Tag Archive for IDF

| June 4, 2012
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Stopping Syria’s chemical weapons from spreading

Analysis: IDF beefing up defenses along border by laying new minefields, fortifying security fence.

When considering the potential fallout from Bashar Assad’s downfall, at the top of Israel’s list of concerns is the possibility that Syria’s chemical weapons will fall into rogue hands, possibly al-Qaida or even Hezbollah.

That is why – depending on developments in Syria – the day may come soon when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will need to make a critical decision if presented with intelligence that the weapons are on the verge of proliferating.

Started in the mid-1970s, Syria’s chemical weapons program is run by the Scientific Studies and Research Center and includes the industrial production of Sarin and VX nerve agents as well as mustard gas, all deployable in warheads that can be carried by its operational Scud missiles. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 4, 2012
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Israel to Unveil World’s Smallest Missile

Israel’s Rafael Defense Systems will unveil the world’s smallest missile at the annual Eurosatory exhibition in Paris next week.

 

Israel’s Rafael Defense Systems will unveil the world’s smallest military missile at the annual Eurosatory “Land and Airland Defense and Security” exhibition in Paris next week, Israel Defense reports.

Spike missile

Spike missile - Israel news photo: PR from Rafael Systems

The Mini-Spike electro-optic guided missile is the first missile to implement an anti-personnel precision attack missile. It has range of approximately three quarters of a mile (1.5 km) and is intended for deployment against enemy forces in shelters or trenches.

The entire missile weighs only 8.8 pounds (4 kilograms) and uses wireless communications to view and guide the missile to its target. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: ,
| June 3, 2012
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Egyptians foil infiltration attempt

Infiltration of 36 African migrants to Israel prevented due to coordination between IDF, Sinai security forces

 

Egyptian forces prevented the infiltration of African migrants into Israel over the weekend. On Friday, an IDF force stationed in the Eilat Mountains detected a group of 36 people trying to cross the border, where a fence has yet to been erected. They then alerted the Egyptian forces who foiled the attempt, unlike most cases.

According to available details, IDF soldiers had warned the infiltrators not to cross the border as the Egyptian officers arrived at the scene and prevented the infiltration.

IDF forces deployed along the border witness shooting incidents involving the Egyptian forces and Bedouins who try to smuggle narcotics, weapons and infiltrators into Israel on a daily basis. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 1, 2012
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IDF Retaliates After Deadly Kidnapping Attempt, Mortar Fire

IDF fire killed 4 members of a Gaza rocket launching cell, and wounded four others, as tensions in the Gaza belt region escalate.

 

The IDF shortly after noon on Friday identified a terror squad in Gaza preparing to fire rockets into Israel and scored a direct hit.

IDF air strike on Gaza

IDF air strike on Gaza IDF Spokesperson's Office (archive)

The Bethlehem-based Maan News Agency said four people were killed and four were wounded in the attack.

The strike came less than an hour after terrorists, also operating in northern Gaza, fired several mortar shells into Israel’s Eshkol Regional Council.

No physical injuries or property damage was reported in the attack. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 1, 2012
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Terrorist, Soldier Killed in Gaza-Area Gunfight

Two soldiers were wounded in the same area about a week ago.

 

A 20-year-old Golani Brigade soldier was killed Friday in a shootout with a Gaza terrorist.

The terrorist tried to infiltrate the western Negev from Gaza and was eliminated during the predawn hours of Friday morning. According to a preliminary investigation, the terrorist took advantage of fog around 4:00 a.m. to go through a hole he cut in the security fence near the Kissufim crossing.

A Golani unit responded to the scene and identified the terrorist who opened fire at the soldiers, killing one. Artillery soldiers fired back, killing the terrorist.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 31, 2012
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NIS 2M Compensation for Botched IAF Rescue

Award will go to the family of Alaa Aghbariya, who fell to his death from an IAF helicopter 3 years ago.

 

The state will pay NIS 2M in compensation to the family of Alaa Aghbariya, who fell to his death from an IAF helicopter during a botched rescue operation three years ago.

Aghbariya, 24, and two other men, all from the Arab village of Musheirfeh in Wadi Ara, had entered a mine field near Sdeh Trumot in northern Israel. A mine exploded and Aghbariya was severely injured in the explosion.

A rescue team and a helicopter from the army’s elite 669 rescue unit were called in and a failed attempt was made to extricate Aghbariya. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags:
| May 28, 2012
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IDF Fires on Smugglers, Infiltrators Wounded

Three Chinese infiltrators hurt in exchange of fire between Arabs trying to smuggle them in and the IDF.

 

Three infiltrators from China were lightly wounded in an exchange of fire on the Egypt-Israeli border Monday.

A force from Givati Brigade’s Rimon unit identified about ten infiltrators, escorted by four gunmen, crossing the border in the Netafim area. After the group crossed the border, the soldiers called out to them to halt and fired in the air. The infiltrators did not stop advancing and the force fired at them.

Israeli-Egyptian Border

Israeli-Egyptian Border - Reuters

The armed men who were in the group of infiltrators fired back at the IDF soldiers. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| May 28, 2012
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IDF documents Palestinian using human shield

Censored video shows terrorist use woman as human shield while planting explosives. Soldiers irked by ‘censorship’; IDF says not all footage taken by military is published

 

The IDF imposed an embargo on a video allegedly documenting a Palestinian terrorist using a Palestinian woman as a human shield, Ynet discovered Sunday.

