1. Long-Range Rocket Fired at Yavne
by Hana Levi Julian
Military censors cleared for publication Tuesday the news that Gaza terrorists for the first time unleashed long-range Grad-type 122-mm. Katyusha rockets a day earlier in attacks on the cities of Ashdod and Yavneh.
According to an IDF spokesperson, one of the missiles exploded on the southern outskirts of the city of Yavneh, approximately 9-10 km north of the port city of Ashdod, and "the furthest a missile has reached from Gaza."
Yavneh, which is more than 40 kilometers from Gaza, is only 15 kilometers south of Tel Aviv.
Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a second missile of the same type was also used in the attack on Ashdod, home to the nation's second-largest port.
"The rockets were advanced Grad-type missiles," Rosenfeld said, "the longest-range rockets that have been fired to date as far as we are concerned." Until this point, Hamas terrorists have launched medium-range Grad-type Katyusha rockets at Israel, which have had the capability of reaching only as far as the port city of Ashkelon.
Western Negev under Siege
Rocket barrages continued Tuesday on the western Negev city of Sderot, located less than one kilometer from Gaza.
A house in the center of the city sustained a direct hit from a Kassam rocket during the late morning hours. One man suffered shrapnel wounds in the face during the attacks, and three other people were treated for severe emotional trauma.
Sderot residents again raced for cover about two hours later as two short-range Kassam rockets exploded in open areas around the city. A third rocket landed near a kibbutz in the Sha'ar HaNegev region, and a fourth slammed into an open area next to a kibbutz in the Sdot Negev region as well. Kassams also fell near Ofakim and a community in the Eshkol region.
Gaza terrorists also managed to shoot themselves as well; a rocket launched by Hamas operatives fell short and exploded inside the terrorist-controlled region. No Israeli citizens were injured in the attacks, and no damage was reported.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Military censors cleared for publication Tuesday the news that Gaza terrorists for the first time unleashed long-range Grad-type 122-mm. Katyusha rockets a day earlier in attacks on the cities of Ashdod and Yavneh.
According to an IDF spokesperson, one of the missiles exploded on the southern outskirts of the city of Yavneh, approximately 9-10 km north of the port city of Ashdod, and "the furthest a missile has reached from Gaza."
Yavneh, which is more than 40 kilometers from Gaza, is only 15 kilometers south of Tel Aviv.
Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a second missile of the same type was also used in the attack on Ashdod, home to the nation's second-largest port.
"The rockets were advanced Grad-type missiles," Rosenfeld said, "the longest-range rockets that have been fired to date as far as we are concerned." Until this point, Hamas terrorists have launched medium-range Grad-type Katyusha rockets at Israel, which have had the capability of reaching only as far as the port city of Ashkelon.
Western Negev under Siege
Rocket barrages continued Tuesday on the western Negev city of Sderot, located less than one kilometer from Gaza.
A house in the center of the city sustained a direct hit from a Kassam rocket during the late morning hours. One man suffered shrapnel wounds in the face during the attacks, and three other people were treated for severe emotional trauma.
Sderot residents again raced for cover about two hours later as two short-range Kassam rockets exploded in open areas around the city. A third rocket landed near a kibbutz in the Sha'ar HaNegev region, and a fourth slammed into an open area next to a kibbutz in the Sdot Negev region as well. Kassams also fell near Ofakim and a community in the Eshkol region.
Gaza terrorists also managed to shoot themselves as well; a rocket launched by Hamas operatives fell short and exploded inside the terrorist-controlled region. No Israeli citizens were injured in the attacks, and no damage was reported.
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2. Israeli Cities Hit,IAF Bombards
by INN Staff
IAF pilots continued to bombard Hamas targets in Gaza on Tuesday morning as Operation Cast Lead entered its fourth day.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak expanded the "special situation" status to all southern communities within a 30-kilometer radius of Gaza, allowing Home Front Command to determine openings and closings of schools, factories and other establishments and events.
Among the cities included on the list, for the first time, was the port city of Ashdod, which was hit by missiles which killed an Israeli woman on Monday evening, as well as Ashkelon, where a construction worker was killed in a missile attack earlier that day. Ashdod is Israel's fifth largest city with over 200,000 residents. Other towns and cities may be added to the list in the coming days.
