Tag Archive for Operation Pillar of Defense

| November 16, 2012
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Three IDF Soldiers Wounded by Rocket Attack

3 IDF soldiers were wounded Friday when a rocket hit the Eshkol region.

Terrorists have launched 507 rockets in 3 days.

By Maayana Miskin

 

Three soldiers were wounded Friday afternoon when Gaza terrorists hit the Eshkol region with a short-range rocket. One of the soldiers is in moderate condition, and the other two are in light condition.

They were taken to Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva for treatment.

Since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense on Tuesday, Gaza terrorists have fired 507 rockets at Israeli communities. Twenty-six of the rockets hit populated areas, including at least three that directly hit homes. Continue Reading »

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| November 16, 2012
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EU’s Ashton, Germany’s Merkel & Norwegian FM Eide all say Israel has right to defend itself

German chancellor blames Hamas for escalation

EU foreign affairs chief calls for stop to rocket attacks.

Norwegian FM “It is Right & Important that Israel Defends itself!”

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, REUTERS

 

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both issued strong statements in support of Israel’s right to defend itself on Friday.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - Photo: REUTERS/Kimmo Mantyla/Lehtikuva

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton – Photo: REUTERS/Kimmo Mantyla/Lehtikuva

Ashton added that she hoped Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil’s visit to Gazaon Friday morning would calm the situation.“The rocket attacks by Hamas and other factions in Gaza, which began this current crisis are totally unacceptable for any government and must stop,” she said.

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| November 16, 2012
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Palestinian UN observer repeats call for UN to stop Israeli strikes

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday about Israel’s strikes on Gaza, yet took no action, as Israel threatened a ground offensive in the Hamas enclave to stem rocket salvoes by Palestinian militants.

By Reuters

 

The Palestinian Authority renewed its call on Thursday for the UN Security Council to take action to stop Israel’s attacks against the Gaza Strip, a day after the 15-nation body held an inconclusive emergency meeting on the escalating conflict.

The United Nations Security Council. Photo by Reuters


The United Nations Security Council. Photo by Reuters

“The mobilization of Israeli occupying forces on the ground, including the amassing of tanks, armored vehicles and buses near the Gaza border are cause for serious concern and demand the attention of the international community,” the Palestinian UN observer, Riyad Mansour, wrote to the UN Security Council. Continue Reading »

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| November 16, 2012
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IDF Commanders Prepare Their Troops for Ground Invasion

Thousands of IDF troops gather outside Gaza to begin preparing for ground operations.

By Maayana Miskin

 

IDF commanders began Friday morning to brief their troops in advance of a possible ground operation in Gaza. Thousands of reservists have been called up for duty, and a total of at least 16,000 will be summoned for service.

While troops gathered outside Gaza, terrorists in the area continued their attacks on civilian communities in southern Israel. More than 40 rockets have been fired since Friday morning.

At least two rockets were fired at the city of Be’er Sheva. The Iron Dome system successfully shot them down. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| November 16, 2012
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Defense Ministry to Deploy 5th Iron Dome Battery

Amid constant rocket fire from Gaza, the IAF deployment of 5th battery expedited.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF

 

The Defense Ministry will deploy a fifth Iron Dome battery in Israel on Saturday evening.

Iron Dome battery - Photo: Marc Israel Sellem

Iron Dome battery – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem

The battery, scheduled originally to be deployed in two months time, is being expedited in light of the ongoing security escalations and rocket barrages striking Israel.

The Defense Ministry said that technicians are “working around the clock” in order to move the fifth battery from the test field to the battlefield.

The fifth battery was recently tested for its improved capabilities.The Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| November 16, 2012
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US Senate resolution demonstrates solid support of Israel

The U.S. Senate unanimous resolution backs ‘Israel’s inherent right to act in self-defense to protect citizens against terrorism’

Yitzhak Benhroin

 

WASHINGTON – The United States Senate sent an overwhelming message of solidarity with Israel on Thursday with the passage by unanimous consent of a resolution introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Mark Kirk.

Barack Obama Photo: MCT

Barack Obama – Photo: MCT

The bipartisan resolution, with 62 Senators as co-sponsors joining the two, expressed firm support for Israel’s “inherent right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism.”

“As a bipartisan group of Senators committed to Israel’s security, we express our solidarity with Israel during this deeply challenging period and denounce the reprehensible and indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hamas and Islamic Jihad against innocent Israeli citizens,” the senators said in a joint statement. Continue Reading »

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| November 16, 2012
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Palestinian observer pleads with UN Security Council to stop Israel

Palestinian U.N. observer Riyad Mansour says Israel is committing “war crimes” against Palestinian civilians

Israel’s Ambassador Ron Prosor: Strikes are response; no one complained when Hamas-ruled Gaza launched rockets on Israeli civilians.

By The Associated Press and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Palestinian officials have asked the U.N. Security Council to act to halt Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip. In a closed-door meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday night, U.N. observer Riyad Mansour said Israel was boasting publicly about killing Palestinians after conducting airstrikes that killed Hamas mastermind Ahmed Jabari.

Palestinian U.N. observer Riyad Mansour speaks to reporters following a closed-door meeting of the U.N.

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| November 16, 2012
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Nasrallah urges Arab oil embargo on US for supporting Gaza violence

Hezbollah chief urges action from Arab states saying the US can stop Israeli “aggression” by making one simple phone call.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

 

Arab countries must withhold oil from the US to force them to end support for Israel’s “aggression” in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday night according to the Lebanon Now online news agency.

