August 18, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Israel is attacking Gaza with aircraft and artillery fire – 18:30 local time

EDITOR: The new attack on Gaza is now certain

As I write this in Jerusalem, it is clear that the IDF attack on Gaza is hours away. The Israeli government is sure to attack the residents of Gaza, a knee-jerk reaction to the attack by some 20 fighters, 7 who have been killed by the IDF, who may or may not have originated in Gaza, who have caused 7 detahs and some 30 wounded in southern Israel. While Israel must be quite clear that such an attack will be as effective as all the ones before it. More than a measure of security, the coming attack will be an obvious punitive step. Israel does not know any other techniques – punishment and revenge have always been the only measures they have used.

It is a welcome change from the protest which took over the whole country over the last five weeks – the attack in the south, and the reaction against Gaza will be useful in removing the protest from the streets and piazzas of Israeli towns and cities, and may well terminate the process altogether, in an explosion of hysteria and nationalism. The Israeli media is full of rumours about Israeli Jews planning to revenge the deaths by attacking Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Territories, and this may well happen, the way things are at the moment.

All in all, the region is ready for a major collapse of rationality. Israel is gripped in the throes of protest, with the government at a nadir of its popularity, so it will look to gain by a bloody attack on Gaza, as it tried to achieve the same result by posing ‘thoughly’ on the Mavi Marmara issue, when Netanyahu has announced that he is not ready to apologise for killing nine Turkish citizens on the ship during the Flotilla events in May 2009. The events in Syria, far from a conclusion and a departure by Assad, add to the destabilising the region, and the fact that the Sinai peninsula is itself not under full Egyptian control since the January revolution, as the 360,000 bedouins living there are strongly opposed to the Egyptain army, and also to its close relationship with Israel.

The coming crisis which Israel is stoking is motivated by the decision of the regime to stop the planned vote on Palestinian recognition during September 2011 at the UN, is now nearing its bloody conclusion in Gaza. It also means that the PA will be even less popular in Palestine, as the coming attack will clearly discredit its political measures, not leading anywhere with a militaristic, extreme government in Jerusalem which is prepared to shoot and bomb, but never to speak and listen. This bodes very bad developments and the US and Europe will do nothing to stop the coming atrocities. Nothing good will come out of this.

Deadly attacks hit Israeli vehicles near Egypt: BBC

At least six people have been killed in a series of attacks on vehicles in southern Israel, Israeli medics say.

The attacks began when gunmen fired at an Israeli bus that was travelling near the Egyptian border.

Officials said two other vehicles were hit – one by a rocket and one by an explosive device – and that several gunmen died in an ensuing firefight.

It is the first major attack on Israel’s border with Egypt for several years, the BBC’s Paul Danahar reports.

Israeli officials said the gunmen came from the Gaza Strip and had entered Israel through Egypt’s Sinai desert.

“The real source of the terror is in Gaza and we will act against them with full force and determination,” said Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

He also said that the “incident underscores the weak Egyptian hold on Sinai and the broadening of the activities of terrorists”.

The Hamas government in the Gaza Strip denied any connection with the attacks.

But Hamas MP Salah Al Bardaweel told the BBC: “The attack is a natural reaction of the occupation aggression in Gaza.”

‘Glass flying’

Whether or not Hamas are to blame for this attack, Israel will hold them responsible and there is likely to be a tough military response in the coming hours.

Hamas run Gaza but there are a number of splinter groups that want to see a more violent response to Israel and its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

For Israel to come out so quickly after the attack and say they know it came from Gaza is surprising. If they had had good intelligence of their own about possible attacks in Eilat they would normally have issued a warning to people in the area.

That suggests that perhaps intelligence came from another country like Jordan, but came too late to tackle the gunmen before they carried out the attack.

Israeli authorities say the first attack took place on bus 392 carrying passengers between the Israeli town of Beersheba and the coastal resort city of Eilat, about 20km (12 miles) north of Eilat.

Reports say two or three men climbed out of a car as the bus travelled on Highway 12 next to the Egypt-Israel border and opened fire on it.

The bus driver carried on until he reached a nearby military base where the wounded received treatment before being flown to a hospital in Eilat.

No-one was killed in this incident, but Israeli officials say the assailants fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle and a military patrol hit an explosive device.

The attacks are believed to have been carried out by the same gunmen, who were then involved in a firefight with Israeli security forces near the border.

