Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic Division

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Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic DivisionDivision

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Defining TrendsDefining Trends

The West Bank

While Israel, the international community, and the PA keep on working toward implementing security, civilian, economic and movement related improvements, terrorist infrastructure activity continues.

Palestinian Security Force operations in the West Bank continue but their scope and quality must be increased. Arms in large quantities have been confiscated from Palestinians and attempted attacks against IDF forces have not ceased. There have been a couple of incidents involving Palestinians carrying improvised and pipe bombs. In another incident, IDF forces confiscated a mobile phone that has been adapted into an explosive detonator accompanied by 30 bags of gunpowder. Attempted attacks are still noted, as witnessed by the many cases of rioting and rock throwing of the past month. In one such case, on January 31st, Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian petrol tanker who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a checkpoint. The Israeli driver was injured severely in addition to other injuries reported.

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The Gaza Strip

Humanitarian efforts to the Gaza Strip continue, including transfers of food,

equipment, and medical supplies. Nevertheless, terrorist activity has

continued and even intensified. There has been a significant increase in the

number of attacks from the Gaza Strip in January, with a sharp

increase noted in mortar shell launchings – 28 launchings in January 2010 as

opposed to 3 launchings in December 2009. Israel will continue to respond to

attacks as it sees fit. Last month, following attacks, the Israel Air Force

initiated pinpoint strikes targeting an ammunition warehouse in 'Gaza city'

and 5 smuggling tunnels.

Defining TrendsDefining Trends

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Major Events – West BankMajor Events – West Bank

January 4th – During routine inspections near Jerusalem’s Old City, three

Palestinians armed with a knife were arrested. During the investigation, the

Palestinians admitted that they intended to assault someone with the

knife.

January 5th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones near 'Rehelim‘. In a

separate incident, Palestinian rioters threw stones and bottles at an Israeli

civilian bus near 'Karmei Tzur'. IDF forces dispersed both riots.

January 6th –IDF forces destroyed an illegal Palestinian facility near 'Kfar

Kasem'.

January 1st-6th

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January 7th – A carbine rifle was confiscated by IDF forces near 'Hebron'. Later

that day, a number of Palestinians and Israeli pro-Palestinian activists rioted by

'Hebron'. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

2 suspicious Palestinians were identified near 'Karmei Tzur'. IDF forces fired

several shots at the suspects, severely injuring one suspect.

An improvised bomb exploded at the ‘Kalandia’ IDF checkpoint. IDF forces

identified 4 suspicious Palestinians escaping from the scene.

A Palestinian attempted to run over an Israeli policeman at 'Gush' junction. The

policeman fired the shots at the car, which escaped from the area.

January 7th

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January 10th-14th

January 10th – IDF forces demolished 14 illegal buildings near 'Gitit'.

A Palestinian attempted to run over an Israeli policeman by 'Kiryat Arba'. In response, the policeman fired several shots, injuring the Palestinian.

A group of Palestinian rioters threw stones at BGP forces at the ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint.

Weekend January 8th-9th

January 8th – Approximately 250 Palestinian and several Israeli rioters

threw stones at each other near 'Halamish'. Stones were also thrown at

IDF and BGP forces that arrived at the scene. Israeli forces dispersed the

riot, lightly injuring 4 Palestinians.

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January 14th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli

civilian vehicle near 'Pnei Heber'. As a result, one Israeli citizen was injured.

A mock-explosive device was discovered by an IDF mobilized patrol near

'Peduel'. The explosive device was dismantled by IDF sappers.

A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at Israeli civilian

vehicles near 'Hashmonaim‘ and ‘Betar’. An Israeli citizen was

injured in ‘Hashmonaim’ and another Israeli citizen was injured in

‘Betar’.

An improvised bomb was thrown at BGF forces at the IDF ‘Kalandia’

checkpoint.


January 14th

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January 15th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones near 'Ginot Shomron'. An Israeli citizen was injured.

Palestinian rioters threw stones by 'Hashmonaim'. IDF mobilized forces secured the area. An IDF soldier was injured in the process.

January 16th –Two Palestinians with five pipe bombs were arrested by IDF forces by 'Bekaot'. The pipe bombs were dismantled by the IDF.January 17th-21st

January 17th – Approximately 100 Palestinian rioters threw stones at an IDF mobilized patrol near 'Yitzhar'. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

January 20th – BGP forces demolished 3 illegal Israeli structures near ‘Migron’.

A mock-explosive device was discovered by IDF forces near ‘Ofarim’

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Weekend January 22nd-23rd

January 22nd – A pipe bomb was detonated against BGP forces at the

‘Kalandia’ checkpoint.

January 23rd – 200 Palestinian rioters threw stones near ‘Halamish’. BGP

forces dispersed the riot and 8 Palestinians were injured as a result.

80 Palestinian and Israeli rioters threw stones in ‘Rehes Hasela’. BGP forces

dispersed the riot and a Palestinian was inured as a result.

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January 25th-28th


January 27th – 5 Palestinians with a hunting rifle were arrested near 'Shavei Shomron'.

