Tag Archive for IDF

| December 17, 2012
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Arab violence near Yitzhar; Hamas cell nabbed & jailed

Yitzhar security & soldier sustain light injuries after being hit by stones; Palestinian shot in leg.

Police & Shin Bet jail terrorist cell caught in Shufat

Elior Levy

 

An IDF soldier and an Israeli civilian were lightly wounded by stones hurled at them near the settlement of Yitzhar on Monday as part of clashes between settlers and Palestinians.

Archive Photo: Noam Moskowitz

An initial IDF inquiry suggests that a Palestinian youth was walking on the road leading to Yitzhar prompting troops to be called to the scene to stop him. The Palestinian resisted arrest and tried to physically attack the soldiers. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 17, 2012
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IDF names its 2012’s ‘Best of the Best’

IDF Chief Gantz to honor 2012 winners of annual military achievement & performance awards in a special ceremony

Yoav Zitun

 

The Israel Defense Force will be holding its annual IDF Chief Honorary Awards ceremony on Monday, when the most outstanding IDF units will be honored for their hard work during the passing year.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz will present the awards to the winning units, according to three main categories: Battalion, Brigade and Division.

The IAF‘s Nachshon Intelligence Squadron won first place in the Battalion Category, followed by the Bedouin Reconnaissance Unit. The Bedouin brigade mostly consists of volunteers and is known for its ability to prevent terror cells from penetrating Israeli territory. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 16, 2012
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The I.D.F. bids adieu to the M-16

Over the past 10 years, more & more active units have taken up the Tavor to the point that the aging M-16 is largely seen as the weapon of reserve soldiers.

By Israel Today Staff

Variation of M-16 -Photo: IsraelandStuff.com/PP

 

For decades the American-made M-16 assault rifle has been the personal weapon of choice in the Israeli army. But that is coming to an end as more and more units look to outfit their soldiers with Israeli-made weapons.

In the early 2000s, Israel first introduced the homegrown Tavor rifle into service with select active infantry units. Over the past 10 years, more and more active units have taken up the Tavor to the point that the aging M-16 is largely seen as the weapon of reserve soldiers. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 16, 2012
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Injured Soldier Evacuated to Hospital by Chief of Staff

An IDF soldier who suffered moderate wounds from a ricochet bullet Sunday was evacuated in the helicopter of the Chief of Staff.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

A soldier who suffered moderate wounds in a training exercise Sunday was evacuated by the helicopter of the Chief of Staff, who had been in the area moments before.

The unidentified soldier was wounded by a ricochet bullet in a paratroopers drill in the Jordan Valley approximately 15 minutes after IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz took off from the area.

Having been informed of the training accident, the Chief of Staff ordered his pilot to turn back rather than make the wounded soldier wait for the helicopter rescue unit to arrive. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 14, 2012
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Gaza border with Israel quietest in 20 years

Senior IDF officer tells Reuters that Hamas took a major blow during Operation Pillar of Defense

IDF source says army won’t keep to surgical strikes in next round dealing with terrorist groups

Reuters

 

Israel’s offensive on Gaza has deterred Hamas from new hostilities despite its claims of victory and the front is now at its quietest in 20 years, a senior Israeli military officer said.

Soldiers next to the border with Gaza Photo: EPA

Soldiers next to the border with Gaza – Photo: EPA

Vastly lopsided shelling exchanges over eight days killed 170 Palestinians and 6 Israelis before the November 21 truce brokered by Egypt.

Hamas, which for the first time managed to fire rockets towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the conflict, says it won in the absence of an Israeli ground invasion that might have toppled its Gaza administration. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 14, 2012
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Reuters claim IDF soldiers beat-up their photographers in Hebron

Reuters News agency claims 2 of its cameramen were assaulted by IDF troops who accused them of working for B’Tselem

Reuters

 

The Reuters news agency is claiming that IDF soldiers punched two of its cameramen and forced them to strip in the street, before letting off a tear gas canister in front of them. One of the photographers reportedly required hospital treatment.

IDF Soldiers in Hebron Photo: Reuters

“The regional brigade commander was ordered to open an investigation,” Israeli Defense Forces spokeswoman Avital Leibovich said in an email.

Yousri Al Jamal and Ma’amoun Wazwaz said a foot patrol stopped them as they were driving to a nearby checkpoint where a Palestinian teenager had been shot dead by an Israeli border guard. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 14, 2012
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IDF Shoots Palestinian who hurled firebomb in Hebron riot

Teenager who threw Molotov cocktail at IDF soldiers near checkpoint sent to local hospital with severe gunshot wound to the chest.

Elior Levy, Yoav Zitun

 

IDF soldiers opened fire on a 17-year-old Palestinian who apparently hurled a Molotov cocktail in their direction during clashes near the Hashoter checkpoint in Hebron Thursday evening. The Palestinian sustained severe injuries.

Day of riots in Hebron Photo: EPA

Day of riots in Hebron – Photo: EPA

Palestinian sources said the youngster was hit in the chest and was evacuated to a local hospital in serious condition. The army said the soldiers operated according to standard IDF protocol for engaging a suspicious individual. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: , ,
| December 12, 2012
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IDF soldiers that were in clashes were allowed to fire, but chose not to

An IDF officer, responding to 2 videos last week,  says the decision not to shoot, despite orders that they can fire if their lives are in danger, was partly out of concern over escalation.