A Katyusha rocket also exploded in Ashkelon late Monday night, narrowly missing a gas station at a major intersection in the port city. The site of the blast also was very close to a police station. The attack knocked out electricity and forced an abrupt halt to wedding and bar mitzvah celebrations that were taking place in the area.
Preparations Continue for Ground Offensive
Israel continues to prepare for an eventual ground offensive, although the order to move in to Gaza has not yet been given.
Tanks and half-tracks slowly made their way down the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway throughout the day on Monday as officials authorized the call-up of 6,500 reservists. Combat and armored forces have been massing near the security barrier with Gaza, and the area along the border on Monday was declared a closed military zone.
Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai announced the IDF "has made preparations for long weeks of action," and Home Front Command has continued to update media outlets in all major languages with instructions to the general public.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni reiterated in an interview with Arab news outlet Al-Jazeera that the military offensive was aimed at the Hamas terrorist organization, and not Arab residents of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. She also urged civilians to flee to safety and take refuge in areas away from potential IDF targets – that is, places where Hamas might be storing bombs and other ordnance.
"We tried to avoid this," she told the Arab news outlet. "You know that Israel accepted the truce that was initiated by the Egyptians in order to create peace and quiet. We adopted the truce. What have we got in return? We got in return daily attacks, we got in return smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip with long-range [capabilitie," she said.
If launched, a ground operation could be carried out in a number of different ways, including lightning in-and-out strikes, as opposed to a straight invasion, said military officials.
Israel is committed to continuing the attack until Gaza terrorist groups are willing to surrender, and end rocket and mortar attacks on Jewish communities in the south, permanently. Hamas, which rules Gaza, has announced it will continue the fight, and rocket and mortar attacks on Israel indeed continued throughout the night and into Tuesday morning.
In addition to the two civilian casualties on Monday, an IDF soldier was killed, and five soldiers wounded, one seriously, in a mortar attack on an army base near the Nahal Oz Crossing into Gaza late Monday night. This was the first fatal attack on an IDF base since the current offensive began.
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by INN Staff
IAF pilots continued to bombard Hamas targets in Gaza on Tuesday morning as Operation Cast Lead entered its fourth day.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak expanded the "special situation" status to all southern communities within a 30-kilometer radius of Gaza, allowing Home Front Command to determine openings and closings of schools, factories and other establishments and events.
Among the cities included on the list, for the first time, was the port city of Ashdod, which was hit by missiles which killed an Israeli woman on Monday evening, as well as Ashkelon, where a construction worker was killed in a missile attack earlier that day. Ashdod is Israel's fifth largest city with over 200,000 residents. Other towns and cities may be added to the list in the coming days.
A Katyusha rocket also exploded in Ashkelon late Monday night, narrowly missing a gas station at a major intersection in the port city. The site of the blast also was very close to a police station. The attack knocked out electricity and forced an abrupt halt to wedding and bar mitzvah celebrations that were taking place in the area.
Preparations Continue for Ground Offensive
Israel continues to prepare for an eventual ground offensive, although the order to move in to Gaza has not yet been given.
Tanks and half-tracks slowly made their way down the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway throughout the day on Monday as officials authorized the call-up of 6,500 reservists. Combat and armored forces have been massing near the security barrier with Gaza, and the area along the border on Monday was declared a closed military zone.
Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai announced the IDF "has made preparations for long weeks of action," and Home Front Command has continued to update media outlets in all major languages with instructions to the general public.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni reiterated in an interview with Arab news outlet Al-Jazeera that the military offensive was aimed at the Hamas terrorist organization, and not Arab residents of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. She also urged civilians to flee to safety and take refuge in areas away from potential IDF targets – that is, places where Hamas might be storing bombs and other ordnance.
"We tried to avoid this," she told the Arab news outlet. "You know that Israel accepted the truce that was initiated by the Egyptians in order to create peace and quiet. We adopted the truce. What have we got in return? We got in return daily attacks, we got in return smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip with long-range [capabilitie," she said.
