ON Ground Updates: Israel/Palestinian Conflict, February 05, 2009

ON Ground Updates:
Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Egypt FINALLY Installs U.S. Tunnel Detection Equipment on Egypt-Gaza Border

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Israel Map and Flag by DOS
..

AP had this bit of good news back on Feb. 1st that I overlooked and it goes like this... An Egyptian security official at the Egypt-Gaza border says U.S. Army engineers have arrived at the frontier to set up ground-penetrating radar to detect smuggling tunnels...
Read the rest at link below...
Egypt installs US tunnel detection equipment
.
* The WorldTribune.com website had this take on it... The U.S. military has begun testing tunnel detection systems along the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip... The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been testing unidentified advanced tunnel detection systems in the eastern Sinai. A 14 member U.S. military delegation has been instructing the Egyptian security forces in the operation of the system to detect Palestinian weapons smuggling tunnels that connect to the Gaza Strip...
Read the full report at link below...
U.S. trains Egyptians on tunnel detection system near Gaza Strip
.
***************
Great news and...
It’s about dang time!!!
AubreyJ.........

.
***************
.
Also in the News today...
IsraelNationalNews.com has this report for us...
The IDF has confirmed that an Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat named "Tali" on Thursday morning. The ship, bearing the flag of Togo, was illegally attempting to enter Gaza... Two Israeli helicopters were reported in the area at the time of the interception, which took place approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the Gaza coast... Among those on board were a reporter for the Arabic-language Al-Jazeera network, human rights activists, and former Greek Catholic archbishop of Jerusalem, Monsignor Hilarion Capuccci... Capucci, who in the 70s was accused of arms trafficking for the Palestine Liberation Army, was convicted in 1974 by an Israeli court of using his diplomatic status to smuggle arms to terrorists...
Read the rest at link below...
IDF Confirms: Navy Intercepted Ship Enroute to Gaza
.
**************************************
.
The New York Times had this report on it this morning... It goes in part like this...
A statement from the Israeli military said the boat, sailing under the flag of Togo, left Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, a few days ago, made a stop in Cyprus, and then tried to enter Gazan waters against Israeli orders. The military said that when the ship’s crew was instructed on Wednesday not to try to reach Gaza, the crew replied that the vessel would go instead to El Arish in Egypt but it then changed course... “During today’s morning hours, the cargo ship changed its bearing, and began heading toward the Gaza Strip, contrary to the claims made by the boat crew last evening,” the military statement said. “Disregarding all warnings made, the cargo boat entered Gazan coastal waters.”... The statement added that Israel worried the boat could “threaten security concerns” or be used to smuggle banned equipment, like weapons, “into or out of the Gaza Strip.” The Israeli military said humanitarian goods found on the boat would be sent into Gaza...
Read the full report at link below...
Israel Seizes Ship Bound for Gaza
.
************************
.
China View website reports it this way...
Syria strongly condemned on Thursday "the Israeli navy piracy" against a Lebanese ship which loaded with humanitarian aid for the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza, the official SANA news agency reported...
Read the full report at link below...
Syria condemns Israeli "piracy" against Lebanese ship

.
******************************
.
Israel’s MFA put out the following News Letter today for their take on the Ship Seizure:

Cargo Boat Attempting Illegal Entry to Gazan Coastal Waters Intercepted

.
This morning, Thursday, February 5, 2009, an Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat named "Tali" which was bearing the flag of Togo and was illegally attempting to enter the Gaza Strip.
.
The cargo boat sailed from the Tripoli port in Lebanon a few days ago, docking in Cyprus before continuing its journey to the Gaza Strip. While at sea, the cargo boat was contacted by Israel, clarifying that it will not be permitted to enter Gazan coastal waters because of security risks in the area and the existing naval blockade.
.
Starting yesterday evening, the Israel Navy has been making direct contact with the boat and continued to clarify that the ship will not be permitted to enter the Gaza Strip's coastal waters. The boat crew stated their intentions of changing their destination to the port in El-Arish, Egypt.
.
During the morning hours today, the cargo ship changed its bearing, and began heading towards the Gaza Strip, contrary to the claims made by the boat crew last evening.
.
Disregarding all warnings, the cargo boat entered Gazan coastal waters. The actions of the boat crew raised suspicion, as it could threaten security concerns, or furthermore, the boat could be used for smuggling banned equipment (weaponry, etc.) in to or out of the Gaza Strip.
.
As a result of the actions taken by the boat crew, an Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat, directing it towards Ashdod, Israel. No gunshots were fired on board during the boarding and capturing of the cargo boat. The boat crew will be taken for questioning by the Israeli Police, and any humanitarian goods found on the boat will be transferred to the Gaza Strip.
.
The IDF Spokesperson Unit would like to emphasize that any organization or country that wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, can do so via the established crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip with prior coordination.
.
Note: The true motivation of the ship's voyage can be discerned by the fact that not only were a number of journalists invited to join, but also on board was Hilarion Cappuci - a former Greek Catholic bishop who was caught in 1974 smuggling weapons bound for Palestinian terrorists in the trunk of his official church vehicle while entering Israel from Lebanon.
.

Taken from a MFA News Letter - Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson
...

