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1. IDF Night Strikes Include Mosque
by Hillel Fendel
Among the more than 20 Gaza targets bombed by the IDF over the course of Thursday night - the sixth night of the current anti-Hamas Cast Lead military offensive - was a mosque doubling as a Katyusha and Kassam rocket storehouse.
The Hulfaa mosque in the northern Gaza rocket-launching center of Jabalya, four kilometers north of Gaza City, was used to store a large number of Grad-type Katyusha missiles, Kassam rockets and other weaponry and ammunition – as evidenced by the long series of secondary explosions and fire that followed the attack.
Fifth Terror Mosque
This was at least the fifth mosque attacked by Israel during the course of the current offensive, signifying that Israel is no longer playing by the "protecting religious sites" rules that Hamas constantly violates.
Israel Air Force planes, guided by Shabak (General Security Service) intelligence, pinpointed the target with perfect accuracy. The mosque also served as a rocket launching site, a Hamas terrorist meeting place, a staging ground for terror attacks and a communications center, according to the IDF.
Home of Ex-Hamas Gov't Minister Bombed
The IAF continued its offensive on Friday morning by bombing the homes of a top Hamas terrorist and a former Hamas government minister. At least one of the homes camouflaged a tunnel under it and served as a storehouse for war materiel. Sources in Gaza reported that two people were killed in the bombing. Tunnels and other sites were also bombed.
Among the other Hamas terrorist targets bombed over the night in Gaza was a small truck carrying anti-aircraft rockets, as well as mobile rocket launching pads ready for firing, sites for the manufacture and storage of weapons and ammunition, Hamas buildings and a tunnel used to transfer war materiel.
The successful attacks followed Thursday’s IAF bombing of the Hamas Legislative Council and the Hamas justice department buildings in Gaza City. Other targets on Thursday included at least six tunnels under the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt, a police station in Rafah, and a coastal security outpost near Gaza City. The Israel Navy took part in Thursday’s attacks.
The IDF announced that it would continue to attack any target serving as a base for terror attacks against the citizens of the State of Israel.
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by Hillel Fendel
Among the more than 20 Gaza targets bombed by the IDF over the course of Thursday night - the sixth night of the current anti-Hamas Cast Lead military offensive - was a mosque doubling as a Katyusha and Kassam rocket storehouse.
The Hulfaa mosque in the northern Gaza rocket-launching center of Jabalya, four kilometers north of Gaza City, was used to store a large number of Grad-type Katyusha missiles, Kassam rockets and other weaponry and ammunition – as evidenced by the long series of secondary explosions and fire that followed the attack.
Fifth Terror Mosque
This was at least the fifth mosque attacked by Israel during the course of the current offensive, signifying that Israel is no longer playing by the "protecting religious sites" rules that Hamas constantly violates.
Israel Air Force planes, guided by Shabak (General Security Service) intelligence, pinpointed the target with perfect accuracy. The mosque also served as a rocket launching site, a Hamas terrorist meeting place, a staging ground for terror attacks and a communications center, according to the IDF.
Home of Ex-Hamas Gov't Minister Bombed
The IAF continued its offensive on Friday morning by bombing the homes of a top Hamas terrorist and a former Hamas government minister. At least one of the homes camouflaged a tunnel under it and served as a storehouse for war materiel. Sources in Gaza reported that two people were killed in the bombing. Tunnels and other sites were also bombed.
Among the other Hamas terrorist targets bombed over the night in Gaza was a small truck carrying anti-aircraft rockets, as well as mobile rocket launching pads ready for firing, sites for the manufacture and storage of weapons and ammunition, Hamas buildings and a tunnel used to transfer war materiel.
The successful attacks followed Thursday’s IAF bombing of the Hamas Legislative Council and the Hamas justice department buildings in Gaza City. Other targets on Thursday included at least six tunnels under the Philadelphi Route between Gaza and Egypt, a police station in Rafah, and a coastal security outpost near Gaza City. The Israel Navy took part in Thursday’s attacks.
The IDF announced that it would continue to attack any target serving as a base for terror attacks against the citizens of the State of Israel.
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2. Day 7: Rocket Rain on the South
by Hana Levi Julian
Gaza terrorists continued to strafe southern Israel Friday morning as Operation Cast Lead entered its seventh day with thousands of IDF ground troops waiting patiently on the pre-1967 side of the security barrier for the government to decide whether and when to send them into the region to join the fray.