Hezbollah head Nasrallah speaks at Beirut protest - Photo: REUTERS

Hezbollah head Nasrallah speaks at Beirut protest – Photo: REUTERS

“The US can, if it wants to, stop the aggression on Gaza by making a simple phone call,” Nasrallah said. “Arabs should exert pressure by decreasing the amount of oil exported, or by increasing the price of oil, thus, the economies of Western countries would be threatened and pressure would [force] the US and Israel to stop the aggression on Gaza.”

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| November 16, 2012
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Photo Essay: London, Cairo, Beirut & Tunis

800 Londoners protest in front of Israeli Embassy against ‘criminal Israel’ in Gaza. Other smaller protests held in other parts of UK, as well as in Cairo, Damascus

By Rona Zinman

 

LONDON – Some 800 hundred people protested Thursday in front of the Israeli embassy in London against Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, shouting anti-Israeli slogans. The protesters waved signs reading “Free Palestine,”, “End the siege” and “Criminal Israel.” Additional protests were held in Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia.

Pro-Israel protests organized by Jewish organizations were held nearby.

 

London calling

Cecile, a Dublin resident, explained to Ynet that she is protesting because Palestine is very small and cramped in comparison to Israel and the US. Continue Reading »

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| November 16, 2012
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IDF Has Hit More Than 300 Targets in Gaza So Far

Since the commencement of Operation Pillar of Defense, the IDF has destroyed over 300 targets throughout Gaza.

By Elad Benari

 

Since the beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, the IDF has struck more than 300 targets throughout Gaza, according to a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit on Thursday.

The statement said that during the day on Thursday, the IDF continued to launch attacks on dozens of rocket launching sites in Gaza, causing them significant damages.

On Thursday evening, the IAF launched a second assault wave on Gaza, targeting 70 underground missile sites.

The IDF statement added that IAF aircraft struck several terrorist groups that were involved in carrying out rocket attacks. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2012
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UN Secretary General to visit Israel as part of cease-fire efforts

Ban to meet Netanyahu, Barak & Abbas in hopes of restoring ceasefire between Israel & Hamas.

France says President Hollande in talks with Israeli PM Netanyahu

Lieberman to counterparts: We won’t accept a ‘fragile truce’

By Itamar Eichner

 

Efforts to end Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza are underway: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to visit the region on Tuesday in order to advance a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Ban Ki-moon Photo: AFP

Ban Ki-moon – Photo: AFP

Ban is expected to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah, but he will apparently not visit Gaza. The UN chief is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2012
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Israel Air Force Ready for 2nd Assault: 70 Rocket Sites in Gaza

Israel Air Force launches 2nd assault wave at Hamas as IDF masses ground forces near Gaza.

Gaza is in for unprecedented attack.

By Gil Ronen

 

The IAF launched a second assault wave at Hamas-contolled Gaza Thursday evening, targeting 70 underground missile sites.

IDF armor near Gaza

IDF armor near Gaza
IDF Spokesman’s Unit

The IDF is amassing ground forces near Gaza and preparing for a possible ground assault. Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) told Voice of Israel that Gaza is in for an “unprecedented attack.”

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday approved the call-up of 30,000 reserve soldiers, who can be called into action by the military at any point, the army’s official spokesman said. Continue Reading »

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| November 15, 2012
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Gaza terrorists release 2 long range rockets on Tel Aviv

So far:

1st rocket falls near Rishon Lezion,
2nd rocket toward TA but “doesn’t hit ground”
275 rockets fired at Israel
rockets kill 3 Israeli civilians in South
3 IDF soldiers wounded
IAF strikes 250 Gaza targets
15 Palestinians killed.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV LAPPIN

 

Booms were heard following an air raid siren in Tel Aviv Thursday evening, just an hour after a rocket from the Gaza Strip exploded in an open field outside of Rishon Lezion. There were no reports of injuries in either strike.

Inside view of Kiryat Malachi home hit by rocket - Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Inside view of Kiryat Malachi home hit by rocket – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Pos

The attacks mark the first time the center of the country was hit renewed violence from the Gaza Strip.

Continue Reading »
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| November 15, 2012
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Rocket Victim Was Chabad India Emissary during Mumbai Massacre

Mirah Scharf, the 25-year-old victim of a rocket attack in Kiryat Malachi this morning, was a Chabad emissary from India, killed on anniversary of Mumbai massacre.

By Annie Lubin

 

The names of the three people who were killed Thursday by a rocket attack in Kiryat Malachi have been published, and one of whom, it was just discovered, was an emissary from an offshoot of Chabad, who was involved in outreach in India, and was in Israel on a short visit in order to give birth and pay respects to the Chabad victims of the Mumbai terror attack in 2008.

Mirah Scharf (right)

Mirah Scharf (right)
Courtesy of the family

Israeli political consultant Jonny Daniels, citing an Israeli source and a Chabad leader in Israel, told the news site The Algemeiner that Mirah (nee Cohen) Scharf, the 25-year-old victim of today’s attack, was a “shlucha (female emissary)” to New Dehli, India, who was visiting Israel for the memorial service of Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg, the Chabad emissaries who were victims of a Mumbai terror attack. Continue Reading »

Category: Jewish News | Tags: ,
| November 15, 2012
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Egyptian PM delegation headed to Gaza

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil expected to arrive in Gaza tomorrow for talks with Hamas.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

A high-level Egyptian delegation is expected to arrive in the Gaza Strip Friday for talks with Hamas leaders on ways of ending the current round of fighting with Israel, a Hamas spokesman said.

PM Hisham Kandil speaks to Egyptian cabinet

PM Hisham Kandil speaks to Egyptian cabinet
Photo: REUTERS/Handout .

The delegation will be headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil and will consist of a number of Egyptian cabinet ministers, Taher a-Nunu, spokesman for the Hamas government, announced Thursday.

This would be the first visit to the Gaza Strip by an Egyptian prime minister.

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