IDF forces confiscated 5 shock grenades, a fragmentation grenade, and a used bomb shell near 'Ariel‘, as well as an artillery and grenade shell near ‘Tul Karem’.

10 kg of explosives, a pipe bomb, and 2 mortar shells were handed over to an IDF force near 'Tul Karem'.

January 28th – A Palestinian vehicle attempted to run over a BGP soldier near the IDF checkpoint in ‘Ein Yael’. The BGP soldier was injured and the vehicle escaped.

An IDF force near the ‘Salem’ checkpoint confiscated a mobile phone which had been adapted into an explosive detonator and 30 bags of gunpowder. The explosives were dismantled by the IDF.

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Weekend January 29th-31st

January 29th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at the

technical fence near 'Hashmonaim'.

January 30th – 4 Palestinians carrying 6 improvised bombs were

arrested at an IDF checkpoint near 'Bekaot'.

A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle by

'Eli'. An Israeli civilian was injured.

A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle by

'Dolev'. An Israeli civilian was injured.

Shots were fired at an IDF mobilized patrol near 'Kfar Etzion'. IDF forces

returned fire at the suspicious points. No injuries were reported.

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Weekend January 29th-31st

January 31st – Palestinian and Israeli rioters threw stones at one another in

the city of 'Hebron'. During the riot, a Palestinian attempted to attack 2 BGP

soldiers. An IDF mobilized force dispersed the riot, injuring one Palestinian.

A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian

petrol tanker near the ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint. The Israeli driver lost

control of the vehicle and crashed into the checkpoint, hitting 3

cars. Civilian security guards shot at the Israeli driver. 6 Israeli

civilians were injured. The Israeli driver was injured severely.

An anti-personnel mine was found by IDF forces during a mobilized patrol

near 'Tirza'.

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Major Events – Gaza StripMajor Events – Gaza Strip

Weekend January 1st-2nd

January 1st – The Israel Air Force successfully targeted 2 terrorist

tunnels near the ‘Kissufim’ and ‘Karni’ crossings leading from the

northern and southern Gaza Strip toward Israel. Palestinian media

reported that 2 Palestinians were injured.

January 3rd

January 3rd – Shots were fired at Israeli civilian workers near the 'Karni'

crossing. IDF forces fired back at suspicious points.

A 'Qassam' rocket hit near the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing.

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January 4th-6th

January 4th – 3 mortar shells were launched at IDF forces near the 'Erez'

crossing. According to the Palestinian media, the Popular Resistance

Committees took responsibility for the mortar shell while the Popular Front

for the Liberation of Palestine took responsibility for the other 2 mortar

shells. In another incident, a mortar shell was launched at IDF forces near

'Kissufim' crossing.

January 5th – The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting a number of

Palestinians who had attempted to fire a mortar shell near 'Kissufim'

crossing. Palestinian media reported that a Palestinian was killed and 3

were injured. The Palestinians were members of the Popular Resistance

Committees organization.

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January 7th – 3 mortar shells hit inside the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing. The

Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility.

In other incidents, 3 mortar shells hit by 'Kfar Aza‘ and 2 mortar shells hit

near the 'Karni' crossing, in Gaza Strip territory.

An anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF mobilized patrol near the 'Karni'

crossing. IDF forces shot at suspicious points.

A 'Qassam' rocket was launched from near the 'Erez' crossing and was

detected hitting near the 'Zikim' junction, south of 'Ashkelon‘.

January 7th

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January 8th – The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting an

ammunition warehouse in the 'Tel Al Hawa' neighborhood of 'Gaza

City’, a smuggling tunnel near the 'Kissufim' crossing, a

smuggling tunnel by the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing, and a

smuggling tunnel by the 'Rafah' crossing. As a result of the

pinpointed attack near ‘Rafah’ crossing, Palestinians reported 3

Palestinians were killed and 6 were injured.

A rocket was launched from Jabaliyah R.C. and hit near 'Erez' crossing,

inside the Gaza Strip.

A rocket was launched from near 'Kissufim' crossing.

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January 10th-14th

January 10th - A rocket landed by the 'Erez' crossing.

The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting 3 Palestinians attempting to

launch a rocket near 'Kissufim' crossing. According to Palestinian media, 3

Palestinians were killed, 2 of them were members of the PIJ Organization.

January 11th – A ‘Qassam’ rocket was launched from near the 'El Bureij'

R.C.

An explosion was witnessed by an IDF mobilized force near 'Erez' crossing.

Palestinians reports indicated that 2 Palestinians were killed and one was

injured in the explosion.

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January 15th - A rocket was launched by the 'Kissufim‘ crossing.

A mortar shell landed in Kibbutz 'Netiv Ha'asara'.

January 16th –Two mortar shells were launched near the 'Kissufim'

crossing. Both mortar shells landed by the 'Kissufim' crossing, in the Gaza

Strip.

A rocket was launched near the IDF outpost of 'Kissufim'.

A rocket was launched from the 'Netzarim' ruins and was detected hitting in

the sea.

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Weekend January 22nd-23rd

January 22nd – A Palestinian was identified crossing the technical fence near the ‘Karni’ crossing. The Palestinian was arrested and shortly released back to the Gaza Strip.