At least 20 short and long-range rockets were fired by Gaza terrorists at southern Israel by 12:00 noon on Friday. Two people suffered slight shrapnel wounds and 12 people had been treated for severe emotional trauma.
Large parts of the rocket-battered western Negev community of Sderot were without electricity after three short-range Kassam rockets came screaming into the city. One of the rockets struck a main power line, blacking out a number of neighborhoods. Israel Electric Company crews were sent to the scene to effect repairs and firefighters extinguished blazes ignited by the explosions in other areas.
A long-range Grad-type Katyusha missile struck the outskirts of Ofakim late in the morning in an open area. No one was injured and no damage was reported. A similar missile exploded next to a kibbutz in the Ashkelon coastal region as well. Likewise, there were no casualties and no damage was reported.
Earlier in the morning, barrage of seven missiles was launched towards the coastal city of Ashkelon shortly before 8:00 a.m.
The apartment which was directly hit (through window at left).
Israel News Photo
Two Grad-type Katyusha rockets landed in a residential neighborhood, both scoring direct hits on two separate apartment buildings and severely damaging both. Two more rockets landed in open areas.
According to Magen David Adom, one woman suffered shrapnel wounds and a number of other people were treated for emotional trauma in a two-story building. Several people were also being treated for emotional shock in a four-story building that was hit as well.
Two short-range Kassam rockets struck the western Negev city of Sderot during the same launch. One resident was slightly wounded in the attack. A third Kassam rocket also hit the Netivot area. No casualties were reported in that attack.
In the Sdot Negev region, one short-range rocket scored a direct hit on a greenhouse in an agricultural community. Two other rockets landed in open areas. Firefighters raced to the scene to extinguish any blaze ignited by the explosion.
A number of residents in the various communities are being treated for severe emotional trauma following the attacks.
Hamas has been widening the range of its attacks, but Israel's southern residents have been well-prepared by Home Front Command for the possibility and panic has been minimal. On Friday, another test of the Color Red incoming missile alert system was scheduled to ensure that Israelis in outlying communities on the outskirts of Be'er Sheva will be protected.
Close Call Thursday Night
One of the warnings issued by Home Front Command – to take cover if residents hear an explosion, whether the Color Red incoming alert system activates or not – saved many lives Thursday.
One of the missiles launched by Hamas in the afternoon was apparently time to coincide with a test of the Color Red rocket warning system during repairs between Ashdod and Gedera, defense officials said Thursday night.
The missile struck just eight minutes after the warning system was to have sounded as a test.
As it happened, the system failed to activate on time. When instead it began to sound eight minutes later due to the incoming missile attack, many residents did not take cover, believing the siren they heard to be the delayed drill they had been warned about. Others, however, raced for cover.
IDF officers said the timing appeared to be deliberate – and almost achieved its goal of enabling Hamas terrorists to strike civilians unaware.
Home Front Command reiterates that residents should immediately take cover if they hear the siren sound, or if they hear an explosion.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Gaza terrorists continued to strafe southern Israel Friday morning as Operation Cast Lead entered its seventh day with thousands of IDF ground troops waiting patiently on the pre-1967 side of the security barrier for the government to decide whether and when to send them into the region to join the fray.
At least 20 short and long-range rockets were fired by Gaza terrorists at southern Israel by 12:00 noon on Friday. Two people suffered slight shrapnel wounds and 12 people had been treated for severe emotional trauma.
Large parts of the rocket-battered western Negev community of Sderot were without electricity after three short-range Kassam rockets came screaming into the city. One of the rockets struck a main power line, blacking out a number of neighborhoods. Israel Electric Company crews were sent to the scene to effect repairs and firefighters extinguished blazes ignited by the explosions in other areas.
A long-range Grad-type Katyusha missile struck the outskirts of Ofakim late in the morning in an open area. No one was injured and no damage was reported. A similar missile exploded next to a kibbutz in the Ashkelon coastal region as well. Likewise, there were no casualties and no damage was reported.
Earlier in the morning, barrage of seven missiles was launched towards the coastal city of Ashkelon shortly before 8:00 a.m.
The apartment which was directly hit (through window at left).
Israel News Photo
Two Grad-type Katyusha rockets landed in a residential neighborhood, both scoring direct hits on two separate apartment buildings and severely damaging both. Two more rockets landed in open areas.