If launched, a ground operation could be carried out in a number of different ways, including lightning in-and-out strikes, as opposed to a straight invasion, said military officials.
Israel is committed to continuing the attack until Gaza terrorist groups are willing to surrender, and end rocket and mortar attacks on Jewish communities in the south, permanently. Hamas, which rules Gaza, has announced it will continue the fight, and rocket and mortar attacks on Israel indeed continued throughout the night and into Tuesday morning.
In addition to the two civilian casualties on Monday, an IDF soldier was killed, and five soldiers wounded, one seriously, in a mortar attack on an army base near the Nahal Oz Crossing into Gaza late Monday night. This was the first fatal attack on an IDF base since the current offensive began.
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3. IDF Preparing Ground Offensive
by Hillel Fendel
Large Israeli forces – tanks, infantry, engineer corps, artillery and more – are waiting just outside Gaza for the order to enter. It is felt that the great successes of the three-day air campaign have begun - or are soon to begin - yielding diminishing returns, and that a ground offensive will be necessary.
The precise objectives of such an attack have not been publicized, however, other than the neutralization of rocket-launching sites. Strategic terror points, including mosques that shelter weapons and ammunition, will also be targeted.
“We will reach places [in Ga that the Palestinians never expected,” an unidentified senior IDF officer told NRG-Maariv.
“We do not intend to bring in masses of forces,” the officer said, “which would become targets within [enemy territory The objective is rather to activate forces that will quickly and constantly move from one place to another. We have artillery, precise-fire weapons, and other surprises.” The IDF carried out a practice run for a ground offensive of this type two weeks ago.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak implied on Monday, however, that the offensive might not happen if Hamas stops firing rockets at Israel. Hamas fired some 60 rockets yesterday, including about a dozen in the evening hours.
The area around Gaza was declared a closed military zone on Monday evening – largely to prevent journalists from entering. In the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Hizbullah learned much about Israel’s deployment from media reports.
A source in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office said that a ground operation in Gaza would be limited in time and would have “clear and focused objectives.” These apparently do not include a total stoppage to rocket attacks – which is considered nearly impossible – and the toppling of the Hamas regime. Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu, who is taking part in Israel's public relations efforts, said that these are precisely the two issues that should be the declared objectives of the current fighting.
The IDF is well aware that the terrorists' fighting forces in Gaza have utilized the past two years, and particularly the six-month ceasefire that Hamas ended earlier this month, to become practically a full-fledged army. Numbering some 20,000 fighters, the terrorist army is divided into regions – northern Gaza, Gaza City, central Gaza, Khan Yunis, and southern Gaza – and has a clearly-defined chain of command. It also has infantry units, a naval force, bomb-placing and rocket-launching teams, an intelligence unit and more. Hamas has also benefited from training in Iran, as well as a steady influx of heavy weapons and ammunition from Iran and Lebanon over this period.
In preparation for an IDF ground operation, the terrorists have filled tunnels with explosives, hidden large bombs on travel routes, booby-trapped homes and more.
“We are not taking the threat lightly,” IDF sources say, “and we are preparing ourselves accordingly.”
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by Hillel Fendel
Large Israeli forces – tanks, infantry, engineer corps, artillery and more – are waiting just outside Gaza for the order to enter. It is felt that the great successes of the three-day air campaign have begun - or are soon to begin - yielding diminishing returns, and that a ground offensive will be necessary.
The precise objectives of such an attack have not been publicized, however, other than the neutralization of rocket-launching sites. Strategic terror points, including mosques that shelter weapons and ammunition, will also be targeted.
“We will reach places [in Ga that the Palestinians never expected,” an unidentified senior IDF officer told NRG-Maariv.
“We do not intend to bring in masses of forces,” the officer said, “which would become targets within [enemy territory The objective is rather to activate forces that will quickly and constantly move from one place to another. We have artillery, precise-fire weapons, and other surprises.” The IDF carried out a practice run for a ground offensive of this type two weeks ago.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak implied on Monday, however, that the offensive might not happen if Hamas stops firing rockets at Israel. Hamas fired some 60 rockets yesterday, including about a dozen in the evening hours.
