Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic Division

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Military-Strategic Information Section // The
Strategic Division
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Defining Trends
The West Bank
In recent months, a rise in terrorist activity in
the West Bank has been identified. In 2010 alone,
over 20 knives and 12 explosive devices have been
discovered by security forces. Assaults against
Israeli vehicles, using rocks and Molotov
cocktails, have increased as well. In one such
incident, Palestinians near Teqoa threw rocks at
a vehicle and injured an Israeli woman
(24/2). The IDF has confiscated a large quantity
of weapons this past month including 9 mines, a
white phosphorous shell, an anti-tank missile,
artillery shells, 9-mm bullets, explosive
devices, and knives. Moreover, Palestinian
attacks continue - as evident by the killing of
an IDF soldier (10/2). Palestinian Security
Force operations continue to improve but their
scope and quality must be increased. Coordination
between the IDF, Civil Administration, and
Palestinian Security Forces has improved.
Together with the Palestinian Security Forces,
the IDF prevented a rocket attack on central
Israel.
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Defining Trends
The Gaza Strip
Efforts to aid the local residents in the Gaza
Strip continue, including transfers of food,
equipment, and medical supplies. This month,
transfers included an elevator for a hospital, a
CT scanner and more. Terrorist activity has
continued. This includes attacks on humanitarian
targets, such as a Red Cross convoy and Karni
crossing. In 2010 alone, over 20 rockets and
mortars were fired at Israel. In response to such
attacks, the IAF targeted suspicious
Palestinians, smuggling tunnels and terrorist
infrastructure (3/2, 9/2, 11/2). A smuggling
tunnel targeted this month was one of over 40
tunnels detected by Egyptian authorities this
past month. The IDF will continue to operate
firmly against anyone who uses terror against the
State of Israel. Hamas and Hamas alone is
responsible for maintaining peace and quiet in
the Gaza Strip.
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Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip
Monthly
February 2010 8 Rockets 0 Mortar Shells
Yearly
Aug 09 Jan 2010 146 Total Launchings
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Humanitarian Support Gaza Strip
Erez Crossing
February 1-28, 2010 Trucks 2208 Supplies (tons)
52,128 Medical Evacuations 1239 Fuel (liters)
6.3 million
Nahal Oz Crossing
Karni Crossing
Kissufim Crossing
Sufa Crossing
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN EREZ CROSSING
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Humanitarian Efforts
February 25th The Coordinator of Government
Activities in the Territories (COGAT) facilitated
the shipment of medical equipment from Israel to
Gaza City hospitals as part of its ongoing
humanitarian efforts on behalf of Gaza residents.
Among the supplies transferred were a CT
scannerthe first of its kind in Gaza Red
Crescent hospitalsbrought to the Al-Quds
hospital, elevator maintenance supplies which
will allow for greater patient mobility at the
Shiffa hospital, and spare parts for a
mammography scanner that provides for the early
identification of breast cancer. Transfers of
medical supplies to Gazas hospitals is part of
COGATs humanitarian effortswhich take place on
a daily basis on all levelsthat are made on
behalf of the residents of the Gaza Strip, with
an emphasis on meeting medical needs.
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Major Events West Bank
February 2nd IDF forces on patrol near Migdalim discovered 19 cases of artillery shells. Near Kalkilya, IDF forces arrested a Palestinian carrying a knife and 3 explosive devices. February 3rd IDF forces confiscated 450 9-mm bullets during an operation in a village near Adura. Approximately ten Palestinian demonstrators rolled burning tires and hurled stones at BGP forces near Kalandia RC. In the process of dispersing the riot, BGP forces injured one Palestinian lightly.
IDF forces arrested three Palestinians in the
West Bank two carrying pipe-bombs and bullets
near Tapuach junction and one suspicious
Palestinian in Hebron found carrying a
knife. An explosive barrel and cellular
detonation system was found near the Palmachim
beach.
PALMACHIM BEACH
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Major Events West Bank
February 4th IDF forces confiscated an
improvised weapon during a patrol near Mavo
Dotan. February 5th IDF forces on a routine
patrol near Shilo discovered an improvised
explosive device. February 6th Approximately
30 Palestinians demonstrated and threw rocks at
IDF forces near Hirvat Tzafa (close to Gush
Etzion). IDF forces responded with warning shots
no injuries were reported. IDF forces arrested a
suspicious Palestinian carrying a knife.
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Major Events West Bank
February 8th IDF forces arrested a Palestinian
with a 25 cm knife near Kalandia checkpoint. An
improvised pipe-bomb was thrown at IDF forces on
patrol in El-Arov village (near Migdal Oz). IDF
forces arrested 2 Hamas operatives with two pipe
bombs. February 9th A community security
coordinator identified a suspicious Palestinian
near Bracha. The coordinator fired a warning
shot, which went stray and lightly injured the
Palestinian. Israeli security forces dismantled
a house and synagogue in Givat Menashe.