According to Magen David Adom, one woman suffered shrapnel wounds and a number of other people were treated for emotional trauma in a two-story building. Several people were also being treated for emotional shock in a four-story building that was hit as well.
Two short-range Kassam rockets struck the western Negev city of Sderot during the same launch. One resident was slightly wounded in the attack. A third Kassam rocket also hit the Netivot area. No casualties were reported in that attack.
In the Sdot Negev region, one short-range rocket scored a direct hit on a greenhouse in an agricultural community. Two other rockets landed in open areas. Firefighters raced to the scene to extinguish any blaze ignited by the explosion.
A number of residents in the various communities are being treated for severe emotional trauma following the attacks.
Hamas has been widening the range of its attacks, but Israel's southern residents have been well-prepared by Home Front Command for the possibility and panic has been minimal. On Friday, another test of the Color Red incoming missile alert system was scheduled to ensure that Israelis in outlying communities on the outskirts of Be'er Sheva will be protected.
Close Call Thursday Night
One of the warnings issued by Home Front Command – to take cover if residents hear an explosion, whether the Color Red incoming alert system activates or not – saved many lives Thursday.
One of the missiles launched by Hamas in the afternoon was apparently time to coincide with a test of the Color Red rocket warning system during repairs between Ashdod and Gedera, defense officials said Thursday night.
The missile struck just eight minutes after the warning system was to have sounded as a test.
As it happened, the system failed to activate on time. When instead it began to sound eight minutes later due to the incoming missile attack, many residents did not take cover, believing the siren they heard to be the delayed drill they had been warned about. Others, however, raced for cover.
IDF officers said the timing appeared to be deliberate – and almost achieved its goal of enabling Hamas terrorists to strike civilians unaware.
Home Front Command reiterates that residents should immediately take cover if they hear the siren sound, or if they hear an explosion.
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3. Rockets Follow Terrorist Kill
by Hillel Fendel
Hamas fired off yet another round of Katyusha and Kassam rockets at Ashdod, Ashkelon and elsewhere late Thursday afternoon, in an apparent desperate to the IDF’s liquidation of a top Hamas terrorist.
Two Grad Katyusha rockets were fired at Be’er Sheva, nearly 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Gaza late Thursday afternoon, and another one landed north of Ashkelon. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Shortly afterwards, a rocket exploded in the port city of Ashdod; several people were treated for trauma, but no property damage was caused. Around the same time, sirens were sounded in Yavneh, Gedera and Sdot Negev.
The terrorist who was targeted and killed in the IAF attack in Gaza was Nizar Rayyan – the most senior Hamas figure to be eliminated by the IDF since Abdel Aziz Rantisi nearly five years ago.
Sent His Son to Die
Rayyan had 12 children from his four wives; he dispatched one of his sons on a suicide bombing mission in Gush Katif in 2001, killing two Israelis. He was also responsible for an attack in which ten Israelis were murdered in the Ashdod port in March 2004. Rayyan was a major morale-booster for Hamas, and his bombed home served as a storehouse for arms and weapons, a communications center, a terrorist meeting place, and as camouflage for an escape tunnel. His death has sorely shocked the organization.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, a Grad-Katyusha rocket hit the 8th floor of a building in Ashdod, causing heavy damage but no physical injuries. No fewer than 32 people were treated for trauma, and one of the apartments caught fire. All the residents – many of them heart patients and children – were evacuated from the building, for fear that it might collapse. Minutes after the attack, the IDF succeeded in locating and destroying the terrorist cell responsible for the launch.
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by Hillel Fendel
Hamas fired off yet another round of Katyusha and Kassam rockets at Ashdod, Ashkelon and elsewhere late Thursday afternoon, in an apparent desperate to the IDF’s liquidation of a top Hamas terrorist.
Two Grad Katyusha rockets were fired at Be’er Sheva, nearly 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Gaza late Thursday afternoon, and another one landed north of Ashkelon. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Shortly afterwards, a rocket exploded in the port city of Ashdod; several people were treated for trauma, but no property damage was caused. Around the same time, sirens were sounded in Yavneh, Gedera and Sdot Negev.
The terrorist who was targeted and killed in the IAF attack in Gaza was Nizar Rayyan – the most senior Hamas figure to be eliminated by the IDF since Abdel Aziz Rantisi nearly five years ago.