The area around Gaza was declared a closed military zone on Monday evening – largely to prevent journalists from entering. In the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Hizbullah learned much about Israel’s deployment from media reports.
A source in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office said that a ground operation in Gaza would be limited in time and would have “clear and focused objectives.” These apparently do not include a total stoppage to rocket attacks – which is considered nearly impossible – and the toppling of the Hamas regime. Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu, who is taking part in Israel's public relations efforts, said that these are precisely the two issues that should be the declared objectives of the current fighting.
The IDF is well aware that the terrorists' fighting forces in Gaza have utilized the past two years, and particularly the six-month ceasefire that Hamas ended earlier this month, to become practically a full-fledged army. Numbering some 20,000 fighters, the terrorist army is divided into regions – northern Gaza, Gaza City, central Gaza, Khan Yunis, and southern Gaza – and has a clearly-defined chain of command. It also has infantry units, a naval force, bomb-placing and rocket-launching teams, an intelligence unit and more. Hamas has also benefited from training in Iran, as well as a steady influx of heavy weapons and ammunition from Iran and Lebanon over this period.
In preparation for an IDF ground operation, the terrorists have filled tunnels with explosives, hidden large bombs on travel routes, booby-trapped homes and more.
“We are not taking the threat lightly,” IDF sources say, “and we are preparing ourselves accordingly.”
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4. Arab Girl Blames Hamas for Dead
by Baruch Gordon
A young Arab girl whose family members were killed Sunday in Gaza says in a TV interview, "I say Hamas is the cause of all wars."
In a Dec. 29 Al-Aqsa TV interview, the girl told of how she woke in the morning and part of her room had collapsed:
"We were sleeping 7 girls in the room. We were asleep and didn't know what was happening. In the morning all the bricks were on top of my head, and the heads of all my sisters. My 4 year old sister next to me was dead."
"In the other room were my mother, my father, my younger brother and another sister, who is 13 days old. I say, Hamas is the cause, in the first place, of all wars."
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas) Dec. 29,
Al-Aqsa TV is controlled by the Hamas terrorist organization. The interview was translated into English by Palestinian Media Watch.
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by Baruch Gordon
A young Arab girl whose family members were killed Sunday in Gaza says in a TV interview, "I say Hamas is the cause of all wars."
In a Dec. 29 Al-Aqsa TV interview, the girl told of how she woke in the morning and part of her room had collapsed:
"We were sleeping 7 girls in the room. We were asleep and didn't know what was happening. In the morning all the bricks were on top of my head, and the heads of all my sisters. My 4 year old sister next to me was dead."
"In the other room were my mother, my father, my younger brother and another sister, who is 13 days old. I say, Hamas is the cause, in the first place, of all wars."
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas) Dec. 29,
Al-Aqsa TV is controlled by the Hamas terrorist organization. The interview was translated into English by Palestinian Media Watch.
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5. Attacks Continue, Ofakim Hit
by Maayana Miskin
Attacks from Gaza continued on Monday night. Terrorists hit the cities of Yavne and Ofakim for the first time. Military experts say the cities lie at the outer reach of Hamas' rocket range.
One man was moderately wounded in the Ofakim strike, and six suffered shock. Rockets hit Sderot and Netivot as well, but did not cause injury. Explosions were heard in Ashkelon, and at least two mortar shells were fired at towns in the Eshkol region.
A total of approximately 90 rockets hit southern Israel on Monday. Three people were killed: Hani Elmahadi was killed in Ashkelon in the morning, Irit Sheetrit was killed in Ashdod at night and an as of yet unidentified soldier was killed in Nahal Oz. Two people were badly wounded in rocket attacks over the course of the day, six were moderately wounded and 23 were lightly wounded.
Sheetrit, 39, was driving with her sister when the “Color Red” rocket warning system sounded. The two exited their car and took shelter in a nearby bus stop, as suggested by government guidelines. The rocket landed nearby, and Sheetrit was critically wounded. Her sister Ayelet was wounded as well.
Sheetrit is survived by her husband and four children.