ON Ground Updates: Israel/Palestinian Conflict, February 1, 2009

ON Ground Updates:

Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Olmert vowed Sunday to hit back at Hamas with “disproportionate” force

Sunday, February 01, 2009
.

File photo by IAF

.

* FT.com brings us this report this morning and it starts off like this... Ehud Olmert vowed on Sunday to hit back at Hamas with “disproportionate” force, amid growing signs that the fragile ceasefire that ended three weeks of conflict in the Gaza Strip was unraveling... The Israeli prime minister’s statement came after at least three rockets and 13 mortars fired by Gaza-based militants struck Israel. There was no claim of responsibility, but Israel holds the Islamist group responsible for all fire emanating from the territory...
Read the rest at link below...
Olmert threatens fierce response to rockets
.
* YNETNews.com has this report and it starts off like this... Palestinian leader slams armed groups in Gaza for 'ending ceasefire due to interests and agendas that have nothing to do with the Palestinian people'... Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the failure of the truce with Israel on the Palestinian factions in Gaza...
Read the full report at link below...
Abbas: Rockets give Israel excuse for escalation
.
* IsraelNationalNews.com is reporting today... (IsraelNN.com) Residents of Rafiah and Khan Younis in Gaza reported Sunday evening that they received recorded phone messages from the IDF with warnings of the kind that often precede IDF attacks... "Any person who is located near a terror center or a weapons storage facility or a tunnel must leave the location immediately,” the warning said... Ynet reported that Hamas evacuated its personnel from all government offices Sunday. The evacuation was not announced formally so as not to alert the population to the danger...
Read the rest at link below...
IDF Phones Gazans, Warns of Coming Strike

.
******************
AubreyJ.........

ON Ground Updates: Israel/Palestinian Conflict, January 21, 2008

ON Ground Updates: Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Israel says all Soldiers have now pulled out of Gaza
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
.
* SkyNews.com brings us this report today and it starts off like this... Israel says all its soldiers have now been pulled out of Gaza... They have not gone far. Much of its heavy armour remains massed on the border and Israel says it may send them back in again if Hamas resumes its rocket fire... Soldiers have told Sky News Online they have been kept on combat readiness for 30 days. That order extends even to troops' communications with families... "We are not allowed to see our wives or girlfriends," said one infantryman. "We can only phone them so we stay focused."... Israel announced its unilateral ceasefire on Saturday night and Hamas followed suit the next day... Hamas issued Israel with demands to withdraw troops in a week and open Gaza's border crossings... But Israel says any agreement to reopen crossings is a long way off and conditional on Hamas releasing abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit...
Read the rest at link below...
Gaza: Israeli Army 'Combat Ready'
.
* PressTV.ir has this report today and it goes like this... Thousands of Palestinians stage a massive rally in the Gaza Strip to celebrate the Hamas government's dramatic victory over Israel... The people of Gaza poured to the streets to celebrate the resistance that their democratically-elected government displayed during a 22-day war with Israel and its heavily armed military... The demonstrators celebrated by waving Hamas flags and shouting slogans in support of the movement, as the Israel army said that it had withdrawn all its forces from the coastal region... On Monday, senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniya said Israeli offensive into Gaza was a failure for Tel Aviv and a victory for Palestinians, who were able to withstand the Israeli onslaught... God has granted us a great victory, not for one faction, or party, or area, but for our entire people… Despite all the wounds, our people didn't surrender, but demonstrated a legendary perseverance," he said in a televised message... Similar celebrations were also held in Iran on Tuesday and Wednesday as people took to the streets to express their joy over the success of the Palestinian resistance...

Read the rest at link below...
Palestinians celebrate Hamas victory
**********
VICTORY!!!?
Your land lies in ruble, as far as you can see... and you people are celebrating a... VICTORY!
I think you DAs got your BUTTS kicked... and badly!
AubreyJ.........
.
*********************************
.
JerusalemOnline.com
Israel’s Channel 2 News Online
Click out their Daily News Report HERE

(Due to HEAVY Internet traffic, News Video may take a few to load)
.
******************
.

* Here’s some Links out of Israel for you...

Most with 24/7 up-to-date News on this Operation
.

* YNET News

* Arutz Sheva

* Jerusalem Post

* DEBKAfile

* (IDF)-Israel Defense Forces

* (YouTube)-IDF Spokesperson's Unit

* (MFA)-Israel Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
.
*****************************
.

Click Banner above to get all the Updated News from the ones making it... The Israeli Defense Force!
.
**************************
.
This should be my last post on this round of fighting. I will be doing my regular update posts, ever so often, that I call... ‘On Ground Updates: Israel’
AubreyJ.........

Operation in Gaza: Statement by Israeli PM Ehud Olmert - January 17-18, 2009

Note: This post moved to top today from Saturday’s original posting

.

Operation in Gaza:
Statement by Israeli PM Ehud Olmert
Saturday/Sunday, January 17-18, 2009
.
Beginning at 2:00 a.m., Israel will cease its actions against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip...
.

MFA file photo

PM Olmert had this to say in part...
..
Beginning at 2:00 a.m., Israel will cease its actions against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and will remain deployed in the Gaza Strip and its environs.
.
Our targets, as defined when we launched the operation in Gaza, have been fully achieved, and more so.
.

- Hamas was badly stricken, both in terms of its military capabilities and in the infrastructure of its regime.
.