Sent His Son to Die
Rayyan had 12 children from his four wives; he dispatched one of his sons on a suicide bombing mission in Gush Katif in 2001, killing two Israelis. He was also responsible for an attack in which ten Israelis were murdered in the Ashdod port in March 2004. Rayyan was a major morale-booster for Hamas, and his bombed home served as a storehouse for arms and weapons, a communications center, a terrorist meeting place, and as camouflage for an escape tunnel. His death has sorely shocked the organization.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, a Grad-Katyusha rocket hit the 8th floor of a building in Ashdod, causing heavy damage but no physical injuries. No fewer than 32 people were treated for trauma, and one of the apartments caught fire. All the residents – many of them heart patients and children – were evacuated from the building, for fear that it might collapse. Minutes after the attack, the IDF succeeded in locating and destroying the terrorist cell responsible for the launch.
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4. IAF Eliminates Top Hamas Leader
by Hana Levi Julian and Yehudah Kay
The IAF killed a top Hamas leader on Thursday afternoon and 10 others in an air strike with pinpoint accuracy.
The 3:00 p.m. strike eliminated Nizar Rayyan, at least two of his wives and seven of their children as well as a number of other family members. IAF pilots bombed Rayyan's home in the northern Gaza community of Jabaliya, which also contained many explosives and served as a terrorist headquarters. The terrorist commander had been urging Arabs to renew suicide bombings against Israel.
"We do not need money or weapons -- we only need your prayers," he told a group at a Gaza mosque on Wednesday, calling on Muslims everywhere to pray for Gaza's Arabs. "We can handle the enemy ourselves."
Rayyan's neighbors told the Bethlehem-based Maan news agency that Rayyan had ignored a warning from the IDF to evacuate civilians from his home.
The IDF issued a statement after the strike identifying Rayyan as the target. "Many secondary explosions were identified as a result of the attack, thus proving that the house was used for storing weaponry," the statement continued. "It was also used as a communications center. In addition, a tunnel was located under the house and was used for the escape of terror operatives."
Surgical Strike Eliminates Ashdod Attackers
Shortly after a Grad rocket hit an apartment building in the port city of Ashdod early Thursday afternoon, the IDF managed to locate the terrorist cell responsible for the launch. Within minutes, the IAF destroyed the cell and the rocket launcher used by the terrorists. An army spokesman said if the IDF cannot prevent a rocket launch, it strives to immediately locate the rocket launching squad after it fires the missile and neutralize the terrorists.
A short time later, IAF pilots struck three houses in northern Gaza containing anti-tank missiles, rockets, mortars and bombs. The houses, belonging to three terrorist leaders, also contained weapons laboratories manufacturing facilities.
Overnight Action
The IAF launched a number of overnight sorties, destroying a mosque in Khan Yunis, a college which served as a terrorist training center and several smuggling tunnels. A number of vehicles in Gaza City were targeted as well. All served as weapons storage facilities or contained terrorists.
Also overnight, the IAF struck a number of Hamas government buildings across Gaza, including the parliament building and the Education and Transportation Ministries, which were completely destroyed. The Justice Ministry in Gaza City was also targeted for the first time as well.
The head of the Rafiah branch of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades division of Hamas, Abu Anas Chabana, narrowly escaped an attack on his home by IAF pilots as well. The house was destroyed in the strike, and several nearby homes were damaged. Three neighbors were killed, local sources said.
EarlyBird Sorties
The Israel Navy early Thursday morning struck homes belonging two Hamas commanders at Nusseirat. It was not clear whether anyone was in the buildings at the time. A Hamas building in Maghazi, also in the central region, was destroyed as well.
Three terrorists were wounded in an air strike on a rocket factory in Khan Younis, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. A second such factory was also struck in Gaza City.
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, the Israel Air Force has carried out more than 500 sorties against Gaza targets, killing more than 400 terrorists and wounding some 1,600 others.
Gaza terrorists have launched more than 200 missiles at Israel since last Saturday, including short, medium and long-range rockets, killing three civilians and wounding dozens of others.
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by Hana Levi Julian and Yehudah Kay
The IAF killed a top Hamas leader on Thursday afternoon and 10 others in an air strike with pinpoint accuracy.