Israel continued to attack targets in Gaza, blasting buildings near the Hamas parliament in Gaza City. No casualties were reported.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday night to discuss the situation. Following the meeting Olmert did not detail the government's plans, but said, “We're not talking about an exit strategy anymore, but working to obtain our goals in the Gaza operation. We're continuing according to the original plan.”
As Gaza terrorists continue their attacks, Israel's strikes on Hamas will become more aggressive, Olmert said.
Gaza terrorists expressed confidence in an interview with Ynet on Monday night, saying they have the public's backing. Israel's attempts to win Gaza residents over by sending messages blaming Hamas and other terrorist groups for the situation in the area will fail, said one group's spokesman. “They don't hear the cries of 'Allah is great' coming forth from the homes as rockets are fired,” he said.
While planning Israel's attack strategy, Barak also authorized the continued transfer of aid and supplies to Gaza via Israeli crossings in the Negev. Approximately 100 trucks carrying food, medicine and other supplies will enter Gaza on Tuesday, as will five ambulances donated by Turkey.
Scattered groups of Arab Israelis took part in riots and violent attacks throughout the day in protest of operations in Gaza. In Jerusalem, hundreds rioted and attacked police while others set fires, threw stones, and firebombed a local hospital. On Monday night attacks escalated, with a terrorist opening fire on police officers stationed in Abu Dis. The officers were unhurt.
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by Maayana Miskin
Attacks from Gaza continued on Monday night. Terrorists hit the cities of Yavne and Ofakim for the first time. Military experts say the cities lie at the outer reach of Hamas' rocket range.
One man was moderately wounded in the Ofakim strike, and six suffered shock. Rockets hit Sderot and Netivot as well, but did not cause injury. Explosions were heard in Ashkelon, and at least two mortar shells were fired at towns in the Eshkol region.
A total of approximately 90 rockets hit southern Israel on Monday. Three people were killed: Hani Elmahadi was killed in Ashkelon in the morning, Irit Sheetrit was killed in Ashdod at night and an as of yet unidentified soldier was killed in Nahal Oz. Two people were badly wounded in rocket attacks over the course of the day, six were moderately wounded and 23 were lightly wounded.
Sheetrit, 39, was driving with her sister when the “Color Red” rocket warning system sounded. The two exited their car and took shelter in a nearby bus stop, as suggested by government guidelines. The rocket landed nearby, and Sheetrit was critically wounded. Her sister Ayelet was wounded as well.
Sheetrit is survived by her husband and four children.
Israel continued to attack targets in Gaza, blasting buildings near the Hamas parliament in Gaza City. No casualties were reported.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday night to discuss the situation. Following the meeting Olmert did not detail the government's plans, but said, “We're not talking about an exit strategy anymore, but working to obtain our goals in the Gaza operation. We're continuing according to the original plan.”
As Gaza terrorists continue their attacks, Israel's strikes on Hamas will become more aggressive, Olmert said.
Gaza terrorists expressed confidence in an interview with Ynet on Monday night, saying they have the public's backing. Israel's attempts to win Gaza residents over by sending messages blaming Hamas and other terrorist groups for the situation in the area will fail, said one group's spokesman. “They don't hear the cries of 'Allah is great' coming forth from the homes as rockets are fired,” he said.
While planning Israel's attack strategy, Barak also authorized the continued transfer of aid and supplies to Gaza via Israeli crossings in the Negev. Approximately 100 trucks carrying food, medicine and other supplies will enter Gaza on Tuesday, as will five ambulances donated by Turkey.
Scattered groups of Arab Israelis took part in riots and violent attacks throughout the day in protest of operations in Gaza. In Jerusalem, hundreds rioted and attacked police while others set fires, threw stones, and firebombed a local hospital. On Monday night attacks escalated, with a terrorist opening fire on police officers stationed in Abu Dis. The officers were unhurt.
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6. Gaza 'Collaborators' Murdered
by Maayana Miskin
At least eight people were murdered in Gaza on Sunday after escaping prison. The eight were killed for allegedly helping Israel fight terrorism by providing information on local terrorist groups. The incident was reported by one of Yediot Acharonot's Arab correspondents.