January 23rd – 6 Palestinian suspects and a horse were shot by IDF solders while approaching the technical fence near the ‘Erez’ crossing. No injuries were reported.

January 17th-21st

January 17th – 5 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip. 2 rockets were detected landing in the sea while one of the three other rockets, launched near the 'Kissufim' crossing, landed by the ‘Kissufim’ crossing.

January 18th – A mortal shell was launched near the ‘Kissufim’ crossing.

January 20th – A rocket was launched by the 'Kissufim' crossing.

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January 24th-31st


January 24th – A rocket was launched and landed near the 'Kissufim'

crossing.

January 27th – A rocket was launched near the 'Rafah' crossing and was

detected hitting in the sea.

January 30th – Two explosions at sea were reported. These were later found

to be barrels of explosives which had been deployed by terrorists. The

Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility. In the next few days,

three more such barrels would be found on Israeli beaches.

2 mortar shell's duds were found by Israeli travelers near Kibbutz 'Nir Am'.

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January 12th – A 7.3 Mw earthquake struck

Haiti. Over 175,000 casualties reported. Joining

the international effort, the State of Israel

deployed an aid delegation, consisting of a field

hospital and Search and Rescue mission, saving

at least three people and treating over 1000 in

the hospital.

Other ArenasOther Arenas

January 14th - A roadside explosive device was detonated near an Israeli

diplomatic convoy in Jordan, near the 'King Hussein' border crossing. The

passengers were initially taken to a nearby Jordanian Army Base and were

later escorted by Jordanian Army Forces back to Israel through the 'King

Hussein' border crossing. No members of the Israeli convoy were injured in

the attack.

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January 2010:

6 Rockets

7 Mortar Shell

Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza StripRockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip

Yearly

Aug 09 – Jan 2010

41 Launchings

in January

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0

1

2

3

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

Mortars Rockets

Monthly

6

2

17

913

913

1614

11

3 3

28

05

1015

2025

30

Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan

Rocket Mortar

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January 1-31, 2010Trucks: 1841

Supplies (tons): 40,009Medical Evacuations: 1453

Fuel (liters): 6.9 million

Humanitarian Support – Gaza StripHumanitarian Support – Gaza Strip

Erez Crossing

Karni Crossing

Nahal Oz Crossing

Kissufim Crossing

Sufa Crossing

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN ‘EREZ’ CROSSING

SUMGGLING ATTEMPTS AT THE CROSSINGS (ARCHIVE)

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Around the IDFAround the IDF

Lt. Col. Rabbi Rafi Peretz will be appointed

Chief military Rabbi in a few months and

promoted to the rank of BG when BG

Avichai Rontzki retires from the IDF. The

appointment of the Chief Military Rabbi was

made after consulting with Israel’s Chief

Rabbis and was approved by Minister of

Defense, Ehud Barak. Rabbi Peretz serves

in the IDF as a reserve helicopter pilot.

Newly Appointed Chief Military Rabbi

LT. COL. RABBI RAFI PERETZ

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January 10th – The first international

conference for emergency preparedness

and response took place at the Hilton

hotel in Tel Aviv. The conference

included presentations on handling

emergency scenarios and exercises of

an extensive biological exercise in the

Gush Dan region of Israel. The

conference was a joint initiative of the

IDF Home Front Command and the

Israeli Ministry of Health and was

recognized by the World Health

Organization, who sponsored the event.

The First Emergency Response Conference in Israel

A SUICIDE ATTACK REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

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January 26th – Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi attended the NATO Military Chiefs of

Defense Conference in Brussels. There, he discussed the short and long term

challenges facing Israel, regional threats, and the need for IDF and NATO

military cooperation against the global terrorist threat.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi

January 18th – Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met

with the outgoing commander of the

UNIFIL forces, Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano.

He wished the Maj. Gen. Graziano luck and

thanked him for his contribution. Maj. Gen.

Alberto Asarta Cuevas is the newly

appointed commander of the UNIFIL forces. LT. GEN. ASHKENAZI AT THE NATO MILITARY CHIEFS OF DEFENSE CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS

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January 30th – Lt. Gen. John D.

Gardner, Deputy Commander of the

United States European Command

(EUCOM), arrived in Israel as a guest of

the IDF Deputy Chief of the General

Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, in order

to discuss strategic matters. The trip

included a visit to the IDF Northern

Command and the Holocaust Memorial

Museum.

Deputy Commander of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Visits Israel

LT. GEN. JOHN D. GARDNERDEPUTY COMMANDER OF EUCOM

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The nine Bedouin soldiers who enlisted this

past month to the Golani brigade are a part

of a massive increase in Bedouin enlistment

these past couple of years. The Bedouin

soldiers take part in all units, specifically

scouting. The IDF promotes Bedouin

enlistment to aid integration in Israeli

society. As such, the IDF provides career

counseling advice for Bedouins as their

release date nears.

Bedouins in the IDF

STAFF SERGEANT NASSAR IADAT IN RESERVESTHE FIRST BEDOUIN COMMANDER

Documents

Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic Division