The 3:00 p.m. strike eliminated Nizar Rayyan, at least two of his wives and seven of their children as well as a number of other family members. IAF pilots bombed Rayyan's home in the northern Gaza community of Jabaliya, which also contained many explosives and served as a terrorist headquarters. The terrorist commander had been urging Arabs to renew suicide bombings against Israel.
"We do not need money or weapons -- we only need your prayers," he told a group at a Gaza mosque on Wednesday, calling on Muslims everywhere to pray for Gaza's Arabs. "We can handle the enemy ourselves."
Rayyan's neighbors told the Bethlehem-based Maan news agency that Rayyan had ignored a warning from the IDF to evacuate civilians from his home.
The IDF issued a statement after the strike identifying Rayyan as the target. "Many secondary explosions were identified as a result of the attack, thus proving that the house was used for storing weaponry," the statement continued. "It was also used as a communications center. In addition, a tunnel was located under the house and was used for the escape of terror operatives."
Surgical Strike Eliminates Ashdod Attackers
Shortly after a Grad rocket hit an apartment building in the port city of Ashdod early Thursday afternoon, the IDF managed to locate the terrorist cell responsible for the launch. Within minutes, the IAF destroyed the cell and the rocket launcher used by the terrorists. An army spokesman said if the IDF cannot prevent a rocket launch, it strives to immediately locate the rocket launching squad after it fires the missile and neutralize the terrorists.
A short time later, IAF pilots struck three houses in northern Gaza containing anti-tank missiles, rockets, mortars and bombs. The houses, belonging to three terrorist leaders, also contained weapons laboratories manufacturing facilities.
Overnight Action
The IAF launched a number of overnight sorties, destroying a mosque in Khan Yunis, a college which served as a terrorist training center and several smuggling tunnels. A number of vehicles in Gaza City were targeted as well. All served as weapons storage facilities or contained terrorists.
Also overnight, the IAF struck a number of Hamas government buildings across Gaza, including the parliament building and the Education and Transportation Ministries, which were completely destroyed. The Justice Ministry in Gaza City was also targeted for the first time as well.
The head of the Rafiah branch of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades division of Hamas, Abu Anas Chabana, narrowly escaped an attack on his home by IAF pilots as well. The house was destroyed in the strike, and several nearby homes were damaged. Three neighbors were killed, local sources said.
EarlyBird Sorties
The Israel Navy early Thursday morning struck homes belonging two Hamas commanders at Nusseirat. It was not clear whether anyone was in the buildings at the time. A Hamas building in Maghazi, also in the central region, was destroyed as well.
Three terrorists were wounded in an air strike on a rocket factory in Khan Younis, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. A second such factory was also struck in Gaza City.
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, the Israel Air Force has carried out more than 500 sorties against Gaza targets, killing more than 400 terrorists and wounding some 1,600 others.
Gaza terrorists have launched more than 200 missiles at Israel since last Saturday, including short, medium and long-range rockets, killing three civilians and wounding dozens of others.
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5. Wartime Sabbath Services
by Hillel Fendel
Col. Gil Shenhar of the IDF Home Front Command’s Southern District, has explained the instructions for holding communal Sabbath prayers in rocket-threatened cities.
Within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza, prayers are to be held only inside bomb shelters. This includes Sderot, Kfar Maimon, and the new homes of former Gush Katif residents in Yated and Yevul.
Within a radius of between 10 and 30 kilometers, prayers must be held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation of up to 100 people at a time. This area includes Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim and Netivot.
Within a radius of between 30 and 40 kilometers, prayers must be held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation of up to 300 people at a time. This area includes Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Gedera, and Yad Binyamin.
The religious community is also advised to keep a radio tuned to the “Quiet Wave” near or in synagogues. Stations on the “Quiet Wave” broadcast silence, except for when an air raid siren occurs.
Worshipers are advised not to congregate outside after the prayers, nor to bring children.
A prayer written specifically for the besieged residents of southern Israel was approved this week by the Rishon LeTzion, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.
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by Hillel Fendel
Col. Gil Shenhar of the IDF Home Front Command’s Southern District, has explained the instructions for holding communal Sabbath prayers in rocket-threatened cities.
Within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza, prayers are to be held only inside bomb shelters. This includes Sderot, Kfar Maimon, and the new homes of former Gush Katif residents in Yated and Yevul.