Footage taken by IDF cameras in the area clearly shows the terrorist holding the woman hostage, carrying her as a barrier between himself and IDF forces.

The video documents an incident that took place two weeks ago, near the Gaza border: Seven Palestinians planting explosive devices north of Beit Lahia were intercepted by IDF soldiers. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 25, 2012
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IDF Rehearses Crossing River under Fire

Engineering reconnaissance unit to use new infantry bridge to ford stream rapidly while under enemy fire.

The Yael reconnaissance unit of Yahalom, the elite Engineering Corps Unit for Special Assignments, rehearsed crossing of a small waterway while under fire from a highly trained enemy, in a unique drill performed this month. The IDF Website‘s Florit Shoichet reported that the drill took place on the Jordan River, near Machanayim.

Crossing the Jordan

Crossing the Jordan - IDF Spokesman's Unit

Several bridges were displayed for top commanders, including a new infantry bridge. Yael forces also demonstrated the use of rubber dinghies and ropes for transferring ground troops acros the water. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags:
| May 24, 2012
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Shin Bet exposes Hebron terror cells

Internal security service says recent arrest of several Palestinian terrorists thwarted attack on Kiryat Arba; indictments filed

The Shin Bet internal security service cleared for publication on Wednesday that over the past few weeks it has exposed, in cooperation with the IDF, a number of terror cells in the Hebron area, Ynet reported.

One of the cells, which is affiliated with Hamas, was involved in a bombing attack, while another planned to kidnap Israelis in Kiryat Arba.

Explosive device used by terrorists

Explosive device used by terrorists

According to the Shin Bet’s announcement, as art of its preparation to kidnap Israelis the Hamas terror cell examined the IDF’s alertness by hurling explosive devices at the fence surrounding Kiryat Arba. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| May 23, 2012
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Military Expert: More IDF Multi-Front Operations Likely

An Israeli military expert says the likelihood is growing that Israel will need to launch more multi-front operations.

 

Israel Air Force Headquarters Chief Brigadier General Hagai Topolansky told a national security conference Tuesday the Jewish State is likely to extend its operations beyond its borders as well.

IAF UAV

IAF UAV - courtesy of IDF

“In the 80s and 90s we operated to deal with situations in places as far away as Iraq,” Topolansky told the audience at the Fisher Institute in Herzliya.

“In the past decade, we went as far away as Iran,” he added. “I hope [our operations] won’t have to be extended any farther [than that].” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags:
| May 23, 2012
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IDF Officer, Soldier Wounded by Terrorist Fire

Gaza terrorists ambushed an IDF unit working near the Gaza security fence, wounding two; both evacuated to hospital

An IDF officer and soldier on Wednesday were wounded in a live fire incident near the Gaza security fence.

The two were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. IDF force returned fire at the location they believed the gunman had fired from.

An IDF official told Arutz Sheva that attacks on soldiers near the fence by Gaza’s assorted terror gangs are “routine” and typically focus on “quantity over quality.”

Placing explosives, sniping, firing mortars, and trying to move antitank weapons into place to fire are “regular” tactics, the official said. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 23, 2012
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Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over ship raid

Turkey prosecutor prepares indictment to seek life sentences for 4 former Israeli commanders, including Ashkenazi, over flotilla.

 

ANKARA – A Turkish prosecutor has prepared an indictment seeking life sentences for four former Israeli military commanders over their alleged involvement in the 2010 killing of nine Turks on a Gaza-bound aid ship, Turkish newspaper Sabah reported on Wednesday.

Israeli commandos raid Mavi Marmara - Photo: REUTERS

Israeli commandos raid Mavi Marmara – Photo: REUTERS

Relations between the regional powers deteriorated sharply after Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara aid vessel in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and killed nine Turks in clashes with activists on board the ship.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 22, 2012
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Ultra-Orthodox, Arabs refuse to join equal draft law committee

The new law will replace the interim Tal Law, which grants draft deferrals to the ultra-Orthodox.

There were no official ultra-Orthodox or Arab representatives present on Monday at the first meeting of the committee tasked with crafting a law governing the draft.

The new law will replace the interim Tal Law, which grants draft deferrals to the ultra-Orthodox. The High Court of Justice has found that law to be unconstitutional and ruled that it cannot be extended once it expires July 31.

Monday’s meeting was a “historic moment as well as an opportunity to change the agenda in the State of Israel,” said Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 21, 2012
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IDF Hosting NATO’s Surgeon-Generals

For first time, IDF Medical Corps hosting senior medical officers from NATO member countries.

As part of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Committee of the Medical Chief of Military Medical Services (COMEDS), the IDF Medical Corps is hosting Surgeon Generals and senior medical officers from NATO member countries from Monday until Friday this week.

IDF rescuers in Haiti after January 2010 Quake disaster

IDF rescuers in Haiti after January 2010 Quake disaster - Photo: IDF

The IDF Website reports that COMEDS is chaired by Brig. Gen. Dr. Rob Van Der Meer from the Netherlands. COMEDS promotes international cooperation between NATO member countries and their partners in the fields of military medicine, disaster medicine and humanitarian medicine. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
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