- The international community is ready to mobilize to achieve maximum stability, and knows that, for this to occur, the process of Hamas's strengthening must stop...
Read the Full Translated Transcript from Hebrew to English HERE
.
*****************************************
.
IDF reports it this way...
.

Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip...

Starting At 02:00am
Their time: Sunday, January 18, 2008

Photo: IDF Spokesperson
.
Following the Security Cabinet’s decision on Saturday evening (Jan. 17) to accept the Egyptian proposal and the announcement of the unilateral Gaza Strip ceasefire, the IDF is currently taking the necessary measures to implement this decision.
.
The Cabinet’s decision was reached after the IDF achieved the objectives it set for Operation Cast Lead, mainly the heavy hitting of the infrastructure, weaponry, rocket launching system and terror operatives of the Hamas terror organization.
.
When the ceasefire comes into effect on Sunday (Jan. 18) at 02:00, the commander of Operation Cast Lead, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, will order the redeployment of IDF forces within the Gaza Strip following the security assessments. The forces will also be briefed on the specifics of the rules of opening fire during the ceasefire. IDF forces will respond to any attack against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers accordingly.
.
Following the orders of the Chief of the General Staff and the GOC of the Southern Command, the operation has not yet ended and IDF aerial, naval, ground and intelligence forces will stay alert and ready for any possible situation. The IDF will continue to assess the situation and it sees Hamas as responsible for the stability of the ceasefire and the return to routine life for the residents of the Gaza Strip. Israel made its decision and Hamas will be responsible for its stability.
.
The current Home Front Command safety instructions for the residents of southern Israel remain in effect, considering the possibility that Hamas will continue the rocket fire in order to “have the last word”. All of the citizens of the regions neighboring the Gaza Strip are therefore asked to continue following the guidelines of the Home Front Command.
Taken from the IDF official website
.
*******************************
.
POST UPDATE:
Hamas Announces Immediate Ceasefire
Sunday, January 18, 2009
.. About Photo: PAST Visual materiel confiscated from Hamas charity institutions
.
A statement read by a Hamas spokesman said the group would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.

The move came hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect... The cessation of hostilities was earlier cast into doubt by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on militants in Gaza... Hamas' deputy chief in Syria, Moussa Abou Marzouk, said the ceasefire was in the name of all "Palestinian resistance factions"...
Read this report in full from the BBC.co.uk website at link below...
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza
.
* YNETNews.com reports it this way this early Sunday morning our time...
Hamas, Jihad cease fire in Gaza

*******
AubreyJ.........

Day 18 thru 22 - ON Ground Updates, Israel/Palestinian Conflict, January 13-17, 2008

Second Stage of
* Operation 'Cast Lead *
Continues throughout the Gaza Strip
Day Eighteen thru Twenty-two - Week Three/Four
Retaliation for Ongoing Rocket Attacks against the Jewish State
Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Post Dates: Tuesday-Saturday, January 13-17, 2009
This post moved on top today from Tuesday’s original posting - Scroll below for newer post
.

Eight IDF Soldiers Wounded During the Night; Operation Continues
.
On Monday night (Jan. 12), an IDF officer was critically wounded and two IDF soldiers were lightly to moderately wounded after an explosive device, used to target forces, was detonated in a booby trapped house. The soldiers were evacuated to hospitals in Israel and their families have been notified. The forces were performing searches in the northern Gaza Strip. Additional weaponry was uncovered while searching the booby-trapped house, which included a machine gun and a flak-jacket.
.
During Armored Corps, Engineering Corps and Infantry Corps operations on Monday night (Jan.12) in the northern Gaza Strip, two booby-trap rigged tunnels and large amounts of weaponry were uncovered close to the security fence. The forces fired at three terror operatives and uncovered many weapons in the area. In addition, forces uncovered a number of additional smuggling tunnels used by Hamas. Throughout the night, approximately 30 terror operatives were hit.
.
Hamas continues to use mosques as operational centers in order to fire at IDF soldiers. Fire was opened from the yard of a mosque at IDF forces, who then returned the fire. In a separate incident, the IAF hit terror operatives in the yard of a mosque.
.
IDF forces spotted a number of terror operatives planting an explosive device in Gaza City and directed aerial forces that struck them. Different pieces of equipment used by Hamas, including four mortar launchers, an explosive device, a vest and a camera were uncovered in the outskirts of Gaza City.
.
The IAF continued to target terrorist sites on Monday night (Jan. 12) and hit over 60 targets, among them a hotel in which terror operatives were fathering in order to fire at IDF forces, a number of Hamas terror operatives who were rigging a house with explosive devices, fifteen smuggling tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor, over fifteen rocket launching sites, ten Hamas outposts, fifteen squads of armed operatives, seven weaponry storage facilities, a weaponry manufacturing facility located in the house of a Hamas terror operative, and a rocket launching squad. Dozens of additional targets were struck in order to assist Ground Forces, when preparations for fire at IDF forces were identified from those sites.
.
Israel Navy boats assisted in enforcing the marine closure on the Gaza Strip and prevented the passage of boats that might arrive in the area.
Info from IDF Official Website

***************************
.
Gaza CNN: Cameraman Captures Death of Younger Brother - But is the TRUE STORY being told???