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Major Events West Bank
February 10th Palestinian security forces
turned over 9 mines (MK5) and a white phosphorous
shell to IDF forces near Jenin.
A Palestinian stabbed and killed an IDF soldier
at Tapuach junction. The Rechalim community
security coordinator, who was on patrol nearby,
lightly injured the aggressor with his patrol
car. The attacker, together with two other
Palestinians, were detained for questioning.
TAPUACH JUNCTION
11 Israelis threw rocks at Palestinians near
Yitzhar. Israeli police forces arrested 2
suspicious Palestinians with knives. IDF forces
arrested a Palestinian carrying 7 full magazines
of ammunition near Shani.
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Major Events West Bank
February 12th A Palestinian attempted to stab a
soldier on patrol in Hebron. In response, the
soldier shot the Palestinian, who was severely
injured and later died in an Israeli
hospital. February 13th Two suspicious
Palestinians with knives were arrested, one of
them near Kalandia checkpoint. An Israeli
civilian found a mortar shell near Shavei Shomron
and turned it over to IDF forces in the area.
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Major Events West Bank
February 14th IDF forces near Ofra arrested a
suspicious Palestinian carrying a 30 cm
knife. February 15th - IDF forces arrested two
Palestinians carrying 3 explosive devices and a
knife. IDF forces in Bir Zeit arrested a
Palestinian carrying a gun. BGP forces and
Israeli security forces in the West Bank
demolished an Israeli building in Alon
More. February 16th A number of Palestinians
and Israeli demonstrators threw rocks at each
other. The Israeli police arrived quickly and
arrested 6 Palestinians, one who was armed with a
knife. A number of Palestinian demonstrators in
Hebron hurled rocks at Israeli civilians, lightly
injuring one.
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Major Events West Bank
February 17th Israeli security forces
dismantled two Israeli buildings in Revava. Two
Palestinian buildings were dismantled as well
one near Kiryat Arba and another near
Maon. February 18th Four Palestinians were
arrested - two men and a woman were armed with
knives and one was carrying two pipe bombs. An
Israeli civilian found two shells near Ganot and
reported this to IDF forces in the area. The
Palestinian police discovered an armor-piercing
shell and handed it over to IDF forces near
Adoriim.
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Major Events West Bank
February 19th 1200 Palestinians demonstrated
and hurled rocks at the Security Fence near
Bilin, severely damaging the fence. February
20th A number of Palestinians demonstrated near
Kalandia checkpoint, hurling rocks at an army
vehicle and lightly injuring three BGP soldiers.
BILIN DEMONSTRATOR
A group of Palestinians attempted to run over IDF
soldiers near Har Gilo. No soldiers were injured.
IDF forces pursued the Palestinians, who shot at
the IDF forces. IDF forces responded with fire
and 3 Palestinians were injuredone severely, one
moderately, and one lightly. A Palestinian
attempted to run over an IDF soldier. Soldiers
pursued the vehicle and shot at it. One
Palestinian was severely injured and another
Palestinian was lightly injured.
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Major Events West Bank
February 21st Approximately 50 Palestinians and left-wing Israelis demonstrated near Shedma. IDF forces shot warning shots and 2 shock grenades toward the demonstrators. No injuries were reported. Approximately 50 Israelis entered Jericho in order to pray in the towns synagogue. IDF and BGP forces evacuated them. February 22nd IDF forces arrested a Palestinian carrying a 30 cm knife and a pipe bomb near Beqaot crossing.
A rocket launch was thwarted from the West Bank.
The IDF identified a Qassam rocket which was
manufactured in the West Bank and intended to be
launched towards Israel. The detection of the
rocket is due to the successful cooperation
between the IDF, Civil Administration, and
Palestinian Security Forces.
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Major Events West Bank
February 23rd Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated in Hebron, burning tires and hurling stones at IDF soldiers in the area. The soldiers responded with riot dispersal gear. No injuries or damage to property has been reported. Five Israeli vehicles were damaged by stones thrown at them west of Bethlehem.
BURNING TIRES DURING DEMONSTRATION
February 24th A suspicious Palestinian was
arrested in Hebron and was found carrying a
knife. Palestinian security forces confiscated
an anti-tank missile and turned it over to IDF
forces near Psagot. A number of Palestinians
demonstrators near Teqoa threw rocks at an
Israeli vehicle, lightly injuring an Israeli
woman.