The Israeli military said seven “terrorists” had been “hit”. At least 25 people were reportedly wounded.

Khalid Fuda, governor of Egypt’s South Sinai region, denied reports that any shooting targeting Eilat had came from the Egyptian side in Taba.

The Israeli military confirmed that four soldiers had been “moderately injured and one soldier lightly injured”.

Most people on the bus were tourists, although there are reports that some soldiers were also on board.

A passenger on board the bus described the attack: “I was just talking to a guy sitting next to me and we suddenly heard shots, and we immediately bent over and that’s it, pieces of glass were flying, and we realised some people were injured.”

Initial reports about the attacks were conflicting and confused.

It was earlier reported that an explosion had taken place in the southern city of Beersheba, but Israeli radio later retracted that report.

Seven killed in series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel: Haaretz

Several killed, at least 26 wounded after armed gunmen fired on bus traveling near Eilat, close to Egypt border; IDF trades fire with gunmen; mortars are fired from Egyptian border; IDF kills several terrorists.

Seven people were killed and at least 26 people were wounded Thursday in a series of terrorist attacks on Israeli targets approximately 20 kilometers north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt.

The first attack, at around 12 P.M., was a drive-by shooting targeting Egged bus 392 traveling from Be’er Sheva to Eilat, near the Netafim junction.

Shortly afterward, IDF forces rushed to the scene and were faced with several explosive devices that were detonated alongside an IDF vehicle.

At approximately 12:35, a mortar was fired from Egypt to Israel. No casualties were reported.

At 1:10 P.M., a terrorist cell fired an anti-tank missile at a private vehicle, wounding seven.

Minutes later, another cell fired an anti-tank missile at a private vehicle, killing six.

The IDF Spokesman reported that two to four terrorists were killed during the clashes.

According to reports, the terrorists in the car opened fire at the Egged bus, which carried a significant number of soldiers leaving their bases for the weekend.

In the aftermath of the first attack, Israeli security forces launched a search for the vehicle thought to have transported the gunmen, setting up barricades in the area. A firefight erupted once the IDF troops caught up with the vehicle, in which several of the armed men were killed.

Two IDF helicopters were called to the scene in order to evacuate those wounded to Yoseftal hospital in Eilat and to Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva.

Officer who defended beating Palestinians to take over infantry: Haaretz

Col. Itai Virov, head of the Kfir infantry brigade, was censured by IDF Central Command chief Gadi Shamni, was subject to criminal investigation against him before closing the case for lack of evidence.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz plans to promote a colonel who has been censured for justifying the use of violence on Palestinians to become the top commander of the infantry and paratrooper corps.

Col. Itai Virov, head of the Kfir infantry brigade, was censured by Israel Defense Forces Central Command chief Gadi Shamni, and the IDF opened a criminal investigation against him before closing the case for lack of evidence. The promotion would carry with it a rank of brigadier general.

Virov’s most controversial statements were delivered when he testified in 2009 in military court, during the trial of Lieutenant Adam Malul, who was convicted of assaulting Palestinians. In his testimony in military court, Virov stated that “a slap, sometimes a blow to the neck or chest, or sometimes choking to calm down [a suspect], is reasonable.”

Virov stressed that the extent of violence required should be in proportion to circumstances. Under certain situations, he testified, “a blow can be a grave transgression, whereas in another situation it is an integral part of carrying out an assignment.”

In response to the outcry following his statements, Virov issued clarifications, claiming that his remarks “were not understood properly.” He stated that “things should be understood precisely, so that in the field we behave with values.” He added that Malul’s behavior “was mistaken.”

As a result of the controversy surrounding his statements, Virov was passed over for promotions for the past two years, during which he studied at the national security college. He also served as commander of a reserve unit he had headed in the past over this period.

Virov’s attorney, Oded Savoray, pointed out yesterday that the IDF closed its criminal investigation of Virov.

“Though statements made by [Virov] in the courtroom were taken a certain way, the IDF investigation showed that Col. Virov did not use violence; nor did he give orders for the use of such violence.”

Haim Erlich, director general of the human rights organization Yesh Din, stated that “the promotion of someone who justified the beating-up of innocent civilians shows that the IDF has not come to terms with the importance of attitudes displayed toward a civilian Palestinian population.”

