, there have been violent clashes at the Karni Crossing between armed gunmen affiliated to Hamas, and the presidential guards and the national security forces, which are affiliated to Fatah. Machine guns and different kinds of shells have been used...Security sources stated that the checkpoints are still spread in most of the streets of Gaza City, while gunmen are stationed on the roofs of the buildings...The death toll of the bloody clashes in the Gaza Strip reached [at least 15] on Tuesday after another member of the Palestinian preventive security service was killed in armed clashes in Gaza City."
(Amos Harel, "Hamas Kills 8 Fatah Men, IDF Kills 1 Who Fled Scene," Ha'aretz, May 15, 2007; "New Agreement Between Factions Fails to End Fierce Clashes in Gaza; 12 Killed Today," Ma'an News, May 15, 2007).
8 Fatah Presidential Guards are killed by Hamas operatives near the Karni Crossing (Gaza Strip).
The attack began when Hamas operatives fired a missile at a jeep carrying Fatah personnel. After the jeep overturned, the Hamas men fired at those inside, killing seven of them.
Ma'an News: "Since the morning hours, there have been violent clashes at the Karni Crossing between armed gunmen affiliated to Hamas, and the presidential guards and the national security forces, which are affiliated to Fatah. Machine guns and different kinds of shells have been used...Security sources stated that the checkpoints are still spread in most of the streets of Gaza City, while gunmen are stationed on the roofs of the buildings...The death toll of the bloody clashes in the Gaza Strip reached [at least 15] on Tuesday after another member of the Palestinian preventive security service was killed in armed clashes in Gaza City."
(Amos Harel, "Hamas Kills 8 Fatah Men, IDF Kills 1 Who Fled Scene," Ha'aretz, May 15, 2007; "New Agreement Between Factions Fails to End Fierce Clashes in Gaza; 12 Killed Today," Ma'an News, May 15, 2007).
May 15, 2007:
"Despite the agreement between Hamas and Fatah with the presence of the Prime Minister. The traitors still playing in the Palestinian arena and targeting Al Qassam members to satisfy the Zionists. The crimes committed with an American weapons, vehicles and equipment dedicated to this matter. Yesterday, they assassinated the citizens under the charge of belonging to Hamas. They defiled the mosques and distributing barriers. Today, they continued their work instead of the Zionist occupation in assassinating the wanted Qassam leaders. Al-Qassam Brigades mourns the death of the Qassam commander Ibrahim Salman Munia (Ghanim)."
("Ibrahim Munia was Martyred by Traitors in the Presidential Guard," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007).
"Despite the agreement between Hamas and Fatah with the presence of the Prime Minister. The traitors still playing in the Palestinian arena and targeting Al Qassam members to satisfy the Zionists. The crimes committed with an American weapons, vehicles and equipment dedicated to this matter. Yesterday, they assassinated the citizens under the charge of belonging to Hamas. They defiled the mosques and distributing barriers. Today, they continued their work instead of the Zionist occupation in assassinating the wanted Qassam leaders. Al-Qassam Brigades mourns the death of the Qassam commander Ibrahim Salman Munia (Ghanim)."
("Ibrahim Munia was Martyred by Traitors in the Presidential Guard," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 15, 2007).
May 15, 2007:
- Palestinian terrorists fire at IDF forces operating in Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah.
- IDF forces apprehend a Hamas terrorist near Ramallah. Another wanted individual is arrested in Hebron.
(Nana [Translated from Hebrew], May 15, 2007).
- Palestinian terrorists fire at IDF forces operating in Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah.
- IDF forces apprehend a Hamas terrorist near Ramallah. Another wanted individual is arrested in Hebron.
(Nana [Translated from Hebrew], May 15, 2007).
May 15, 2007:
Hamas operatives capture three trucks loaded with weapons. The weapons, provided by the United States, were slated for delivery to Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip.
("Hamas Seizes Weapons Provided by US," IsraelNationalNews, May 14, 2007; Idan Yosef, "Hamas Captures American Weapons," NFC [Translated from Hebrew], May 14, 2007).
Hamas operatives capture three trucks loaded with weapons. The weapons, provided by the United States, were slated for delivery to Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip.
("Hamas Seizes Weapons Provided by US," IsraelNationalNews, May 14, 2007; Idan Yosef, "Hamas Captures American Weapons," NFC [Translated from Hebrew], May 14, 2007).
May 14, 2007:
Maariv reports that Israel will increase security around strategic sites following a general warning of an Al-Qaeda threat to target gas and petroleum facilities in the Middle East and Israel (including the Egypt-Israel natural gas pipeline).
("Maariv: Israeli Security Services Fortifying Oil, Gas and Nuclear Facilities Due to Fear of Al-Qaeda Attack," Ma'an News, May 14, 2007).
Maariv reports that Israel will increase security around strategic sites following a general warning of an Al-Qaeda threat to target gas and petroleum facilities in the Middle East and Israel (including the Egypt-Israel natural gas pipeline).
("Maariv: Israeli Security Services Fortifying Oil, Gas and Nuclear Facilities Due to Fear of Al-Qaeda Attack," Ma'an News, May 14, 2007).
May 14, 2007:
"We warn of a desire to destroy the atmosphere of calm for personal goals and Foreign agenda...We affirm our commitment to the commitments which made by the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas to defuse the crisis. We assure that we are very careful to the success of the government of national unity."
("Outlaw Groups is Seeking to Destroy the Atmosphere of Calm," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 14, 2007).
"We warn of a desire to destroy the atmosphere of calm for personal goals and Foreign agenda...We affirm our commitment to the commitments which made by the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas to defuse the crisis. We assure that we are very careful to the success of the government of national unity."
("Outlaw Groups is Seeking to Destroy the Atmosphere of Calm," Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) Website, May 14, 2007).
May 14, 2007:
* A-Shawak Al Aswat reports that Syria has begun preparations for extensive military exercises (May-July).
* Syria is currently negotiating with Russia for the acquistion of advanced anti-aircraft systems, such as the S-300PMU1 and TOR-M1.
(Idan Yosef, "Syria Begins Mi
* A-Shawak Al Aswat reports that Syria has begun preparations for extensive military exercises (May-July).
* Syria is currently negotiating with Russia for the acquistion of advanced anti-aircraft systems, such as the S-300PMU1 and TOR-M1.
(Idan Yosef, "Syria Begins Mi