The incident began when Gaza's main prison, located near the village of Sariya, was destroyed in an IAF strike. Several prisoners managed to escape the damaged building, among them many who had been accused of cooperating with Israel or convicted and sentenced to death for “collaboration”.
Upon hearing of the airstrike, terrorists and relatives of terrorists killed by the IDF rushed to the prison and caught several of the escaping inmates. Those caught were immediately killed. One of the victims was identified as Jamal Randour, who was convicted of giving Israel information leading to the assassination of Abed Abu-Yusuf el-Kuku, head of the Salah el-Din brigades.
Fatah issued a statement on Monday holding Hamas responsible for the deaths of Fatah-affiliated prisoners. The group called on Hamas to allow Fatah-affiliated prisoners who escaped to remain free.
Gaza Man Appeals: I'm a Collaborator, Let me Come Back
A 35-year-old Gaza resident has filed an appeal to the High Court asking to be allowed into central Israel. The man claims he gave Israel security-related information, and says terrorist groups are out to kill him.
The man said he is married to an Israeli citizen and has two children who also hold Israeli citizenship. He was caught in central Israel without an entrance permit several months ago and enlisted by the Shin Bet (Israel security services), he told the court.
The man returned to Gaza several months ago. Recently, he says, he discovered that Hamas was trying to kill him and claimed to have evidence proving he helped Israel. Israeli officials scheduled a hearing into his case for late January, but the man argues he could be dead by then, and is asking the High Court to allow him to return to central Israel immediately.
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by Maayana Miskin
At least eight people were murdered in Gaza on Sunday after escaping prison. The eight were killed for allegedly helping Israel fight terrorism by providing information on local terrorist groups. The incident was reported by one of Yediot Acharonot's Arab correspondents.
The incident began when Gaza's main prison, located near the village of Sariya, was destroyed in an IAF strike. Several prisoners managed to escape the damaged building, among them many who had been accused of cooperating with Israel or convicted and sentenced to death for “collaboration”.
Upon hearing of the airstrike, terrorists and relatives of terrorists killed by the IDF rushed to the prison and caught several of the escaping inmates. Those caught were immediately killed. One of the victims was identified as Jamal Randour, who was convicted of giving Israel information leading to the assassination of Abed Abu-Yusuf el-Kuku, head of the Salah el-Din brigades.
Fatah issued a statement on Monday holding Hamas responsible for the deaths of Fatah-affiliated prisoners. The group called on Hamas to allow Fatah-affiliated prisoners who escaped to remain free.
Gaza Man Appeals: I'm a Collaborator, Let me Come Back
A 35-year-old Gaza resident has filed an appeal to the High Court asking to be allowed into central Israel. The man claims he gave Israel security-related information, and says terrorist groups are out to kill him.
The man said he is married to an Israeli citizen and has two children who also hold Israeli citizenship. He was caught in central Israel without an entrance permit several months ago and enlisted by the Shin Bet (Israel security services), he told the court.
The man returned to Gaza several months ago. Recently, he says, he discovered that Hamas was trying to kill him and claimed to have evidence proving he helped Israel. Israeli officials scheduled a hearing into his case for late January, but the man argues he could be dead by then, and is asking the High Court to allow him to return to central Israel immediately.
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7. Nasrallah Incites Rebellion
by Maayana Miskin
Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah made an unprecedented speech on Sunday calling on Arabs, particularly Egyptians, to protest government policy and force their governments to stand with Gaza. On Monday Egypt responded, accusing Nasrallah of inciting chaos in Egypt.
In his Sunday speech, Nasrallah accused Egypt and Jordan of putting down popular support for Gaza Arabs. “There is true and full collaboration between certain Arab regimes, especially those who have already signed peace deals with Israel, to crush any form of resistance,” he said in a speech televised and broadcast to supporters in Beirut.
Nasrallah criticized Egypt in particular, and called on the Egyptian government to open the Rafiah crossing between Gaza and northern Sinai. Egypt does not need to fight Israel, but must help those who are fighting, he ruled. “If you do not open the crossing, then you are partners in the crime,” he warned.
Egypt has kept the crossings on its border with Gaza closed despite many attempts by Gaza Arabs to break through. Egyptian soldiers fired on those who tried to force their way through the border, wounding several.