News Video posted on YouTube by tafatefo007
Read the real story behind this News Video at link below...
Bloggers Uncover Possible CNN Video Fraud
.
*********************************

JerusalemOnline.com
Israel’s Channel 2 News Online
Click out their Daily News Report HERE
(Due to HEAVY Internet traffic, News Video may take a few to load)
.
******************
.
* Here’s some Links out of Israel for you...
Most with 24/7 up-to-date News on this Operation
.
* YNET News
* Arutz Sheva
* Jerusalem Post
* DEBKAfile
* (IDF)-Israel Defense Forces
* (YouTube)-IDF Spokesperson's Unit
* (MFA)-Israel Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
.
******************************

Click Banner above to get all the Updated News from the ones making it... The Israeli Defense Forces!
..
******************.

GREAT REPORTING - Be sure to click it out

****************
.
POST UPDATE:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
.
Seven Soldiers Wounded by Anti-Tank Missile
.
On Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 14), an IDF soldier was severely wounded, another soldier was moderately wounded and five other soldiers were lightly injured when an anti-tank missile was fired at the forces in the northern Gaza Strip. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified.
.
Earlier during the day, Paratrooper Brigade forces hit a terror operative who was approaching to attack them. While searching a building in the northern Gaza Strip, the forces identified a suicide bomber armed with a weapon and an explosive belt. The forces opened fire at him, which caused the explosive belt on his person to detonate.
.
In addition, Combat Engineering Corps forces, in a joint operation with Armored Corps forces, uncovered a stockpile of 20 rockets inside a house in Gaza City. The rockets were detonated in a controlled matter. In another incident, an armed terror operative was identified in close proximity to Armored Corps forces. The forces fired at him and identified hitting the terrorist. Ground forces identified armed terror operatives in a number of additional incidents, and assisted in directing aerial strikes on them.
.
At about 14:00, the IAF hit a rocket launcher just after that launcher fired a rocket at Beersheba. The IAF targeted approximately 20 targets between Wednesday morning and Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 14), among them 3 weapons smuggling tunnels, 9 rockets launching sites – some of them located underground and some of them loaded and ready for firing at Israeli territory – a number of armed terror operatives, 5 weaponry storage facilities. A number of aerial strikes were also carried out with the assistance of ground forces who directed the IAF after they identified operatives preparing to fire.
Info/Photo from IDF Official Website
.
. ****************
.
POST UPDATE:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
.
YNETNews.com brings us this report early, early this Thursday morning and it starts off like this... Senior diplomatic official tells Ynet that if Egyptian truce proposal fails to meet Israeli objectives, other options remain open, hinting military op could expand. Decision of whether to accept ceasefire plan or deepen offensive to be made by Friday, he adds...
Read the full report at link below...
Israeli official: Keeping all options open
.
*****************
.
Night Strike on Hamas Terrorists 14 Jan. 2009

About Video: The Israel Defense Forces carries out a joint mission employing infantry, armor, and airpower against Hamas terrorists.
This video post on YouTube by idfnadesk
.
*****************
.
* IHT.com has the following report early this afternoon...
Israeli forces shelled neighborhoods deep inside Gaza City on Thursday, hitting the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and wounding at least three people among the hundreds sheltering in the compound, UN officials and witnesses said... Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed regret for the incident but said that Israeli forces were fired on by Hamas militants from just outside the compound and that the militants raced inside the compound to take cover, Olmert's spokesman, Mark Regev said...
Read the rest at link below...
UN outraged after Israel shells its compound
.
* AlBawaba.com has the following two short reports posted up on their website...
> Report: Israel warns Lebanon over rocket firing
> “Arab states urge Israel to kill Gaza leaders”
.
* AFP website has this short report today. It starts off like this...
Israel killed one of Hamas's top leaders in Gaza, interior minister Said Siam, the most senior Islamist to have been killed in the 20-day-old war in the enclave, Hamas television said...
Read the rest at link below...
Israel kills senior Hamas leader Said Siam in Gaza: Hamas TV

. ************************
.
Post Update:
Friday, January 16, 2008
.
* Israel to Vote on Gaza Truce *
* VOANews.com brings us this report and it starts off like this... Israeli officials say their government is considering halting its three-week offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, that has killed at least 1,100 Palestinians... Officials say Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to convene his security cabinet on Saturday for a vote on a unilateral ceasefire... Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni signed an agreement in Washington offering U.S. help to Israel in solving the problem of arms smuggling in Gaza. The deal is intended to keep Hamas from re-arming if a cease-fire is reached...
Read the rest HERE
.
* Guardian.co.uk website has this bit of news today that starts off like this... Arab divisions over the Gaza crisis were dramatically underlined again today when Syria, the chief backer of the Palestinian group Hamas, called a groundbreaking peace plan dead and urged Arab states to sever all ties with Israel... Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, told like-minded leaders meeting in the Gulf state of Qatar that the 2002 Arab peace initiative, backed by the entire 22-member Arab League, was no longer valid. Syria had already announced an end to its own talks with Israel, brokered by Turkey and focusing on the Golan Heights... The Arab initiative promises recognition of Israel in return for a withdrawal to the 1967 borders and a just settlement of the Palestinian problem. It is widely considered to be the only basis on which a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement could be reached and has already attracted the attention of US president-elect Barack Obama...
Read the full story at link below...
Syria urges full Arab boycott of Israel as divisions deepen over Gaza