By Gili Cohen

 

Israel Defense Force soldiers involved in recent incidents in the West Bank chose not to open fire, according to an officer in the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division. The officer made the remarks in response to two videos showing recent confrontations between IDF soldiers with local demonstrators in the West Bank, in which the soldiers appeared to be at a disadvantage compared to the Palestinian crowds.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 11, 2012
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The White House May Sell Israel 6,900 JDAM Bombs

The U.S. is considering an Israeli request to buy 6,900 JDAM (GPS) bombs, weighing up to 1 ton each, while Middle Eastern tensions are on the rise.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

The United States is considering an Israeli request to buy 6,900 GPS bombs, weighing up to one ton, as Middle East tensions rise, Defense News reported Tuesday.

The Pentagon notified Congress on Monday of the potential $647 million sale of bombs, the smallest of which weighs 250 pounds.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” said a statement from the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign weapon and equipment sales. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 10, 2012
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IDF Soldiers: Our hands are tied with vague orders

IDF inquiry reports troops chased away by Palestinian mob in Qaddum should not have retreated. But soldier claims the troops being given intentionally vague orders from top brass.

Itamar Fleishman

 

The past week has seen two incidents involving soldiers and Palestinians causing the IDF much embarrassment. An initial investigation of an incident in the West Bank last Friday in which IDF soldiers were forced to flee a mob of stone-throwing Palestinians suggests that the troops did not act in a professional manner.

העימותים בחברון בשבוע שעבר (צילום: רויטרס)

Clashes in Hebron last week – Photo: Reuters

An IDF inquiry conducted by officers in the Judea and Samaria Division determined that the soldiers should have demonstrated resolve instead of retreating. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 10, 2012
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IDF female soldiers fight Hamas vis-à-vis UGA

Female IDF soldiers may be the guiding hand to destroy Hamas. They are staffing the new “unmanned ground vehicles” (UGA) on Gaza’s border.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

IDF female soldiers may be the guiding hand to destroy Hamas by staffing new “unmanned ground vehicles” that patrol the tense Gaza border.

'Guardium' unmanned ground vehicle patrols Gaza border

‘Guardium’ unmanned ground vehicle patrols Gaza border – Israel news photo: IDF

Hamas snipers, anti-tank missiles and explosives threaten IDF soldiers, but the new Guardium Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), which patrols the Gaza fence around the clock, will; save lives, as well as money.

The Guardium is unarmed, but is equipped with 360-degree cameras and a loudspeaker. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 9, 2012
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Friends of IDF event raised over $14 million in spite of no Wonder

Actor Jason Alexander emceed the event in Los Angeles to aid Israeli soldiers, with music from”American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and 10-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan.

By JTA

The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces fundraiser that singer Stevie Wonder pulled out of raised more than $14 million.

More than 1,400 people attended the event in Los Angeles to aid Israeli soldiers. Entertainment mogul Haim Saban and his wife, Cheryl chaired the gala. Saban is a national board member of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder – Photo by AP

Actor Jason Alexander emceed the event, which featured a performance by David Foster and Friends. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| December 6, 2012
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IDF Soldiers attacked by PA Police in Hebron

After Palestinian police began a physical confrontation with IDF soldiers patrolling Hebron, some 250 Palestinians youths began throwing rocks at the IDF force

IDF Spokeswoman: This is a serious incident, we are investigating it.

A riot broke out in Hebron on Thursday after a Palestinian mob joined Palestinian police in attacking an IDF force conducting a routine patrol in the area.

PALESTINIAN SECURITY forces in the West Bank. IDF - Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

PALESTINIAN SECURITY forces in the West Bank. IDF – Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Palestinian police officers and the IDF soldiers became involved in mutual pushing, and one of the Palestinian officers threw a punch. Soldiers used stun grenades to distance the PA officers. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 6, 2012
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F-16 Engines Missing from Israel Air Force Base

The IAF only recently discoverd that several jet-engines have been stolen. The IDF Suspects Arab metal thieves with the help of soldier/s from the base.

By Gil Ronen

 

The Air Force has discovered in recent days that several F-16 fighter jet engines were stolen from one of its bases, news website Walla reported Thursday.

IAF F-16

IAF F-16 – IAF Website

Senior IAF sources said that the thieves who stole the engines had to have been assisted by someone within the base. This determination is based, among other things, on the fact that there was no damage to the base’s perimeter fence. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 5, 2012
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A common destiny of American & Israeli Jews

We live in one of the most felicitous times in Jewish history. Together, we can usher in a genuine Golden Age.

By MICHAEL OREN

 

As someone born and raised in the United States, I get to represent the land of my forefathers to the land of my father.

I have the best job in the world, though sometimes it’s tough.

American and Israeli flags

I have to describe the monumental challenges facing Israel on a daily basis: The tens of thousands of terrorist rockets aimed at our homes. The entire Middle East roiling around us while the Iranian centrifuges continue to spin.

I explain how Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, his government, and the Israel Defense Forces are grappling with these threats and defending the people of Israel. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
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