IDF stronger than everGuy Bechor - YNet News, November 25th, 2010 Alexander the Great, the man who conquered the ancient world, said that those who develop new combat methods or who possess new arms will be triumphant. Indeed, at this time Israel is creating strategic military advantage that is unprecedented in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.A series of innovations at sea, in the air and on the ground that the enemy does not possess – and will not possess – is completely changing the balance of power in the Middle East. With these innovations, the IDF is turning into an unquestionably powerful and deterring army. This year and next year, we’ll be receiving two more German-made Dolphin submarines, which together with the Israeli technological developments installed in them are no doubt among the world’s most advanced subs. This will bring the number of advanced submarines possessed by the Navy to five; according to foreign reports, these subs can fire ballistic (and potentially nuclear) missiles. According to foreign reports, this is the most effective nuclear deterrent power we have vis-à-vis Iran. Only five other states possess ballistic submarines with nuclear potential: The United States, Russia, China, France, and Britain. Upon the arrival of the two new subs in Israel, we’ll be the world’s third-strongest power on this front, ahead of China, France, and Britain. The submarines are mobile and elusive, they cannot be eliminated easily, and they can get very close to their target. For those reasons, France decided to completely annul its ground-based nuclear missile arsenal and make do with nuclear power in the air and at sea. The territorial element, which was always problematic in Israel, is resolved through the subs. Germany took part in funding all the Dolphin submarines thus far: It bore all the production costs of the first and second subs, half of the third’s, and one-third of the fourth and fifth ones, according to German media reports. Israel’s tank revolution Meanwhile, President Obama promised Israel another 20 stealth F-35 aircraft in connection with the freeze. In any case, Israel will receive the first 20 such planes, paid for with US military aid funds. The advantage of these aircraft, which cost $2.7 billion, is that they cannot be detected by enemy radar and can land and take off vertically. The planes will only arrive in four years, yet at that time the Air Force would be able to fly through the Middle East undetected. According to reports this month, the IDF is also starting to receive the new anti-missile defense system for its advanced tanks. For the time being, the advanced Merkava 4 tanks had been reinforced with the system, and the intention is to gradually equip all IDF tanks with it. This innovative system, which is made by Israel’s armament authority Rafael and was developed in Israel, is the only one of its kind in the world. Its quality is attested to by the fact that the US wants to purchase it for its troops in Afghanistan. So why is it a strategic revolution and not just another weapons system? Because it may eliminate the superiority of states like Syria and groups like Hezbollah in respect to anti-tank missiles. Hezbollah premised its entire combat doctrine following the Second Lebanon War on thousands of anti-tank missiles. It did not bother acquiring any tanks because of this missile tactic. Yet should these missiles be neutralized, Hezbollah shall remain vulnerable in the face of the advancing Israeli armored corps. The same is true for Syria and its outdated tanks. And so, the strategic balance in the region is completely changing, and the enemy clearly understands the implications of a new regional war. ========= Italian, Israel Air Force Complete Joint Aerial ExerciseIsrael Air Force - November 26, 2010  F-15 and F-16 Fighter aircraft from four Israel Air Force squadrons deployed to Sardinia for two weeks in November, to train with the Italian Air Force. Photo: IDF The Israeli and Italian air Forces concluded an extensive, two-week exercise in Sardinia today. Members from four Israel Air Force fighter squadrons participated in the exercise, “The Twin-Tail Knights” and “The Spearhead” flying F-15Cs and Ds from the Tel-Nof base, and the “Defenders Of The South” and “The Golden Eagle” squadrons from the Nevatim IAF base, flying F-16. The exercise was the first international training deployment of the “Eitam” (G550), an Early Warning & Control aircraft aircraft. The Italian element in the exercise played the ‘red team’ of adversary air force, challenging the Israelis with Eurofighter Typhoons, AMXs, Panavia Tornado and F-16s ‘aggressors’. International training deployments are essential for the IAF to maintain pilot skills in extended range operation, under changing weather conditions, over unfamiliar areas, fly at low altitude over the vast uninhibited areas of the island, perform precision navigation flights and practice cooperation with foreign NATO elements as part of coalition operations. The IAF is deploying to Sardinia for several years. In October 2009 Israeli Air Force F-15E and F-16I also deployed to Cagliari base in Sardinia, to participate in a similar exercise. According to Lt. Col A., “The Golden Eagle” squadron leader, the international training program will incorporate more air forces in the future, and the Italian Air Force plans to deploy aircraft on training missions to Israel in the future. Few weeks ago IAF helicopters units were deployed to Greece and Romania for similar training. Earlier this summer a CH-53 helicopter was lost over the Karpatian Alps, killing its crew of five personnel, during one such international training session. In past years the IAF was regularly training in Turkey, under the Anatolian eagle and bilateral cooperation training agreement Israel and Turkey established in past years. However this cooperation ceased this year under government pressure. |
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Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
The Meir Amit
Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center
November 28, 2010
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e144.htm
Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have recently once again made use
of phosphorus-containing 120-mm mortar shells
Eshkol Regional Council PR department
One of the phosphorus mortar shells located in Israeli territory
(Eshkol Regional Council PR department)
Overview
1. On November 19, a phosphorus-containing mortar shell was fired at Israel
from the Gaza Strip. It was part of an unusual attack consisting of four
rockets and seven mortar shells, which may have been fired in response to
the killing of Islam Yassin, an Army of Islam operative who was planning to
abduct Israelis in the Sinai Peninsula. The Israeli Foreign Minister
instructed the Israeli ambassador to the UN to submit a complaint to the UN
Secretary General and to the Security Council chairman (Israel's Foreign
Ministry website, November 19, 2010).
2. In a previous incident which took place on the morning of September 15,
2010, one day after the Sharm el-Sheikh summit,1 terrorist organizations in
the Gaza Strip fired an exceptional number of rockets and mortar shells at
Israel (about 10 rockets). The mortar shells landed in the Eshkol Regional
Council territory. At least two of them were 120-mm mortar shells which
contained white phosphorus.2 No casualties or damage were reported.
3. Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have used phosphorus-containing
mortar shells before. In Operation Cast Lead, a number of such mortar shells
were fired on IDF forces, probably by Hamas. Prior to these two incidents,
however, terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip avoided making
routine use of such mortar shells.
Implications of the phosphorus mortar shell fire
4. A phosphorus shell is a mortar shell based on white phosphorus. The
phosphorus ignites on contact with oxygen. The shell continues to burn as
long as the ignition substance inside remains in contact with oxygen.
Phosphorus shells are mostly used to hit exposed infantry, create smoke
screens, and obstruct visibility for forces on the ground.
5. The collateral damage caused by phosphorus-containing mortar shells is
relatively small compared to regular explosive mortar shells; however, they
may have a major negative impact on morale. On contact with the human body,
the phosphorus may cause extensive burns and even damage to internal organs.
The shells can also cause fires and set crops on fire.
Terrorist organizations' reaction to charges of using phosphorus shells
6. In the two incidents, Hamas denied using phosphorus-containing mortar
shells:
a. Hamas administration spokesman Taher al-Nunu claimed that Foreign
Minister Lieberman’s remarks on the use of phosphorus shells were untrue. He
said they were designed to cast the “resistance” (i.e., the terrorist
organizations) in a negative light and provide an excuse for Israel’s own
use of such ammunition (Al-Quds TV, November 20, 2010).
b. Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri claimed that no “phosphorus bombs” had been
fired at Israel and that Israel was making an attempt to justify its
intensifying military operations against the Gaza Strip and divert public
opinion on the international scene (Palestine-info, September 15, 2010).
c. On the other hand, an Al-Jazeera reporter said that the use of
phosphorus was hardly a surprise. Al-Jazeera crew doing a research piece on
the activity of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (the Hamas military wing)
had discovered that they recycled white phosphorus from Israeli shells found
in the Gaza Strip and stored it in the Gaza Strip, apparently for future use
(Al-Jazeera, September 16, 2010).
1 Following up on the re-launch of direct negotiations in Washington on
September 14, a summit was held in Sharm el-Sheikh between Israel’s PM
Benjamin Netanyahu and PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The summit was also
attended by Egypt’s President Mubarak, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, and U.S. special envoy George Mitchell.
2 Following are technical details on the 120-mm phosphorus mortar shell:
warhead—white phosphorus, a substance which spontaneously ignites on contact
with oxygen and creates a smoke screen; diameter—120 mm; length—about 60 cm
(2 feet); weight—about 13 kg (29 lbs.); range—about 6 km (4 mi).
The Meir Amit
Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center
November 28, 2010
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e144.htm
Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have recently once again made use
of phosphorus-containing 120-mm mortar shells
Eshkol Regional Council PR department
One of the phosphorus mortar shells located in Israeli territory
(Eshkol Regional Council PR department)
Overview
1. On November 19, a phosphorus-containing mortar shell was fired at Israel
from the Gaza Strip. It was part of an unusual attack consisting of four
rockets and seven mortar shells, which may have been fired in response to
the killing of Islam Yassin, an Army of Islam operative who was planning to
abduct Israelis in the Sinai Peninsula. The Israeli Foreign Minister
instructed the Israeli ambassador to the UN to submit a complaint to the UN
Secretary General and to the Security Council chairman (Israel's Foreign
Ministry website, November 19, 2010).
2. In a previous incident which took place on the morning of September 15,
2010, one day after the Sharm el-Sheikh summit,1 terrorist organizations in
the Gaza Strip fired an exceptional number of rockets and mortar shells at
Israel (about 10 rockets). The mortar shells landed in the Eshkol Regional
Council territory. At least two of them were 120-mm mortar shells which
contained white phosphorus.2 No casualties or damage were reported.
3. Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have used phosphorus-containing
mortar shells before. In Operation Cast Lead, a number of such mortar shells
were fired on IDF forces, probably by Hamas. Prior to these two incidents,
however, terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip avoided making
routine use of such mortar shells.
Implications of the phosphorus mortar shell fire
4. A phosphorus shell is a mortar shell based on white phosphorus. The
phosphorus ignites on contact with oxygen. The shell continues to burn as
long as the ignition substance inside remains in contact with oxygen.
Phosphorus shells are mostly used to hit exposed infantry, create smoke
screens, and obstruct visibility for forces on the ground.
5. The collateral damage caused by phosphorus-containing mortar shells is
relatively small compared to regular explosive mortar shells; however, they
may have a major negative impact on morale. On contact with the human body,
the phosphorus may cause extensive burns and even damage to internal organs.
The shells can also cause fires and set crops on fire.
Terrorist organizations' reaction to charges of using phosphorus shells
6. In the two incidents, Hamas denied using phosphorus-containing mortar
shells:
a. Hamas administration spokesman Taher al-Nunu claimed that Foreign
Minister Lieberman’s remarks on the use of phosphorus shells were untrue. He
said they were designed to cast the “resistance” (i.e., the terrorist
organizations) in a negative light and provide an excuse for Israel’s own
use of such ammunition (Al-Quds TV, November 20, 2010).
b. Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri claimed that no “phosphorus bombs” had been
fired at Israel and that Israel was making an attempt to justify its
intensifying military operations against the Gaza Strip and divert public
opinion on the international scene (Palestine-info, September 15, 2010).
c. On the other hand, an Al-Jazeera reporter said that the use of
phosphorus was hardly a surprise. Al-Jazeera crew doing a research piece on
the activity of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (the Hamas military wing)
had discovered that they recycled white phosphorus from Israeli shells found
in the Gaza Strip and stored it in the Gaza Strip, apparently for future use
(Al-Jazeera, September 16, 2010).
1 Following up on the re-launch of direct negotiations in Washington on
September 14, a summit was held in Sharm el-Sheikh between Israel’s PM
Benjamin Netanyahu and PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The summit was also
attended by Egypt’s President Mubarak, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, and U.S. special envoy George Mitchell.
2 Following are technical details on the 120-mm phosphorus mortar shell:
warhead—white phosphorus, a substance which spontaneously ignites on contact
with oxygen and creates a smoke screen; diameter—120 mm; length—about 60 cm
(2 feet); weight—about 13 kg (29 lbs.); range—about 6 km (4 mi).
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