****************
.
POST UPDATE:
Saturday, January 17, 2009
. .
Israel to Announce Ceasefire TODAY
.
* BBC.co.uk brings us this report this Saturday Morning and it starts off like this... The Israeli cabinet is set to back an end to offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip, three weeks after attacks began, the BBC understands... Israel's leaders are expected to approve a ceasefire at a meeting later on Saturday, after which PM Ehud Olmert will address the nation, sources said... The sources said the ceasefire deal did not involve Hamas... It is not clear how Hamas will respond; its officials say the group will ignore any truce unless its demands are met... Ahead of the move violence continued in Gaza, with 50 Israeli air strikes overnight. Rocket fire from Hamas militants also continued... About 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the violence began on 27 December. Thirteen Israelis - three civilians and 10 soldiers - have been killed during the campaign...
Read the rest at link below...
Israel 'to announce ceasefire'

Operation in Gaza:
Statement by Israeli PM Ehud Olmert
Saturday, January 17, 2009
.
Beginning at 2:00 a.m., Israel will cease its actions against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip...
Read more HERE

***************
This is the end of this round of posts on Operation ‘CAST LEAD’ - Newer post out of Gaza/Israel can be found above this one.
* POST END *

. *******************************

To my friends in Israel...
I hope now you can finally have a
Long Lasting Peace
.
AubreyJ.........

Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni talks about Israel and the War in Gaza

Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni talks about Israel and the War in Gaza
Post date: Friday, January 16, 2009

.

Livni BIO photo by MFS.gov.il
.
Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni gave on Thursday the best full explanation I’ve heard, as of yet, as to why Israel is at war in GAZA right now. Here is just some of what she had to say Thursday...

.
Foreign Minister Livni...

...These are difficult times but Israel, a member state of the United Nations, is doing what a state needs to do in order to defend its citizens.
.
This is an effective, successful military operation against terror. Gaza is being controlled by a terrorist organization that does not fight for the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and is not part of the peace process that Israel launched in Annapolis with the pragmatic leadership in the Palestinian Authority.
.
That process needs to be continued according to an understanding and international strategy. We are working according to a dual strategy: the need to achieve a peace process with the pragmatic leadership of the legitimate Palestinian government; and, simultaneously, [the need] to fight terrorism and continue the de-legitimization of Hamas, which the international community decided upon three years ago and kept successfully until now. Hamas cannot be legitimized unless it accepts the international requirements, including accepting Israel’s right to exist, full renunciation of violence and terrorism, and of course, the acceptance of former agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
.
For eight years now, Israeli civilians have been under threat. We discussed it, not for the first time. I call my colleagues in the international community and also the Secretary-General, telling them that this cannot continue any longer. Israeli citizens cannot live in a situation in which children cannot go to schools or kindergartens and be under this kind of threat.
.
Israel showed restraint, but there was and is a moment in which a state has to say enough is enough, and to translate it into a military operation, because there is no other way to address Hamas. When we discussed the fact that Israeli civilians are under threat, we heard the international community condemning terror attacks coming from the Gaza Strip, condemning mortars and the fact that the Hamas targets Israel. But then what?
.
Hamas is not a member of the United Nations; Hamas is not thinking about accepting the international community’s rules. Hamas does not share the same values that we all share, as members of the free world and the international community.
.
A few months ago, Israel decided to accept a truce that was initiated by the Egyptians, and which was violated on a daily basis by Hamas by targeting Israel and by continuously smuggling weapons that changed the missile range from twenty kilometers to fifty kilometers.
.
So today we discussed the humanitarian situation. Israel is acting against terror in the Gaza Strip, and simultaneously trying to help by easing the life of the population and giving medical and humanitarian support for the civilians. We understand and share the concerns of the international community on this matter. Anyway, these are our values as well.
.
But, at the end of the day, the question where the region is going relates to understanding the strategic nature of the processes in the region and the interests of the different players in the region, not only Israel’s. Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip is an obstacle not only for Israel but also for the Palestinians to create a state of their own. They are also responsible for the situation in the Gaza Strip, for the loss of Palestinian lives, and for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

.
There is a fight and a battle going on in this region and it is not between Israel and the Palestinians. It is between moderates and extremists. Israel is in the same camp as the Palestinian moderates who have a legitimate government. We are with the other states that express their need to live in peace in the region, who want to see the continuation of the peace process based on two states for two peoples. Those states understand that terror, hatred and incitement are something that this region cannot afford any more. We need to fight it together, and that is what we are doing.
.
So, the question of where we are going is not only about the humanitarian situation, which is important and I am not going to downplay it, but also about the need to continue the de-legitimization of Hamas that the international community has been doing for three years now, because there is no way to gain legitimacy just through the Quartet’s requirements. They need to give an answer about the smuggling of weapons to the Gaza Strip. This is not only an Israeli problem, but it affects our possibility to live in peace or give our citizens what any citizen of the world deserves, which is a life free from threats.
.
Today we discussed all of these issues. Of course, Israel needs to make its own decisions, according to what I have just shared with you – our need to defend our citizens. What we are doing is expressing our right to self-defense. Israel is going to maintain its right to answer any kind of threat coming from different parts of the region, in a manner that we believe meets our responsibility as a government to defend our citizens.
.
This is what we are doing, and I do believe that maybe the end of the military operation can be this region’s opportunity to achieve the changes that all of us so need...
.

