Tag Archive for IAF

| June 6, 2012
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IDF strikes Gaza in response to rocket fire

Army says two arms caches bombed in response to rocket fire; Palestinians report two injuries. Hamas evacuating military facilities

 

Air Force jets attacked targets in the Gaza Strip in response to the recent firing of rockets at Israel. Palestinian sources noted that Hamas was evacuating all of its military and security facilities fearing additional strikes.

Archive photo Photo: AFP

Archive photo Photo: AFP

It was initially reported that an attack on a base in northern Gaza city killed one person and injured two, but Gaza’s emergency services spokesman denied any fatalities and reported that two Palestinians sustained moderate and serious injuries.

Palestinians searched for survivors under the rubble. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 3, 2012
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IAF Strikes Terror Targets in Gaza

IAF aircraft strike terror targets in Gaza, in response to Friday’s shooting incident which resulted in the death of one soldier.

 

IAF aircraft struck three weapons manufacturing sites in central Gaza on Saturday night, as well as two terror tunnels, one in northern Gaza and one in the south.

According to a statement by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, direct hits at the targets were identified. All Israeli planes returned safely to their base.

The attack came in response to the shootout between IDF troops and a Gaza terrorist on Friday morning. 21-year-old Golani Brigade soldier Netanel Moshiashvili was killed in the incident. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 31, 2012
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Sinai peacekeeping force commander warns of weapons smuggling to Gaza

Commander of the Multinational Force and Observers says SA-24 surface-to-air missiles have made their way from Libya to Sinai, and may potentially be used against Israeli air operations.

The Commander of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai hinted on Thursday that advanced surface-to-air missiles had been found in the region as a result of weapons smuggling from Libya and could potentially be smuggled into Gaza.

Gaza militants - Reuters - May 31, 2012

Palestinian militants of al-Nasser Brigades hold a news conference in Gaza City - Photo by Reuters

At an MFO conference which took place on Monday at Tel Aviv University, Maj. Gen. Warren James Whiting, who oversees the force, said that one of the biggest challenges facing his troops is weapons smuggling, adding that Russian-made SA-24 surface-to-air missiles, which were sold to Libya in 2004, are being smuggled into the Gaza Strip through Egypt. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| May 23, 2012
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US Senate mulls unprecedented aid to Israel

Legislators aim to further expand security aid so as to improve Israel’s capabilities vis-à-vis Iran, Defense News weekly reports

 

כלול בחבילה המשופרת. מטוס הקרב F35 (צילום: AFP)

F-35 Joint Strike Fighters included in deal - Photo: AFP

WASHINGTON – The US Senate is currently reviewing the US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 which passed the House of Representatives earlier this month.

The bill proposes shared satellite intelligence, aerial refueling tankers, specialized munitions and surplus drawdown gear from Iraq.

Iron Dome Photo: Yariv Katz, Yedioth Ahronoth

Iron Dome - Photo: Yariv Katz, Yedioth Ahronoth

A Senate aide said the bill has already amassed nearly 50 co-sponsors and is expected to pass “by a lopsided margin or even unanimous vote” once it reaches the Senate floor, the Defense News weekly reported. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| May 20, 2012
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After 4 months, largest UAV remains grounded

Officials fear prolonged grounding could scuttle sales to France of Heron TP, dubbed the drone “that can reach Iran.”

The Heron TP, Israel’s most advanced unmanned aerial vehicle, remains grounded almost four months after one crashed during a test flight near the Tel Nof air base outside Rehovot.Two panels set up independently by the Israel Air Force and Israel Aerospace Industries, the drone’s manufacturer, are still investigating the cause of the crash and there is concern that the continued grounding will affect a possible sale of the Heron TP to France.
IAI Heron UAV aircraft - Photo: Tim Chong/Reuters
IAI Heron UAV aircraft – Photo: Tim Chong/Reuters

At the time of the crash, officials said it occurred after the UAV performed a maneuver that was beyond its capabilities, causing one of its wings to break off. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 2, 2012
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IAF Strikes Terror Tunnel in Northern Gaza

IAF aircraft strike a terror tunnel in northern Gaza, after terrorists fire Qassam rockets at southern Israel.

IAF aircraft struck a terror tunnel in northern Gaza on Tuesday night, according to a statement by the IDF Spokesman.

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

The attack came in response to recent rocket fire from Gaza at Israeli territory. Earlier on Tuesday, Gaza-based terrorists fired a Qassam rocket at southern Israel. The rocket exploded in an open area in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council.

There were no reports of physical injuries or damages. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 16, 2012
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Israeli TV report shows air force gearing up for Iran attack, says moment of truth is near

‘IAF expects losses, and knows it can’t destroy entire Iranian program’

 

A major Israel TV station on Sunday night broadcast a detailed report on how Israel will go about attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities in the event that diplomacy and sanctions fail and Israel decides to carry out a military strike.

The report, screened on the main evening news of Channel 10, was remarkable both in terms of the access granted to the reporter, who said he had spent weeks with the pilots and other personnel he interviewed, and in the fact that his assessments on a strike were cleared by the military censor. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 6, 2012
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Britain’s Royal Air Force considering purchase of Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle

U.K. looking at the Eitan system, also known as the Heron TP – the largest and most sophisticated drone Israel makes.

Britain’s Royal Air Force has been considering the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel.

Heron TP drone

The Israeli army Heron TP drone, also known locally as the Eitan, flies during a display at the Palmahim Air Force Base. - Photo by AP

The Eitan, also known as the Heron TP, is the largest and most sophisticated drone Israel makes. It is assembled by Israel Aerospace Industries and began operational service in the Israel Air Force two years ago, in a new squadron at the Tel Nof airbase. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 1, 2012
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Israel, Greece conduct joint naval drill amid ongoing tension with Turkey

U.S. Sixth Fleet also participating in the exercise, which includes simulation of attack on offshore natural gas platforms.

Israel, the United States and Greece are in the midst of a naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, in what Greek media outlets are saying is a message to Turkey following frayed ties with both Israel and Greece.

IAF exercise - Greek air force - 1.4.12 - Photo by: Greek air force

IAF exercise - Greek air force - 1.4.12 - Photo by: Greek air force

The exercise, called “Noble Dina,” involves simulations of combat against submarines, air battles and protection of offshore natural gas platforms. The U.S. Sixth Fleet is also participating in the exercise, which the Greek media, which first reported on it, has described as being meant to send a message to Turkey. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 15, 2012
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IAF strikes Gaza targets after rockets fired at Beersheba

Israeli aircraft respond to Grad rockets fired at South, striking rocket launching site, smuggling tunnel; IDF might need large ground operation in Strip, OC Southern Command Russo says.

 

The Israel Air Force struck a rocket launching site in northern Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the southern Strip overnight Wednesday. Palestinians did not immediately report any injuries in the strikes.

IAF plane takes part in maneuvers

By IDF spokesperson

The IAF strikes came after the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire that went into effect on Tuesday appeared to collapse earlier on Wednesday night when Gazans fired two Grad-model Katyusha rockets into Beersheba.

The assessment within the army is that the rockets were fired by small, splinter terrorist groups and not by Islamic Jihad, which was behind the bulk of the rocket fire into Israel since Friday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| March 12, 2012
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IDF Strikes Rocket Squad – 2 Terrorists Killed

IAF pilots eliminated a terror squad preparing to fire rockets at Israel’s southern communities from deep within civilian areas of Gaza.

 

IDF forces on Monday afternoon eliminated a two two-man terror squad preparing to launch a medium range rocket into Israel from northern Gaza.

Pilots reported a direct hit shortly after 16:00 hours. However, non-combatants were reportedly injured in the pre-emptive strike.

The IDF spokesperson’s office said “this case demonstrates the terrorist groups are using civilians as human shields,” and “open fire from the heart of population centers.”

Legal experts say mounting rocket strikes from civilian areas is a violation of the rules of war and the onus for civilian casualties rests with the terror groups. Continue Reading »

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