Archive for September 1, 2012

Hamas takes on Gaza’s Salafists terrorist groups

London’s Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reports the Gaza gov’t is trying to curb radicals’ terror activities fearing Israeli retaliations 

Elior Levy

 

Hamas government in Gaza Strip has ordered its security forces to crackdown on the Salafi groups operating in the Strip, the London-based Arab newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday.

(Illustration) Photo: Reuters

(Illustration) – Photo: Reuters

The order reportedly followed the recent increase in rocket fire on Israel, which Hamas fears may lead to a wide-scale Israeli operation in the area.

“Hamas forces deployed en masse yesterday and raided various areas in Gaza in search of Mujahideen Shura Council operatives,” a Hamas security source was quoted as saying. Continue Reading »

Many Western countries warn tourists: Visit Israel at your own risk

The latest int’l travel advisory warns tourists that Israel periodically conducts military operations in the West Bank & Gaza, with no prior notice, & also advises travelers to avoid demonstrations.

By Ilan Lior

Israel has long starred in other countries’ travel advisories, and reading these warnings isn’t particularly flattering.

The warnings about terror attacks are predictable: Most countries urge their citizens to stay alert while visiting Israel and to avoid certain areas, such as Gaza, the Lebanese and Egyptian borders, and sometimes the West Bank – though no country has yet included a warning about the Iranian threat.

Travel advisories to Israel.

Travel advisories to Israel.

Continue Reading »

U.S. Scales-Back Joint Military Exercise with Israel, Affecting Potential Strike on Iran

U.S. feels a smaller contingent may make it more difficult for the Israeli gov’t to launch a successful pre-emptive strike on Tehran’s nuclear program.

 

Seven months ago, Israel and the United States postponed a massive joint military exercise that was originally set to go forward just as concerns were brimming that Israel would launch a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The exercise was rescheduled for late October, and appears likely to go forward on the cusp of the U.S. presidential election. But it won’t be nearly the same exercise. Well-placed sources in both countries have told TIME that Washington has greatly reduced the scale of U.S.

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IAF Strikes Back at Terror Targets in Gaza

IAF aircraft hit 2 centers of terrorist activity in Northern Gaza in response to a rocket that hit a home in Sderot yesterday.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

IAF aircraft struck two centers of terrorist activity in northern Gaza on Friday night, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported.

The statement said that direct hits were identified and all aircraft returned safely to their bases.

The attack came in response to high trajectory fire into Israeli territory, said the statement.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers and will continue to operate against anyone who uses terror against Israel,” said the statement, adding that the “Hamas terrorist organization” is responsible for any terror activities which are launched from Gaza. Continue Reading »