Read the full transcript HERE

Above taken from a transcript from a Press Conference held Thursday, 01-15-09 with Israeli FM Livni and UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki-Moon - Taken from the official MFA.gov website
.
*******************
AubreyJ.........

Day 14-15-16-17- ON Ground Updates, Israel/Palestinian Conflict, January 09-12, 2008

Second Stage of
* Operation 'Cast Lead *
Continues throughout the Gaza Strip
Day Fourteen-Fifteen-Sixteen-Seventeen - Week Three
Retaliation for Ongoing Rocket Attacks against the Jewish State
Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Post Dates: Friday-Monday, January 09-12, 2009
This post moved on top today from Friday’s original posting - Scroll below for newer post

.

Photo from IDF
... .
Operation Continues: Anti-Tank Missiles Fired Upon IDF Forces

As the ground operation continues, Friday (Jan. 9), several armed Hamas operatives were hit in the northern Gaza Strip. During a Paratrooper Brigade operation, forces identified a booby-trapped house with several mines planted inside. Over the course of a Golani Brigade operation, which also occurred in the northern Gaza Strip, anti-tank missiles were fired at the forces. The Golani forces responded with precise fire and identified directly hitting terrorists. In a different incident, Armored Corps forces targeted a building that was housing terrorists. It is from this build Sergeant Amit Robinson was shot and killed on Thursday (Jan. 8), when snipers opened fire at IDF forces.
.
In addition, the IAF struck over 70 targets throughout Friday (Jan. 9), which include 15 rocket launching sites and an armed rocket launcher, and rocket launching squads that launched rockets into Ashkelon earlier during the day. Furthermore, three houses belonging to Hamas terror operatives that were used as weapons storage facilities, two weapons smuggling tunnels, four weapons storage facilities, 20 terror operatives and a vehicle transporting with armed terrorists were targeted.
.
On Thursday night (Jan. 8), the IN struck at least ten armed terror operatives in the central Gaza Strip. IN forces continued providing support to the Ground Forces throughout their operation in the Gaza Strip.

Info from IDF Official Website
.
*********************************
. .
IDF Paratroopers Fight Their Way Through Gaza's Streets

About Raw Video: An IDF Paratroop Unit fight their way thru North Gaza coming up against enemy fire and discovering Hamas weapons, uniforms, bombs and bomb making plans along the way... In a pinpoint operation conducted by IDF forces in coordination with the ISA this morning, soldiers targeted and identified hitting a number of Islamic Jihad operatives who in recent days launched rockets into Israel...
Video posted on LiveLeak by barnesy
.
*********************************
.
JerusalemOnline.com
Israel’s Channel 2 News Online
Click out their Daily News Report HERE
(Due to HEAVY Internet traffic, News Video may take a few to load)
.
******************
.
* Here’s some Links out of Israel for you...
Most with 24/7 up-to-date News on this Operation
.
* YNET News
* Arutz Sheva
* Jerusalem Post
* DEBKAfile
* (IDF)-Israel Defense Forces
* (YouTube)-IDF Spokesperson's Unit
* (MFA)-Israel Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
.
******************************

Click Banner above to get all the Updated News from the ones making it... The Israeli Defense Forces!
..
******************.
No Cease Fire In Gaza

About Video: Fighting continues in Gaza, as both Israeli and Hamas leaders have abandoned the U.N. cease-fire plans. CBS News Mark Phillips reports from along the Israeli-Gaza border.
News Video Report posted on YouTube by CBS

***************
.
POST UPDATE:
Saturday, January 10, 2009
.
‘Quote for the Week’

Livni BIO photo from MFS.gov.il
.
“...When we left Gaza, Hamas used to write on billboards that terror won and Israel left Gaza because of terror. So today the message for the Palestinians is that we left the Gaza Strip in order to create hopes for peace. But now we are coming back because of terror..."
By Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
Read the story behind the Quote HERE
.
****************
.
POST UPDATE:
Sunday, January 11, 2009
.
* MedicineHatNews.com has this report posted on their website this Sunday morning and it starts off like this...
Israeli troops made their deepest advance into the Gaza Strip's most heavily populated area Sunday, encountering increasingly fierce resistance from Hamas fighters... Speaking to his cabinet, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the country "is nearing" its goals, but that the offensive will continue despite global calls for a ceasefire, led by the United Nations Security Council... Israel warned Gaza's 1.4 million residents Saturday that it plans to escalate a devastating air and ground assault that already has killed more than 800 Palestinians...
Read the full report at link below...
Israeli troops meet fierce Hamas resistance in Gaza City suburb
.
* Telegraph.co.uk has this report...
Israel has signaled that it is close to achieving its goal of destroying the military wing of Hamas but said its offensive would continue for several more days...
Read the rest at link below...
Israel 'close to destroying military wing of Hamas'
.
*********************
.
Hamas Map Found in Operation

About Video: Hamas turn a Gaza neighborhood into a warzoneThis map, confiscated Wednesday (Jan. 7th) by IDF paratroopers operating in the north of Gaza, shows how Hamas uses an entire neighborhood, rigging it with explosive devices and putting the entire civilian population at great risk. The map shows the al-Tatraa neighborhood in Gaza City divided into three areas of operation (red, blue and green). The dots on the map indicate where Hamas operatives had planted a variety of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), with the colors indicating the type of IED.
.
Additional marks show sniper positions next to mosques. Next to the entrance of the el-Tawid mosque near to Shauuda Plaza at the top left of the map there is a sniper posting with marking indicating the direction of fire marked on the map. At the bottom center of the map there is a gas station where Hamas planted an IED which, if activated, could cause a very large explosion throughout the neighborhood.