Within a radius of between 10 and 30 kilometers, prayers must be held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation of up to 100 people at a time. This area includes Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim and Netivot.
Within a radius of between 30 and 40 kilometers, prayers must be held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation of up to 300 people at a time. This area includes Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Gedera, and Yad Binyamin.
The religious community is also advised to keep a radio tuned to the “Quiet Wave” near or in synagogues. Stations on the “Quiet Wave” broadcast silence, except for when an air raid siren occurs.
Worshipers are advised not to congregate outside after the prayers, nor to bring children.
A prayer written specifically for the besieged residents of southern Israel was approved this week by the Rishon LeTzion, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.
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6. Renewed Yesha Council Meets
by IsraelNN staff
The renewed Judea and Samaria (Yesha) council met for the first time this week. Council head Danny Dayan says the new council represents all kinds of Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
Can't see video? Click here,
In the above video, Dayan explains the council's goals and responds to questions on restoring the public trust.
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by IsraelNN staff
The renewed Judea and Samaria (Yesha) council met for the first time this week. Council head Danny Dayan says the new council represents all kinds of Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
Can't see video? Click here,
In the above video, Dayan explains the council's goals and responds to questions on restoring the public trust.
Comment on this story
7. Foreign Reporters Return to Gaza
by Maayana Miskin
Israel agreed Thursday to allow small groups of foreign journalists to enter Gaza via Israeli crossings in the western Negev. The crossings have been closed to all but critically ill Gaza patients and trucks bringing humanitarian supplies due to rocket attacks on southern Israel.
Foreign aid workers will also be allowed to enter Gaza via Israeli crossings.
The decision to allow journalists through the crossings was made after the Foreign Press Association filed an appeal to the High Court of an Israeli ban on entering the Hamas-controlled area, accusing Israel of violating laws guaranteeing freedom of the press. During a hearing on the matter held Wednesday Justices Dorit Beinisch, Elyakim Rubenstein and Hanan Meltzer pushed the state to open the crossings to journalists.
The state has agreed to allow groups of eight journalists at a time to enter Gaza. The journalists must be prepared to leave for Gaza on short notice, as crossings will be opened only for a short time and only when security concerns permit.
The Press Association appealed the state's decision on Thursday and asked to transfer 12 journalists at a time to Gaza, not eight. The state should allow more journalists to use the crossings in order to allow all networks to have a representative in Gaza, they said.
The appeal was based on the High Court's decision to “strike a balance between the danger to human life and the need for media coverage,” according to association spokespeople.
Gaza crossings have been closed for four weeks as Hamas and other terrorist organizations launch rockets at Israeli cities on a daily basis. Dozens of journalists were stuck outside the area, unable to enter after both Israel and Egypt closed their crossings. Many media outlets used material from Gaza stringers in order to cover Israel's “Cast Lead” operation against Hamas.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
Israel agreed Thursday to allow small groups of foreign journalists to enter Gaza via Israeli crossings in the western Negev. The crossings have been closed to all but critically ill Gaza patients and trucks bringing humanitarian supplies due to rocket attacks on southern Israel.
Foreign aid workers will also be allowed to enter Gaza via Israeli crossings.
The decision to allow journalists through the crossings was made after the Foreign Press Association filed an appeal to the High Court of an Israeli ban on entering the Hamas-controlled area, accusing Israel of violating laws guaranteeing freedom of the press. During a hearing on the matter held Wednesday Justices Dorit Beinisch, Elyakim Rubenstein and Hanan Meltzer pushed the state to open the crossings to journalists.
The state has agreed to allow groups of eight journalists at a time to enter Gaza. The journalists must be prepared to leave for Gaza on short notice, as crossings will be opened only for a short time and only when security concerns permit.
The Press Association appealed the state's decision on Thursday and asked to transfer 12 journalists at a time to Gaza, not eight. The state should allow more journalists to use the crossings in order to allow all networks to have a representative in Gaza, they said.
The appeal was based on the High Court's decision to “strike a balance between the danger to human life and the need for media coverage,” according to association spokespeople.
Gaza crossings have been closed for four weeks as Hamas and other terrorist organizations launch rockets at Israeli cities on a daily basis. Dozens of journalists were stuck outside the area, unable to enter after both Israel and Egypt closed their crossings. Many media outlets used material from Gaza stringers in order to cover Israel's “Cast Lead” operation against Hamas.
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