If Egypt and other Arab countries do not assist Gaza terrorists in their fight against Israel, Nasrallah said, residents of those countries must create a popular uprising and force their governments to help Gaza. “Governments that don't lift a finger—their people must force them to act... During the Lebanon War I did not request this of the Arab world, but now in the Gaza war I say everyone must help. I call for hundreds of thousands to go out and demand that their governments act and take responsibility,” he told his listeners.
"We turn to the Egyptian people. The people must take to the streets by the millions. Can the Egyptian police kill millions of Egyptians? Of course not. You, the Egyptian people, go and open the border... I'm calling for a revolution in Egypt,” Nasrallah continued. He advised Egyptian soldiers and commanders to refuse to guard the Gaza border.
Aboul-Gheit: Our army protects us against your kind
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit responded on Monday and said the Egyptian people would not take Nasrallah's side. Nasrallah “declared war on Egypt via a few satellite stations. The Egyptian people rejects and opposes his speech,” Aboul-Gheit said at a news conference in Ankara.
Hizbullah is hoping to create chaos in Egypt “like they created in their own country,” Aboul-Gheit said. Nasrallah spoke of the Egyptian armed forces and asked them to turn against the government, he told his listeners, adding, “I tell him, 'No! No! The armed forces are capable of protecting this land from people like you. You want to create chaos in this region in order to serve interests that are not good for the region.'”
Egypt has condemned and continues to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, Aboul-Gheit continued. Egypt was responsible for the six-month ceasefire that temporarily ended Israeli counterterrorism operations in Gaza, he added.
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by Maayana Miskin
Hizbullah head Hassan Nasrallah made an unprecedented speech on Sunday calling on Arabs, particularly Egyptians, to protest government policy and force their governments to stand with Gaza. On Monday Egypt responded, accusing Nasrallah of inciting chaos in Egypt.
In his Sunday speech, Nasrallah accused Egypt and Jordan of putting down popular support for Gaza Arabs. “There is true and full collaboration between certain Arab regimes, especially those who have already signed peace deals with Israel, to crush any form of resistance,” he said in a speech televised and broadcast to supporters in Beirut.
Nasrallah criticized Egypt in particular, and called on the Egyptian government to open the Rafiah crossing between Gaza and northern Sinai. Egypt does not need to fight Israel, but must help those who are fighting, he ruled. “If you do not open the crossing, then you are partners in the crime,” he warned.
Egypt has kept the crossings on its border with Gaza closed despite many attempts by Gaza Arabs to break through. Egyptian soldiers fired on those who tried to force their way through the border, wounding several.
If Egypt and other Arab countries do not assist Gaza terrorists in their fight against Israel, Nasrallah said, residents of those countries must create a popular uprising and force their governments to help Gaza. “Governments that don't lift a finger—their people must force them to act... During the Lebanon War I did not request this of the Arab world, but now in the Gaza war I say everyone must help. I call for hundreds of thousands to go out and demand that their governments act and take responsibility,” he told his listeners.
"We turn to the Egyptian people. The people must take to the streets by the millions. Can the Egyptian police kill millions of Egyptians? Of course not. You, the Egyptian people, go and open the border... I'm calling for a revolution in Egypt,” Nasrallah continued. He advised Egyptian soldiers and commanders to refuse to guard the Gaza border.
Aboul-Gheit: Our army protects us against your kind
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit responded on Monday and said the Egyptian people would not take Nasrallah's side. Nasrallah “declared war on Egypt via a few satellite stations. The Egyptian people rejects and opposes his speech,” Aboul-Gheit said at a news conference in Ankara.
Hizbullah is hoping to create chaos in Egypt “like they created in their own country,” Aboul-Gheit said. Nasrallah spoke of the Egyptian armed forces and asked them to turn against the government, he told his listeners, adding, “I tell him, 'No! No! The armed forces are capable of protecting this land from people like you. You want to create chaos in this region in order to serve interests that are not good for the region.'”
Egypt has condemned and continues to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, Aboul-Gheit continued. Egypt was responsible for the six-month ceasefire that temporarily ended Israeli counterterrorism operations in Gaza, he added.
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