An overall study of the map demonstrates how Hamas deliberately uses civilians, using them as live targets and hiding behind them; they plant IEDs at the enterances of homes, they booby trap homes and they use places of worship, all with no regard to collateral damage or civilian lives..
Video/Info posted on YouTube by idfnadesk
.
**********************
.
IDF has the following update for us today...

IAF Strikes Head of Hamas Military Wing
.
Throughout Saturday night (Jan. 10th), IAF forces continued striking Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. One of the targets was the house of the head of Hamas's military wing, Ahmed Jabri, in Sajaiya.
.
The IAF struck over 60 targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including a mosque in the city of Rafah used for storing weaponry, such as machine guns and sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles. The mosque was also used as a training camp and a meeting place for Hamas members. Similarly, the Air Force carried out aerial strikes on 10 weaponry storage facilities (some located in houses belonging to Hamas operatives), 10 squads of armed operatives, nine weapons smuggling tunnels in the Philadephi Corridor in the Rafah area, three launching sites, an underground rocket launcher, and a Hamas police station.
.
IDF Infantry Corps, Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, Artillery Corps and Intelligence Corps forces continue to operate against Hamas terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. The forces were involved in a number of incidents in which several armed operatives were hit. Armored Corps and Paratrooper Brigade forces identified a group of armed operatives and assisted in guiding IAF forces to the operative cell. In a separate incident, IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip identified an armed operative planting an explosive device and fired at him.
Info from IDF official website - Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson
.
************************
.
PM Olmert's Remarks at start of Weekly Cabinet Meeting
Sunday, January 11, 2009
.
Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 11 January 2009:
.
"For three weeks now, the State of Israel has been making an impressive military effort in the Gaza Strip in order to change the security situation in the south of the country. For many years we've demonstrated restraint. We reined our reactions. We bit our lips and took barrage after barrage. No country in the world - not even those who preach morality to us - would have shown similar patience and self-control. At the end of the day, the sense of responsibility and the obligation to defend our citizens, after endless warnings, led us to the unavoidable decision to defend our children and our residents whose lives had become intolerable.
.
We knew in advance that this struggle would be neither easy nor simple. We did not delude ourselves that what seemed natural, clear and self-evident for any other country, would be received with a proper measure of agreement given that the State of Israel is involved. This did not impair, and does not impair, our determination to defend our residents. We have never agreed that someone should decide for us if we are allowed to strike at those who bomb kindergartens and schools and we will never agree to this in the future. No decision, present or future, will deny us our basic right to defend the residents of Israel.
.
I must note that UN Security Council Resolution 1860 also sharply rules out continued attacks directed against civilians and does not forbid urgent action against them.
.
Until now, we have made impressive achievements in the operation being conducted against the terrorist organizations in Gaza. They are the result of the courage, determination and sacrifice of IDF fighters and commanders, from IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi to the soldiers now fighting terrorists somewhere in the Gaza Strip. To this must be added the exemplary and decisive contribution of the anonymous fighters of the ISA and ISA Director Yuval Diskin.
.
This is the time to translate our accomplishments into attaining our goals. Israel is nearing the goals that it set for itself; however, further patience, determination and effort are necessary in order to achieve those goals in a way that will change the security reality in the south, so that our citizens will be able to feel long-term security and stability. We must not, at the last minute, lose what has been achieved in an unprecedented national effort that restored the spirit of unity to the nation. The Israeli public, especially the residents of the south, have the requisite patience and willingness - so does the Government!"
Above communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser - Taken from a MFA Newsletter

****************
.
POST UPDATE:
Monday, January 12, 2009

Since Monday morning (Jan.12), IDF Infantry Corps, Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, Artillery Corps and Intelligence Corps forces continued to operate against the Hamas terrorist infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip. .Ground Forces were involved in a number of incidents in which several armed gunmen were hit.
.
A squad of terror operatives opened fire at ground forces from a mosque. The forces directed aerial forces that attacked the squad, and then the forces proceeded to search the mosque, uncovering Qassam rockets and mortar shells..In a separate incident, IDF forces identified a number of armed gunmen and opened fire at them. The force later searched the area and uncovered a large amount of weaponry including anti-aircraft missiles, mortar shells and machine guns..In addition, IDF forces uncovered a tunnel while searching a house in the northern Gaza Strip, and destroyed it. Additionally, forces identified a terror operative planting an explosive device and opened fire at him.
.
An IDF soldier was severely wounded and three other soldiers were lightly injured in the course of operations carried out Paratrooper Brigade forces. The casualties were evacuated to hospitals in Israel to receive medical treatment, and their families have been notified. .The IAF attacked over 60 Hamas terrorist sites throughout the Gaza Strip, among them nine groups of armed gunmen, twenty smuggling tunnels along the Rafah border, two mortar shell launchers, nine rocket launching sites, three buildings utilized by terror operatives, two vehicles in which Hamas terror operatives were driving and additional targets hit in order to assist the Ground Forces..Approximately 20 rockets and mortar shells were launched into Israel on Monday (Jan. 12); two rockets directly hit buildings in Ashkelon and Sderot, causing severe damage..165 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were transferred to the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings during the daily three hour long cease-fire period.
Info from IDF official website - Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson

**********************
More news to come as Operation ‘CAST LEAD’ continues...
. ****************************

God’s speed in a fast... successful mission, IDF
And in the end...
I hope you can finally achieve a
Long Lasting Peace
.
AubreyJ.........

Day 9-10-11-12-13- ON Ground Updates, Israel/Palestinian Conflict, January 04-08, 2008

Second Stage of
* Operation 'Cast Lead *
Continues throughout the Gaza Strip
Day Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen - Week Two
Retaliation for Ongoing Rocket Attacks against the Jewish State
Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Post Dates: January 04 - 08, 2009
...

This post moved on top today from Sunday’s original posting - Scroll below for newer post

..

Photo from IDF
.
The IDF operation continued overnight with large infantry, tank, engineering, artillery and intelligence forces operating throughout the Gaza Strip, along with the assistance of the Israel Air Force and the Israel Navy.
.
During exchanges of fire overnight (Jan. 3), dozens of armed Hamas operatives were hit by the IDF. IAF planes struck over 45 targets including tunnels, weapons storage facilities, mortar shell launching squads, and a number of mortar shell launching sites.
.
Israel Navy boats assisted the ground forces and attacked a number of targets including the Hamas intelligence headquarters in Gaza City, rocket launching sites, and Hamas marine force outposts.
.
An IDF officer and an IDF soldier were severely wounded during the night. The families of the injured officer and soldier have been notified.
.
In addition, 28 other soldiers were injured moderately and lightly. The soldiers received initial medical treatment at the scene and were transported to the hospital for further treatment.
.
The IDF will continue to operate against the Hamas terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip according to plan in order to reduce the rocket fire on the south of Israel..

Info from IDF Official Website
.
*********************************
.
Operation Cast Lead: Background Briefing

About Video: Background on IDF's operation "Cast Lead" in Gaza during the winter of 2008/2009. Israel left Gaza in 2005 hoping for peace and a fresh start, but Hamas has destroyed that optimism through its continued support for terror against innocent civilians....

Folks... this is a GREAT IDF Report that you GOT to click out... I think most of us have forgotten just how we got to this point in this conflict in Gaza... by way of IRAN.
Video posted on YouTube by idfnadesk
.
********************
.
Why Ambulances Sometimes Get Targeted By IAF.

About this raw Video Footage: Video shows Palestinian Gunmen using Ambulances as Troop Carriers
Video posted on LiveLeak by barnesy

.
*********************************
.
JerusalemOnline.com
Israel’s Channel 2 News Online
Click out their Daily News Report HERE
(Due to HEAVY Internet traffic, News Video may take a few to load)
.
******************
.
* Here’s some Links out of Israel for you...
Most with 24/7 up-to-date News on this Operation
.
* YNET News
* Arutz Sheva
* Jerusalem Post
* DEBKAfile
* (IDF)-Israel Defense Forces
* (YouTube)-IDF Spokesperson's Unit
* (MFA)-Israel Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
.
******************************
.

Click Banner above to get all the Updated News from the ones making it... The Israeli Defense Forces!

***************************
.
POST UPDATE: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
.
Israeli attack on Gaza school kills 30

About this News Video: UN officials say thirty people, including children, have been killed in an Israeli strike on a United Nations-run school in Gaza. The attack in the north of the region is the single most deadly incident since Israel began its offensive 11 days ago.
News Video posted on YouTube by RussiaToday

*************************
.
Today I Introduce you to...

PJTV - Middle East Update - Jan. 6th -
Richard Landes and Yitzak Sokoloff
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Video around 19 minutes
GREAT REPORTING - Be sure to click it out

****************
.
Post UPDATE: Wednesday, January 07, 2009
.
The Operation Continues: Forces Clash with Hamas Gunmen
.
On Wednesday (Jan. 7), the IAF, IN and Artillery Corps again provided support to the Ground Forces, Armored Corps and Engineering Corps during their operations. The forces struck squads of armed terror operatives, as they were approaching ground forces, and struck rocket launching sites used to firing at the ground forces.
.
In the northern Gaza Strip, in a number of instances, ground forces came under fire from armed Hamas operatives and the forces responded with direct fire. Ten soldiers were lightly injured during the gun battles.
.
Throughout the day, the IAF struck more than 40 additional targets. The targets include, weapons smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip, ten rocket launching sites and pads, four armed terrorist squads, a Hamas outpost, nine weapons smuggling tunnels dug from under houses, a weapons storage facility, and four burrows from which rockets are launched.
Info from official IDF website

************
More updated news to come as Operation continues...
*****************************
.
God’s speed in a fast... successful mission, IDF
And in the end...
I hope you can finally achieve a
Long Lasting Peace
.
AubreyJ.........