Hamas braces for IDF retaliation: YNet

Terror group vacates HQ after Barak announces Gaza to be ‘severely hit’ in response to terror attacks

Palestinian sources reported Wednesday that Hamas’ interior minister has ordered the the security forces headquarters in Gaza to be immediately evacuated for fear of IDF retaliation for the multiple terror attacks on the south, where at least seven people were killed and about 30 were injured.

It was also reported that Israel closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing without further notice. The central cargo channel was shut immediately after the terror attack.

Hamas voiced concerns that Israel “is trying to export the crisis that has befallen it, and transfer it to Gaza.”

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that harsh retaliation is to follow, saying while visiting the south that “Gaza is a source of terror, and we will take full-force action against them.”

“There will be a price tag to this event,” he said. “Gaza will be severely hit. It is clear that the plan (for the attack) came from terror organizations in Gaza…The IDF will soon prepare for a response.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conferred with Barak earlier over security issues. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the attack was “a planned terror event.”

Around noon Thursday an Egged bus traveling from Beersheba to Eilat was ambushed by a three-man terror cell. Over a dozen people were wounded in the attack, which took place on Highway 12, about 30km north of Eilat, near the Ein Netafim junction.

Soon after that a second incident was reported, involving multiple roadside bombs and rocket fire at IDF forces patrolling the Israel-Egypt border fence.

A third incident was reported at around 1pm, involving yet another shooting on a bus and a private vehicle traveling south. Five people reportedly suffered mortal wounds in the attack.

Israelis killed in attacks near Egypt border: Guardian

Gunmen attack a bus carrying soldiers, a car and a military patrol near southern resort of Eilat

Israeli bus attacked near border with Egypt. Link to this video
At least five people have been killed in a series of attacks in southern Israel near the resort town of Eilat.

The attacks hit a bus carrying off-duty soldiers back from their bases, a passenger car and a military patrol.

An Israeli military statement said a “large number” of assailants were working in multiple squads.

“Terrorists fired at a bus on its way to Eilat and fired an anti-tank rocket at another vehicle. At the same time, a military patrol hit an explosive device,” it said.

A television station, Channel 10, later reported a fourth attack. There was no immediate confirmation from Israeli officials.

Reports from the first attack said a vehicle followed the bus, then two to three gunmen got out and opened fire with automatic weapons. The assailants fled with Israeli security forces in pursuit and a gun battle followed.

The second attack, which rescue services said was on a passenger car, happened close to the site of the earlier ambush.

Haaretz reported that in addition mortars were fired from the Egyptian side of the border.

Israel’s military spokesman, Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai, said soldiers had been targeted by heavy weapons and explosive devices. He said civilians and soldiers were among the casualties.

TV footage showed the bus pulled over by a red rocky cliff. Windows and a door of the bus were shattered, and soldiers were patrolling the area on foot.

The picture is very confused at the moment. Roads in the area and the local airport have been closed, and the Israeli media is reporting a big manhunt is under way.

The ambush will fuel concerns that Egyptian security forces are losing control of the Sinai desert region bordering southern Israel following the removal of the longtime president, Hosni Mubarak, earlier this year.

According to Israeli security officials, the Sinai has long been a base for militant activity and the smuggling of arms to Palestinian groups in Gaza. The Egyptian military launched an operation earlier this week targeted at militant cells in the Sinai.

“The incident underscores the weak Egyptian hold on Sinai and the broadening of the activities of terrorists,” the Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, said in a statement. “The real source of the terror is in Gaza and we will act against them with full force and determination.”

A Hamas official, Ahmed Yousef, told the German DPA press agency the group welcomed the attacks but he did not believe it was behind them.

Terror continues: Two gravely hurt by fresh gunfire hours after deadly attacks: Haaretz

Gunfire began during a press conference by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF chief Benny Gantz, at the scene of the attacks; ‘Iron Dome’ system intercepts rocket from Gaza Strip.

Two people were critically wounded Thursday evening when gunfire erupted close to the site of a deadly series of terror attacks earlier in the day in which seven people had been killed.

The gunfire began during a press conference by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF chief Benny Gantz, at the scene of the attacks.

A short time before the renewed gunfire, IDF aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip, killing at least six people, including senior commander in the Popular Resistance Committees, Kamal Abu Abed al-Nairab.

Seven people were killed and dozens more were wounded in the apparently coordinated series of gun attacks and artillery strikes approximately 20 kilometers north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt.