1. Phoneless Hamas Army Confused
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The "Cast Lead" counterterrorist campaign has spread to cyberspace and cell phones, leaving Hamas's terrorist army in confusion, unable to issue and receive orders efficiently. Almost of all of Gaza's cell phone system is out of order, television stations have been hit and the Hamas website is down.
The local phone company Paltel said that 90 percent of Gaza's cellular system is out of order. Compounding the problem are the downing of landlines and the inability of technicians to reach work sites. Switchboards and mobile communications equipment have sustained heavy damage in air raids.
Hamas's leaders, who have been forced underground, have been forced to rely on old-fashioned walkie-talkies to maintain communication with terrorists. Most of the upper echelon orders are coming from Hamas headquarters in Damascus, manned by Khaled Mashaal.
Paltel has warned subscribers that they may be completely cut off from the outside world. Electricity blackouts have made it difficult for the population to receive radio and television programs, and television stations that have not been destroyed by aerial strikes often are not able to broadcast.
Paltel said three of its technicians have died or have suffered injuries.
The Hamas website is down after several attempts to put in back on the Internet. Israel previously has hacked other Arab-language sites with messages to the public that it is being exploited by Hamas leaders.
Hamas issued a statement accusing the "The Americans and Zionists" of trying to silence communications. One website that was hacked issued calls for Jihad, the Arabic term for "holy war" on Israel.
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The "Cast Lead" counterterrorist campaign has spread to cyberspace and cell phones, leaving Hamas's terrorist army in confusion, unable to issue and receive orders efficiently. Almost of all of Gaza's cell phone system is out of order, television stations have been hit and the Hamas website is down.
The local phone company Paltel said that 90 percent of Gaza's cellular system is out of order. Compounding the problem are the downing of landlines and the inability of technicians to reach work sites. Switchboards and mobile communications equipment have sustained heavy damage in air raids.
Hamas's leaders, who have been forced underground, have been forced to rely on old-fashioned walkie-talkies to maintain communication with terrorists. Most of the upper echelon orders are coming from Hamas headquarters in Damascus, manned by Khaled Mashaal.
Paltel has warned subscribers that they may be completely cut off from the outside world. Electricity blackouts have made it difficult for the population to receive radio and television programs, and television stations that have not been destroyed by aerial strikes often are not able to broadcast.
Paltel said three of its technicians have died or have suffered injuries.
The Hamas website is down after several attempts to put in back on the Internet. Israel previously has hacked other Arab-language sites with messages to the public that it is being exploited by Hamas leaders.
Hamas issued a statement accusing the "The Americans and Zionists" of trying to silence communications. One website that was hacked issued calls for Jihad, the Arabic term for "holy war" on Israel.
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2. Golani Troops Foiled Kidnapping
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Golani troops and IAF helicopters foiled an attempt by Hamas to kidnap a solder in a tunnel near Gaza City Sunday morning. The IDF refused to comment on the report.
The incident was said to have occurred after Golani troops entered a Hamas command center in a house on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City and discovered smuggling tunnels underneath. A clash broke out between the troops and Hamas terrorists, who began to drag away one soldier, according to Israeli and foreign media.
Helicopter cover and efforts by his comrades forced the terrorists to release the solider. The IDF refused to discuss the incident, saying it would not comment on "rumors," but its spokesmen on Sunday denied a Hamas claim to the media that it had kidnapped two soldiers. The denial was issued after Reuters published the report, and the source of the claim may have been the clash that was not reported until Monday morning.
Ground troops advanced deeper and slowly and carefully into Gaza. One soldier suffered moderate wounds and four others were lightly injured in heavy fighting with Hamas guerrilla fighters.
Five soldiers remained in serious condition in Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva on Monday morning. One of the wounded is Dvir Bar Chai, son of Southern Hevron Hills Regional Council leader Tzviki Bar Chai. Twenty-three soldiers suffered light to moderate wounds.
Twelve other soldiers are recovering from light injuries in Bellinson, Barzilai and Sheba hospitals, and one other soldier is recovering moderate wounds.
The Air Force struck 30 terrorist targets overnight, including a mosque and four Hamas terrorists' homes used for storing a large amount of weaponry, while southern Israel residents spent a quiet night. Gaza terrorists launched their first rocket of the day at 7:00 a.m. on Sderot. The missile exploded at a kibbutz outside of the town and caused no injuries or damage.
Two more Kassams hit the Eshkol region and also landed in open areas.
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Golani troops and IAF helicopters foiled an attempt by Hamas to kidnap a solder in a tunnel near Gaza City Sunday morning. The IDF refused to comment on the report.
The incident was said to have occurred after Golani troops entered a Hamas command center in a house on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City and discovered smuggling tunnels underneath. A clash broke out between the troops and Hamas terrorists, who began to drag away one soldier, according to Israeli and foreign media.
Helicopter cover and efforts by his comrades forced the terrorists to release the solider. The IDF refused to discuss the incident, saying it would not comment on "rumors," but its spokesmen on Sunday denied a Hamas claim to the media that it had kidnapped two soldiers. The denial was issued after Reuters published the report, and the source of the claim may have been the clash that was not reported until Monday morning.
Ground troops advanced deeper and slowly and carefully into Gaza. One soldier suffered moderate wounds and four others were lightly injured in heavy fighting with Hamas guerrilla fighters.
Five soldiers remained in serious condition in Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva on Monday morning. One of the wounded is Dvir Bar Chai, son of Southern Hevron Hills Regional Council leader Tzviki Bar Chai. Twenty-three soldiers suffered light to moderate wounds.
Twelve other soldiers are recovering from light injuries in Bellinson, Barzilai and Sheba hospitals, and one other soldier is recovering moderate wounds.
The Air Force struck 30 terrorist targets overnight, including a mosque and four Hamas terrorists' homes used for storing a large amount of weaponry, while southern Israel residents spent a quiet night. Gaza terrorists launched their first rocket of the day at 7:00 a.m. on Sderot. The missile exploded at a kibbutz outside of the town and caused no injuries or damage.
Two more Kassams hit the Eshkol region and also landed in open areas.
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4. Rocket Hits Ashkelon Home
by Hana Levi Julian
Hamas and allied terrorist attacked southern Israel with 28 rockets since 7 a.m. Monday, appearing to focus primarily on the coastal city of Ashkelon.
At about 2:00 p.m. the Color Red incoming rocket alert siren wailed in the city, sending residents racing for shelters for what seemed to be the umpteenth time within a two-hour span. Officials said at least one long-range Grad-type Katyusha rocket was discovered a short time later, having landed in an open area. No injuries or damage was reported in that attack.
An earlier barrage was more dangerous, however. A Grad rocket slammed into an open area in Ashkelon at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday and landed next to a single-family home. Initial reports by Magen David Adom medics racing to the scene said early reports indicated that at least two people were lightly injured by shrapnel and a number of people suffered severe emotional trauma.
A second Grad rocket exploded elsewhere in the city at about the same time as well, but there were no reports of injuries or damage in that attack. Within 15 minutes, another barrage struck Ashkelon; at least one Grad rocket landed in an open area in the city, according to city officials, but caused no injuries or damage.
In Be'er Sheva, the "capital of the Negev," a Grad rocket struck the city for the first time since last Friday and landed near an apartment building. According to initial reports, no one suffered physical injuries in the attack although there were a number of people who were treated for severe emotional trauma.
Gaza terrorists aimed most of their rocket fire Monday at the Mediterranean coastal cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. At least one and possibly two long-range rockets exploded between the two cities shortly before 12:00 noon. One landed in the Yavneh region, sending several people into emotional shock but causing no physical injuries or damage.
At the same time, a barrage of shorter-range Kassam rockets was fired at the Gaza Belt city of Sderot. Three rockets slammed in the community, one exploding in the center of town in an area usually filled with people at midday. Although the rocket caused significant damage and a number of people suffered severe emotional trauma, there were no physical injuries in any of the attacks. The other two rockets landed in open areas.
Ashkelon was also hit by two Grad-type Katyusha rockets at about 10:30 a.m.
"Another miracle," said the announcer on Radio Darom (Radio of the South), as a listener described how one of the missiles landed right on the sidewalk of the main street in Ashkelon. "No one injured, and it landed right on Main Street. Unbelievable!" he exclaimed. The second missile exploded in an open area on the northern outskirts of the city. There were no reports of injuries in either attack.
Three rockets exploded at about the same time near Ashdod, Kiryat Malachi and Yavneh, all landing in open areas. A mortar shell was also fired at the Sha'ar HaNegev region. No injuries or damage were reported.
About half an hour earlier, a rocket landed for the first time in the Gush Shafir region, north of the Kiryat Malachi-Ashkelon area, near the community of Merkaz Shapira, according to Radio Darom.
Asher Abargil, head of the Regional Council of Gush Shafir, said the exact landing site had not yet been identified and there were no reports of injuries or damage. He advised residents to "calm down, drink some water, relax a little and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command."
Two Grad-type Katyusha rockets exploded barely five minutes prior to that attack, also in the area of Kiryat Malachi and Yavne. No one was hurt and no damage was reported.
A Kassam rocket exploded at a kibbutz near Sderot at 7 a.m., one other exploded in an open area near a Gaza Belt community and two short-range missiles landed in the Eshkol region. All of the rockets landed in open areas. The mood of the town is generally relaxed, and residents say they feel more reassured since the IDF intensified its counterterrorism campaign in Gaza.
Sunday night was quiet, with no rocket attacks reported.
Visiting Jewish community leaders from the United States who had arrived on a solidarity tour narrowly escaped injury during a Kassam rocket attack Sunday during a visit to Sderot.
Upon hearing the Color Red incoming missile alert siren, the leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations fled en masse to a fortified police building, which was struck by the rocket moments later.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Hamas and allied terrorist attacked southern Israel with 28 rockets since 7 a.m. Monday, appearing to focus primarily on the coastal city of Ashkelon.
At about 2:00 p.m. the Color Red incoming rocket alert siren wailed in the city, sending residents racing for shelters for what seemed to be the umpteenth time within a two-hour span. Officials said at least one long-range Grad-type Katyusha rocket was discovered a short time later, having landed in an open area. No injuries or damage was reported in that attack.
An earlier barrage was more dangerous, however. A Grad rocket slammed into an open area in Ashkelon at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday and landed next to a single-family home. Initial reports by Magen David Adom medics racing to the scene said early reports indicated that at least two people were lightly injured by shrapnel and a number of people suffered severe emotional trauma.
A second Grad rocket exploded elsewhere in the city at about the same time as well, but there were no reports of injuries or damage in that attack. Within 15 minutes, another barrage struck Ashkelon; at least one Grad rocket landed in an open area in the city, according to city officials, but caused no injuries or damage.
In Be'er Sheva, the "capital of the Negev," a Grad rocket struck the city for the first time since last Friday and landed near an apartment building. According to initial reports, no one suffered physical injuries in the attack although there were a number of people who were treated for severe emotional trauma.
Gaza terrorists aimed most of their rocket fire Monday at the Mediterranean coastal cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. At least one and possibly two long-range rockets exploded between the two cities shortly before 12:00 noon. One landed in the Yavneh region, sending several people into emotional shock but causing no physical injuries or damage.
At the same time, a barrage of shorter-range Kassam rockets was fired at the Gaza Belt city of Sderot. Three rockets slammed in the community, one exploding in the center of town in an area usually filled with people at midday. Although the rocket caused significant damage and a number of people suffered severe emotional trauma, there were no physical injuries in any of the attacks. The other two rockets landed in open areas.
Ashkelon was also hit by two Grad-type Katyusha rockets at about 10:30 a.m.
"Another miracle," said the announcer on Radio Darom (Radio of the South), as a listener described how one of the missiles landed right on the sidewalk of the main street in Ashkelon. "No one injured, and it landed right on Main Street. Unbelievable!" he exclaimed. The second missile exploded in an open area on the northern outskirts of the city. There were no reports of injuries in either attack.
Three rockets exploded at about the same time near Ashdod, Kiryat Malachi and Yavneh, all landing in open areas. A mortar shell was also fired at the Sha'ar HaNegev region. No injuries or damage were reported.
About half an hour earlier, a rocket landed for the first time in the Gush Shafir region, north of the Kiryat Malachi-Ashkelon area, near the community of Merkaz Shapira, according to Radio Darom.
Asher Abargil, head of the Regional Council of Gush Shafir, said the exact landing site had not yet been identified and there were no reports of injuries or damage. He advised residents to "calm down, drink some water, relax a little and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command."
Two Grad-type Katyusha rockets exploded barely five minutes prior to that attack, also in the area of Kiryat Malachi and Yavne. No one was hurt and no damage was reported.
A Kassam rocket exploded at a kibbutz near Sderot at 7 a.m., one other exploded in an open area near a Gaza Belt community and two short-range missiles landed in the Eshkol region. All of the rockets landed in open areas. The mood of the town is generally relaxed, and residents say they feel more reassured since the IDF intensified its counterterrorism campaign in Gaza.
Sunday night was quiet, with no rocket attacks reported.
Visiting Jewish community leaders from the United States who had arrived on a solidarity tour narrowly escaped injury during a Kassam rocket attack Sunday during a visit to Sderot.
Upon hearing the Color Red incoming missile alert siren, the leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations fled en masse to a fortified police building, which was struck by the rocket moments later.
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5. Ground Op will Take Out Tunnels
by IsraelNN Staff
Hamas has built an 'incredible' military infrastructure in Gaza, including tunnels and launch silos, and the only way to destroy it is by using ground troops, IDF Spokesman Captain Benjamin Rutland told IsraelNN TV.
Can't see video? Click here.
A prime objective of the ground operation in Gaza is to take control of areas used as launching pads for terror rockets, he said. The IDF intends to vastly reduce Hamas's ability to launch missiles at Israeli civilians and to damage the terrorist infrastructure.
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by IsraelNN Staff
Hamas has built an 'incredible' military infrastructure in Gaza, including tunnels and launch silos, and the only way to destroy it is by using ground troops, IDF Spokesman Captain Benjamin Rutland told IsraelNN TV.
Can't see video? Click here.
A prime objective of the ground operation in Gaza is to take control of areas used as launching pads for terror rockets, he said. The IDF intends to vastly reduce Hamas's ability to launch missiles at Israeli civilians and to damage the terrorist infrastructure.
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6. Humanitarian Aid Reaching Gaza
by Hana Levi Julian
Shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza resumed Monday after a two-day pause to allow the entry of ground troops into the region in Stage Two of Operation Cast Lead.
Some 200,000 liters of heavy diesel fuel are being pumped through the Nahal Oz terminal, enough for the Gaza power station and other humanitarian needs as well. The depot was closed for the last week due to security concerns that blocked Israel's ability to operate the crossing, notably terrorist attacks aimed specifically at personnel manning the terminal.
Approximately 80 truckloads of medical supplies, medications and basic food commodities are also being delivered to the region through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Among the shipments are donations from Greece, Jordan and Egypt, in addition to supplies being sent from various international aid organizations.
The International Committee of the Red Cross complained on Sunday that Israel has refused to allow its medical teams into the region to assist Gaza doctors with complex surgeries. Attempts by Israel National News to check the veracity of the claim were unsuccessful and calls to COGAT, the office for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, were not returned.
Dual Citizens Assisted to Leave
The evacuation of dual citizens is also continuing. Last week, 226 Gazans holding foreign passports, among them U.S. nationals, were assisted to leave the region.
On Monday, "at the request of various embassies, an evacuation of some 200 dual nationals is also planned," said a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.
Gazans holding passports from Norway, Germany, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Malta, France, Greece, Austria and Canada have made arrangements to travel to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge. They will travel through Israel in order to reach the border crossing into Jordan, where they will continue on to their final destinations.
Hundreds of Trucks of Aid Reach Gaza
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, and on a daily basis, the international community has been able to increase the amount of goods supplied to Gaza, according to a release disseminated by the Foreign Ministry.
Some 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid have been transferred since the operation began, at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. According to the report, 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza throughout the week, 2,000 units of blood were donated by Jordan, five ambulances were donated by Turkey, five ambulances transferred from Judea and Samaria on behalf of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and 20 people were evacuated to Israel for medical needs, including two injured children.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza resumed Monday after a two-day pause to allow the entry of ground troops into the region in Stage Two of Operation Cast Lead.
Some 200,000 liters of heavy diesel fuel are being pumped through the Nahal Oz terminal, enough for the Gaza power station and other humanitarian needs as well. The depot was closed for the last week due to security concerns that blocked Israel's ability to operate the crossing, notably terrorist attacks aimed specifically at personnel manning the terminal.
Approximately 80 truckloads of medical supplies, medications and basic food commodities are also being delivered to the region through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Among the shipments are donations from Greece, Jordan and Egypt, in addition to supplies being sent from various international aid organizations.
The International Committee of the Red Cross complained on Sunday that Israel has refused to allow its medical teams into the region to assist Gaza doctors with complex surgeries. Attempts by Israel National News to check the veracity of the claim were unsuccessful and calls to COGAT, the office for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, were not returned.
Dual Citizens Assisted to Leave
The evacuation of dual citizens is also continuing. Last week, 226 Gazans holding foreign passports, among them U.S. nationals, were assisted to leave the region.
On Monday, "at the request of various embassies, an evacuation of some 200 dual nationals is also planned," said a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.
Gazans holding passports from Norway, Germany, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Malta, France, Greece, Austria and Canada have made arrangements to travel to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge. They will travel through Israel in order to reach the border crossing into Jordan, where they will continue on to their final destinations.
Hundreds of Trucks of Aid Reach Gaza
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, and on a daily basis, the international community has been able to increase the amount of goods supplied to Gaza, according to a release disseminated by the Foreign Ministry.