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Major Events West Bank
February 25th A number of Palestinian
demonstrators hurled rocks at BGP forces in
Hebron, injuring a BGP soldier. Later, BGP forces
arrested 8 Hamas activists in Hebron. A number
of Palestinians hurled rocks at an Israeli
vehicle near Shaarei Tikva. As a result, the car
flipped over and the Israeli civilian was injured
lightly. Israeli Police forces arrested a
Palestinian carrying a 16 cm knife in Gush
Etzion. February 26th Approximately 300
Palestinians and left-wing Israelis demonstrated
violently near Itzhar. IDF forces responded with
riot dispersal gear, injuring 4
Palestinians. February 27th A number of
Palestinians hurled Molotov cocktails at IDF
forces by Hadar. IDF forces responded with fire
and moderately injured 4 Palestinian. IDF forces
confiscated an assault rifle and 2 sub-machine
guns. A number of Palestinian demonstrators
hurled rocks at IDF forces in Hebron. A
Palestinian was arrested as a result.
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Major Events West Bank
In accordance with an Israeli High Court of
Justice ruling, the security fence near Bilin
will be relocated. Olive trees in the area will
be relocated, in coordination with Palestinian
land owners in Bilin.
FENCE NEAR BILIN
The original routing would have included Palestinian agricultural land on the Israeli side of the fence, including many olive trees. In September 2007, the High Court ruled that the fence route near Bilin should be altered and an alternative routing be proposed that would include the towns land on the eastern side. The relocation of the olive trees and the security fence began. The IDF will continue to operate in accordance with the law and the decisions made by the High Court of Justice.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 1st A suspicious Palestinian was
identified near Kissufim crossing. In response,
IDF forces fired and injured the Palestinian. The
Palestinian was evacuated to Soroka Hospital in
Beer Sheva. Palestinians near Karni crossing
opened fire on an Israeli farmer. IDF forces
returned fire. According to the Palestinian
media, one Palestinian was injured. The Israeli
police discovered a homemade explosive device on
Barnea Beach and in Kshatot Beach in Ashdod.
Also, Israeli police discovered a suspicious
object in Ashkelons Zikim beach. February 2nd
A rocket was launched from near Kissufim
crossing, landing in an open area near Kibbutz
Nirim. An Israeli Bedouin crossed over the
border into the Gaza Strip. He was arrested by
the Hamas and later released. The man, who
suffers from mental health problems, has tried to
cross into Jordan, Egypt, and Palestinian
Authority territories in the past.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 3rd Following the previous days
rocket attack, the Israeli Air Force attacked 2
targets in southern Gaza Strip - a smuggling
tunnel near Rafah crossing and two buildings in
Dahania airport. Palestinian media reports 3
deaths. Egyptian authorities detected 3 tunnels
in the southern Gaza Strip near Rafah. A rocket
was launched from near Beit Hanoun, landing near
Sderot. February 4th An explosive device was
detonated near a Red Cross convoy by Erez
crossing.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 7th Egyptian authorities discovered 5
tunnels near Rafah crossing. A rocket was fired
from near Beit Hanoun, landing by Nir Am. 2
Palestinian fishing boats entered Israeli
territorial waters. INF forces shot several
warning shots and brought the Palestinians to
Ashdod port for questioning. February 8th
Egyptian authorities detected a tunnel near Rafah
crossing. A rocket was fired from near Kissufim
crossing. An explosion was heard near Kibbutz Ein
HaShlosha.
February 9th Egyptian authorities discovered a
tunnel near Rafah crossing. In response to
Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli communities,
the IAF sent 2 fighter planes targeting 4
buildings in the Dahaniya airport suspicious of
engaging in acts of terrorism.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 10th Egyptian authorities detected 9
tunnels near Rafah crossing. 4 suspicious
Palestinians were identified near Erez crossing.
Three were arrested and questioned. One of the
Palestinian was injured lightly from a gun
shot. February 11th A Palestinian fired an RPG
missile at an IDF tank patrolling the Israeli
side of the security fence near Karni crossing.
