Tag Archive for IDF

| August 9, 2013
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Lebanese Daily: IDF ‘Blundered into Hizbullah Ambush’

Lebanese newspaper with connections to Hizbullah boasts “Only Hizbullah can make bombs that blow up Israelis.”

By Arutz Sheva

 

Two blasts that wounded four Israeli soldiers on the border with Lebanon were in fact an “ambush” set by Hizbullah, the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Thursday.

IDF Training – Photo courtesy: IDF Spokesperson’s Office

The explosions hit the patrol on Wednesday when the troops crossed the border into southern Lebanon, parts of which are controlled by the Shiite movement.

“The enemy blundered when they violated the border with Lebanon, and fell into a trap that only the resistance could set,” said the newspaper, which has links to Hizbullah. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| August 7, 2013
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Lebanon: IDF Soldiers Wounded in Lebanon, Return to Israel

IDF Reports: 4 Israeli soldiers suffer light to moderate injuries in an explosion.

Lebanese Army Reports: Israeli soldiers  were 400 meters inside Lebanon when wounded.

By Gil Ronen

 

Four IDF soldiers suffered light to moderate injuries Tuesday night, when an explosion occurred near the northern border, the IDF Spokesman’s Unit said Wednesday morning.

IDF tanks in the Golan Heights - Photo Courtesy IDF Spokesperson's Office

IDF tanks in the Golan Heights – Photo Courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Office

 

The four soldiers wounded were located 400 meters inside Lebanese territory when the blast occurred, Lebanon’s army said on Wednesday.

“An infantry patrol of the Israeli enemy penetrated 400 meters inside Lebanon in the Labouneh area at 00:24 local time,” the army said in a statement. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| August 7, 2013
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President gives 2013 Israel Defense Prize for ‘technological developments’

 

 

Peres & Ya’alon awardes 16 prizes for developments that bolster Israeli defense.

President Shimon Peres said: ‘We are proud of your achievements, count on your ability to produce deterrence capabilities that are on par with security challenges of the future,’

Noam (Dabul) Dvir

President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon awarded the Israel Defense Prize on Tuesday at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem.

A 2011 winner, the Calanit shell

A 2011 winner, the Calanit shell

Also present were IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and senior officials with the defense establishment.

The award ceremony, held this year for the 56th time, awarded those whose work has contributed to State security, both in terms of technology and in terms of combat operations. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: ,
| August 3, 2013
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Cell-phones banned from Paratrooper bases

 

Despite unit commanders’ claims that celphones aid in field maneuvering, new order ban their use.

Cellphones hurt morale, says officer, soldiers don’t communicate when ‘glued to their screens’.

By Yossi Yehoshua

The fiery debate over the place of cellular phones in the IDF exploded in the Paratroopers new recruits base, when the base commander banned the use of cellular phones at the base and on field training, to the unit commanders’ dismay.

Paratroopers drill (Archive) – Photo: Yoav Zitun

So far soldiers were forbidden from using cell-phones when on the field, and were only allowed to use it on the base’s premises, and only on their private time. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| August 2, 2013
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Syrian Gunfire Hits Close to IDF Soldiers

An IDF patrol in the northern Golan Heights was almost hit by gunfire originating in Syria. No injuries reported.

By Elad Benari

 

Gunfire from the Syrian side of the border hit close to an IDF patrol in the northern Golan Heights on Thursday night. There were no injuries or damages.

The IDF believes that the fire was not directed at the Israeli soldiers and was part of the ongoing fighting between the Syrian army and the rebels fighting to oust President Bashar Al-Assad.

Two weeks ago, fire was opened at an IDF patrol near Tel Fares in the southern Golan Heights, after the troops identified two Syrians who entered an abandoned military outpost located east of the border fence. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 30, 2013
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Israel’s Defense Minister hints to hidden pressures in prisoner release

 

At absorption base at Tel Hashomer, Defense Minister Ya’alon addressing new draftees said, “We had to decide between bad & worse”.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
 

 

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon referred on Monday to unseen considerations that are far from the public eye as the main catalyst for Israel’s decision to release imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon visits IDF Home Front Command’s base in Ramle

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon visits IDF Home Front Command’s base in Ramle – Photo: Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry

Speaking at the IDF’s absorption base for new draftees at Tel Hashomer, Ya’alon said, “Releasing prisoners came as a result of choosing a bad option over a worse option… We reached the decision to avoid the worse [option].

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 30, 2013
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IDF’s Iron Dome crew housed in tents in ‘unbearable’ heat

As temperatures hit a scorching 42 degrees (107 F), soldiers manning the anti-missile system in Eilat for the past 10 days are without air conditioning.


Soldier’s family: ‘Does no one in the IDF know about the mad heat wave?’. 

By Yoav Zitun

Despite reports of the difficult conditions that IDF Iron Dome soldiers are subjected to, commanders decided to house soldiers of the Eilat Iron Dome battery, which was deployed there only 10 days ago, in tents and not air-conditioned accommodation. Upon a Ynet query, the military said that the issue will be resolved within the next 24 hours. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 28, 2013
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Polish General accused of unethically preferring Israel-made drones

Poland’s General Waldemar Skrzypczak’s security clearance was withdrawn over his alleged illicit preference based on close personal ties with the head of Israel’s drone manufacturer.