Some 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid have been transferred since the operation began, at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. According to the report, 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza throughout the week, 2,000 units of blood were donated by Jordan, five ambulances were donated by Turkey, five ambulances transferred from Judea and Samaria on behalf of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and 20 people were evacuated to Israel for medical needs, including two injured children.
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7. War Won’t Delay Elections--Yet
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Israelis are to vote on the next government in five weeks, but the war against Hamas has shelved campaigning. Pensioners party chairman Rafi Eitan wants a postponement of six weeks. All major parties are opposed to the idea, but an extended battle may change the picture.
Yehadut HaTorah (United Torah Judaism - UTJ) MK Moshe Gafne said, "For the time being, we have postponed our campaign. We have to wait and see in the next few days what will happen. If the war continues, there will be a need to delay the election."
MK Eitan, Tzomet chairman MK Elchanan Glazer and a relatively unknown party representing young Israelis have appealed to the Knesset Elections Committee to delay the February 10 voting. MK Eitan argued that it is deceptive to allow election campaigning when soldiers are on the battlefield and civilians are in bomb shelters.
The Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign has helped the larger parties maintain their strength, with Labor winning more support at the cost of the smaller parties.
General elections have been postponed only once - during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 in order to maintain national unity. A postponement effort today would involve a complicated and uncertain procedure that would require the support of 61 MKs and possibly 80 MKs to change the Basic Law and allow a dissolved government to continue to stay in power.
MK Eitan's proposal for a vote at the end of March also would cause a legal nightmare for the next government, which legally must pass a budget for the current year by March 31 or face dissolution. His suggested timing would require a coalition to be formed in the record time of several days and then pass an emergency budget.
Kadima leaders maintained that "there is no reason to postpone the elections and no reason to discuss it" for the time being. Similar comments were made by Labor, Shas and Likud leaders.
Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) spokesmen stated, "This is the time to talk about defeating terror and not about elections."
The rejuvenated National Union party, headed by Israel National News executive director Yaakov (Ketzaleh) Katz and MKs Uri Ariel and Prof. Aryeh Eldad, opposes a delay for two reasons. "We have no faith in this government that agreed to the 'calm' with Hamas that is the reason Grad-type Katyushas are falling in Be'er Sheva. Moreover, we cannot let terrorists determine the country's schedule," a party statement declared.
Meretz claimed that Israel would not be at war if the government would reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. All three Arab parties condemned Israel for the war and have opposed pushing back the February 10 date.
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by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Israelis are to vote on the next government in five weeks, but the war against Hamas has shelved campaigning. Pensioners party chairman Rafi Eitan wants a postponement of six weeks. All major parties are opposed to the idea, but an extended battle may change the picture.
Yehadut HaTorah (United Torah Judaism - UTJ) MK Moshe Gafne said, "For the time being, we have postponed our campaign. We have to wait and see in the next few days what will happen. If the war continues, there will be a need to delay the election."
MK Eitan, Tzomet chairman MK Elchanan Glazer and a relatively unknown party representing young Israelis have appealed to the Knesset Elections Committee to delay the February 10 voting. MK Eitan argued that it is deceptive to allow election campaigning when soldiers are on the battlefield and civilians are in bomb shelters.
The Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign has helped the larger parties maintain their strength, with Labor winning more support at the cost of the smaller parties.
General elections have been postponed only once - during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 in order to maintain national unity. A postponement effort today would involve a complicated and uncertain procedure that would require the support of 61 MKs and possibly 80 MKs to change the Basic Law and allow a dissolved government to continue to stay in power.
MK Eitan's proposal for a vote at the end of March also would cause a legal nightmare for the next government, which legally must pass a budget for the current year by March 31 or face dissolution. His suggested timing would require a coalition to be formed in the record time of several days and then pass an emergency budget.
Kadima leaders maintained that "there is no reason to postpone the elections and no reason to discuss it" for the time being. Similar comments were made by Labor, Shas and Likud leaders.
Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) spokesmen stated, "This is the time to talk about defeating terror and not about elections."
The rejuvenated National Union party, headed by Israel National News executive director Yaakov (Ketzaleh) Katz and MKs Uri Ariel and Prof. Aryeh Eldad, opposes a delay for two reasons. "We have no faith in this government that agreed to the 'calm' with Hamas that is the reason Grad-type Katyushas are falling in Be'er Sheva. Moreover, we cannot let terrorists determine the country's schedule," a party statement declared.
Meretz claimed that Israel would not be at war if the government would reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. All three Arab parties condemned Israel for the war and have opposed pushing back the February 10 date.
Comment on this story
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