No Israelis were injured. In response, the tank
fired two shells, injuring the Palestinian. IDF
forces entered the Gaza Strip in order to treat
the Palestinian for his wounds. Palestinian news
sources report that two Palestinians were lightly
injured from the Israeli response. IDF forces
opened fire at a squad of terrorist operatives
preparing to carry out a terror attack in the
area of Karni crossing killing one Palestinian
and severely injuring another. Palestinian media
reports that both Palestinians were killed.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 12th 4 suspicious Palestinians, two of
whom were armed, were detected near Kissufim
crossing. In response, IDF forces fired 12 mortar
shells in their direction. No injuries were
reported. In a separate incident, an explosive
device was detonated two IDF helicopters
responding to the explosion shot at armed
Palestinians in the area. Again, no injuries were
reported. During a patrol following the event,
IDF forces found another explosive
device. February 13th Egyptian authorities
detected 2 tunnels near Rafah crossing. A rocket
was launched from the Jabaliyah RC and landed
near Erez crossing, inside the Gaza Strip.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 14th 3 suspicious Palestinian
fisherman boats entered Israeli territorial
waters. 4 Palestinians were brought in for
questioning. February 16th An explosive was
found and confiscated by IDF forces near Kissufim
crossing. February 17th Egyptian authorities
detected a tunnel near Rafah crossing. February
18th An IDF soldier was lightly injured when an
explosive device was detonated near Kissufim
crossing during a routine patrol. Further
patrolling led to the discovery of another
explosive device. 2 rockets were fired from near
Kissufim crossing. One rocket hit the fence while
the other landed in the Gaza Strip, near the
fence.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 20th Egyptian authorities detected 3
tunnels near Rafah crossing. In response to
rocket firing near Kissufim crossing, IDF forces
shot at 4 suspicious Palestinians in the area and
the IAF attacked the suspects as well. According
to Palestinian news, 3 Palestinians were
moderately injured in the attack.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 21st IDF forces shot 5 shells and a
rocket at a Palestinian suspected of placing an
explosive near Erez crossing. The Palestinian was
injured. Two mortar shell duds were found - one
near Nahal Oz and another by a patrol near
Kissufim crossing. Egyptian authorities detected
a tunnel near Rafah crossing. February 22nd
Egyptian authorities detected a tunnel near Rafah
crossing. An explosive device was detected near
the technical fence by Sufa crossing. February
23rd Egyptian authorities detected 3 tunnels
near Rafah crossing. February 24th Egyptian
authorities detected 8 tunnels near Kerem Shalom.
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Major Events Gaza Strip
February 25th Egyptian authorities detected a
tunnel near Rafah crossing. February 26th IDF
forces shot at 4 suspicious Palestinians near
Kerem Shalom crossing attempting to place
explosives by the security fence. One Palestinian
was injured. February 27th Egyptian
authorities detected 5 tunnels near Rafah
crossing. February 28th IDF forces identified
and dismantled an explosive near Kissufim
crossing. Approximately 1000 Arab-Israelis
demonstrated near the Temple Mount, hurling rocks
at visitors. As a result, 2 BGP forces and 20
Arab-Israelis were injured. 7 Arab-Israelis were
arrested. Tourists identified an old grenade
near Almagor and handed it over to Israeli Police
forces.
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Northern Arena
February 6th Two children accidentally entered
a minefield in the Golan, where a mine exploded.
Both children were injured severely and were
taken by helicopter to Rambam hospital.
GOLAN MINEFIELD
February 17th Three armed Lebanese were
detected near the Kissufit outpost in the North.
The IDF submitted a violation report to the
UN. February 22nd Two armed Lebanese and a
Lebanese tractor and truck were detected near
Kissufit and Misgav outposts in the north. In
response, the IDF submitted a violation report to
the UN. February 25th Two minorities ran over
a soldier near Kiryat Shmona,, moderately
injuring him, and stealing his M-16 assault
weapon.
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International Arena
February 18th The Israeli government continues
its official assistance to Haiti as part of the
global effort for reconstruction in Haiti. A
school serving 400 pupils was opened in the IDF
tent compound left in place after the initial
emergency relief delegation departed in January.
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Around the IDF
February 14th Chairman of the Joint Chief of
Staff of the United States Military, Admiral
Michael G. Mullen arrived in Israel during a tour
of the region in order to meet with the IDF Chief
of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi,
and to attend briefings from senior commanders of
the General Staff. The discussion focused on
cooperation between the two militaries and mutual
security challenges.
ADMIRAL MULLEN AND LT. GEN. ASHKENAZI
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Around the IDF
February 21st An official ceremony marking the
launch of the IAFs new air plane, the Eitan,
took place and was attended by the Commander of
the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan. The
Eitan is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of
flying for over 20 hours non-stop and carrying
hundreds of kilograms of equipment. The Eitan,
developed through cooperation between the Israel
Aerospace Industries and the IAF, marks a
technological breakthrough and a new level in the
air forces ability to operate against threats.
THE EITAN
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Around the IDF
February 21st The IDF commemorated Memorial Day
for Fallen Soldiers with Unknown Burial Places.
The Hebrew date, the 7th day of the Hebrew month
of Iyar, was chosen because on this day, Moses
passed away and was buried in an unknown burial
place. There are 568 fallen IDF soldiers whose
burial places are unknown. The national ceremony
at Har Herzl military cemetery was attended by
President Shimon Peres, Chief of the General
Staff, LTG Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Defense
Minister Matan Vilnai and other senior officials.
LT. GEN. ASHKENAZI, PRESIDENT PERES, AND DEPUTY
DEFENSE MINISTER VILNAI