By

 

 

Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister General Waldemar Skrzypczak has been stripped of his security clearance over suspicions that he gave preferential treatment for acquiring Israeli military equipment and over his close personal ties with Yedidia Yaari, the head of Israeli armaments maker Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Skylark drone

A miniature drone, the Skylark. Photo by IDF Spokesman

The Polish Military Counterintelligence Service leveled the accusations at General Skrzypczak as the ministry planned to add a unit of unmanned aerial vehicles, based partly on Israeli-made aircraft, to the Polish Air Force. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 26, 2013
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‘Quiet’ Arrest Turns Into Shootout in Jenin

One terrorist shot & hurt as terrorists & rock-throwers clash with soldiers in northern Samaria.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Terrorists launched an attack on an IDF unit in northern Samaria early on Friday morning, IDF sources have revealed.

Attackers opened fire on IDF troops near the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Jenin. At the same time, other Arab attackers hurled rocks at the soldiers.

Soldiers were in the area to arrest a PA Arab man suspected of terror-related crimes.

Soldiers returned fire, hitting one attacker and wounding him. The wounded man was taken to a local PA hospital for treatment.

The troops managed to arrest the suspect they had come for despite the attack. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| July 25, 2013
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IDF snatches Palestinian suspected of shooting at Israeli buses in West Bank

Palestinian, thought be responsible for past shootings, was seen aiming his handgun at bus passing near Arab village.

By Gili Cohen

 

A Palestinian suspected of shooting at buses in the Judea and Samaria District of the West Bank was arrested Thursday by the Israel Defense Forces.

The gunman's possessions.

The gunman’s possessions. – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

 

According to authorities, an IDF soldier was riding a bus near the West Bank village of Hawara Thursday afternoon when he saw a Palestinian aiming a handgun at the bus. The suspect was about 15 meters away from the bus, the soldier reportedly told authorities. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 25, 2013
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IDF had plans to abduct Hamas military head Ahmed Jabari in 2008

 

The IDF set out to capture Ahmed Jabari alive to use him as a bargaining chip in exchange for captive soldier Gilad Schalit, but Jabari’s car changed direction & escaped the IDF’s ambush.

By Israel Hayom Staff

In 2008, the Israel Defense Forces attempted to kidnap then head of Hamas’ military wing, Ahmed Jabari, to use him as a bargaining chip for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, the Walla news web site reported on Thursday.

Precise hit on Ahmed Jabari . The Israel's air strike destroyed the Hamas commander's car.

Precise hit on Ahmed Jabari . The Israel’s air strike destroyed the Hamas commander’s car & driver.

The IDF later killed Jabari in a pinpoint attack in 2012, about a year after Hamas released Schalit in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 24, 2013
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Generals report: Hamas & Hezbollah rocket threat outpacing Israel’s defensive capabilities

Brig. Gen. reports in a war that could last a month, as many as 1,500 short- to mid-range rockets might be launched at the north alone each day.

By
 

The Israeli response to the rocket threat still lags behind progress being made by Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups, according to a report published this week by Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.

Iron Dome anti-missile system in Haifa

The Iron Dome anti-missile system in Haifa deployed in January. – Photo: Rami Shlush

Brig. Gen. (res.) Meir Elran, head of the institute’s Homeland Security Program, told Haaretz that Israel hasn’t closed the gaps. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , ,
| July 23, 2013
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2012 best year for Israel’s arms exports

Just weeks after serious budget cuts, Defense Ministry reveals Israel’s arms export totaled $7.4 billion for 2012

By Yoav Zitun

Israel‘s export of defense-related products registered an all time record in 2012 totaling $7.4 billion, compared to $5.8 billion in 2011, according to Defense Ministry data.

Iron Dome

Israel’s Anti-rocket system, Iron Dome – Photo courtesy IDF Spokesperson’s Office

The main export destinations were markets in Asia and the Pacific Ocean. The two most lucrative deals were the sale of a satellite and advanced spy planes to Italy.

Shmaya Avieli, head of the Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Department estimated that export in 2013 will total some $4.3 billion adding that Israel is considering new deals with Turkey. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| July 17, 2013
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Syrians Fire on IDF Night-Patrol in Golan Heights, IDF Returns Fire

IDF on regular night patrol of border with Syria in the Golan comes under direct fire, returns fire at group of unidentified suspects on the Syrian frontier.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
 

 

An army force on a routine patrol of the border with Syria on the Golan Heights came under fire and shot back at a group of unidentified suspects on the frontier.

There were no injuries among IDF soldiers in the incident.

IDF troops survey the Golan Heights.

IDF troops survey the Golan Heights.- Photo: REUTERS

IDF soldiers identified a group of suspects who had entered an unmanned military post along the Syrian-Israeli border.

The suspects did not cross the border fence, but were in Israeli territory when they attacked the IDF, an army spokeswoman said. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 13, 2013
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Garage Sale: IDF is selling tanks, missile boats and attack jets

 

As

serious budget cuts force IDF to tighten its belt, weapons and combat equipment will be sold overseas.

Proceeds from sale to be reinvested in bolstering IDF’s technological capabilities.

By Yoav Zitun

 

The multi-year program, Teuza (Boldness), created by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, will turn bases into sales-lots for tanks, armored personnel carriers, warships, combat flight equipment, vehicle logistic accessories, cannons and air force ballistic systems. These items and others are expected to be on the sales block in the coming two years, as part of the cutback program taking place in the military.

 

For Sale

Photo Courtesy: IDF Spokesperson’s Office

 

This will be part of dramatic changes which will be part of the IDF’s evolution into a small, light, flexible, more technologically equipped army than in the past. Continue Reading »

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