1 aug 2015
Two rockets fired from Gaza Strip land in border fence area
Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip fell in the border fence area in the northern strip late Saturday night. Law enforcement has begun searching to see whether any projectiles fell in Israeli territory. No sirens were sounded.
Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip fell in the border fence area in the northern strip late Saturday night. Law enforcement has begun searching to see whether any projectiles fell in Israeli territory. No sirens were sounded.
27 july 2015
On Monday morning, the Israeli Ministerial Committee drafted an “anti-terrorism” law.
According to Israeli Channel 7, the committee is expected to approve the bill, which amends and expands the definition of “terrorist organizations”, and stresses that sanctions must be imposed on members of so-called organizations and perpetrators of “terrorist” attacks.
Under this bill, any members of organizations which fulfill the infrastructure necessary to be considered a “terrorist” organization will be sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, said the PNN. A member who holds a senior position in the organization could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Furthermore, according to the bill, any person who offers technical support, broadcast services or money laundering to the organization can be convicted. Furthermore, the bill prevents any judicial changes and reductions to the convicted sentence of 15 years or more.
According to Israeli Channel 7, the committee is expected to approve the bill, which amends and expands the definition of “terrorist organizations”, and stresses that sanctions must be imposed on members of so-called organizations and perpetrators of “terrorist” attacks.
Under this bill, any members of organizations which fulfill the infrastructure necessary to be considered a “terrorist” organization will be sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, said the PNN. A member who holds a senior position in the organization could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Furthermore, according to the bill, any person who offers technical support, broadcast services or money laundering to the organization can be convicted. Furthermore, the bill prevents any judicial changes and reductions to the convicted sentence of 15 years or more.
22 july 2015
Salafi groups in the Gaza Strip threatened, on Monday, to fire rockets at Israel in response to what they called “Hamas crimes and conspiracies” against Salafis living in the region.
The threat came in reaction to the arrest of militants suspected of targeting members of the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad Sunday with a series of bombings on Sunday.
According to Ma'an, the Salafi groups argued in a statement that Hamas' security services were utilizing the recent attacks "to justify its arrest campaign” as an excuse for disproportionate targeting of Salafis.
"The Salafis have decided to respond to these crimes and these blows dealt by Hamas by pointing rockets towards the occupation (Israel) and carrying out reprisals," the statement read.
“Hamas authorities raided homes of Salafi militants and carried out an arrest campaign hours after the explosions took place, considering that the explosions targeting leaders of the al-Qassam and al-Quds Brigades were ‘deliberate,'" the statement said, referring to the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad respectively.
The groups added that at least 12 Salafi members had been arrested in the last few hours.
"The results will be catastrophic, will benefit no one, and it will be Hamas who shoulders the responsibility," their statement said.
The threat comes amid a power struggle between Hamas and smaller extremist groups, including Salafis in Gaza, which is home to 1.8 million people and has been ravaged by three wars with Israel in six years. On Sunday, five near-simultaneous explosions targeted members of the armed branches of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts that rocked an area in Gaza City. A series of such attacks in recent months is suspected to have been carried out by Salafis, some of whom claim links with the Islamic State group, although experts have expressed doubts over whether there are any true ties between them.
While Israeli leadership has championed alarm over an alleged spread of IS into the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, as of June 84 percent of Palestinians viewed IS as a radical group that does not represent true Islam, according to results of a poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. There has been no confirmation from IS itself that it has a presence in Gaza.
In June, video footage alleged to be from an IS stronghold in Syria showcased a public challenge by the group against Hamas' power in Gaza, accusing the Gazan leadership of failing to enforce stringent religious law in the strip.
Salafi groups have claimed in recent weeks that around 100 of their members or supporters were behind bars. They also criticize Hamas for what they see as its lack of zeal in enforcing Islamic law as well as for its truce with Israel since last year's war in Gaza.
Experts have warned that the appeal of extremist groups may be growing, particularly among Gaza's disaffected youth who have been particularly hard hit by conflict, grinding poverty and soaring unemployment and feel let down by traditional Palestinian nationalist movements.
Growing extremism has led some to renew their call for an easing of the crippling Israeli blockade against the Gaza Strip in hopes that conditions will improve. Gaza's border with Egypt also remains strictly controlled.
The threat came in reaction to the arrest of militants suspected of targeting members of the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad Sunday with a series of bombings on Sunday.
According to Ma'an, the Salafi groups argued in a statement that Hamas' security services were utilizing the recent attacks "to justify its arrest campaign” as an excuse for disproportionate targeting of Salafis.
"The Salafis have decided to respond to these crimes and these blows dealt by Hamas by pointing rockets towards the occupation (Israel) and carrying out reprisals," the statement read.
“Hamas authorities raided homes of Salafi militants and carried out an arrest campaign hours after the explosions took place, considering that the explosions targeting leaders of the al-Qassam and al-Quds Brigades were ‘deliberate,'" the statement said, referring to the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad respectively.
The groups added that at least 12 Salafi members had been arrested in the last few hours.
"The results will be catastrophic, will benefit no one, and it will be Hamas who shoulders the responsibility," their statement said.
The threat comes amid a power struggle between Hamas and smaller extremist groups, including Salafis in Gaza, which is home to 1.8 million people and has been ravaged by three wars with Israel in six years. On Sunday, five near-simultaneous explosions targeted members of the armed branches of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts that rocked an area in Gaza City. A series of such attacks in recent months is suspected to have been carried out by Salafis, some of whom claim links with the Islamic State group, although experts have expressed doubts over whether there are any true ties between them.
While Israeli leadership has championed alarm over an alleged spread of IS into the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, as of June 84 percent of Palestinians viewed IS as a radical group that does not represent true Islam, according to results of a poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. There has been no confirmation from IS itself that it has a presence in Gaza.
In June, video footage alleged to be from an IS stronghold in Syria showcased a public challenge by the group against Hamas' power in Gaza, accusing the Gazan leadership of failing to enforce stringent religious law in the strip.
Salafi groups have claimed in recent weeks that around 100 of their members or supporters were behind bars. They also criticize Hamas for what they see as its lack of zeal in enforcing Islamic law as well as for its truce with Israel since last year's war in Gaza.
Experts have warned that the appeal of extremist groups may be growing, particularly among Gaza's disaffected youth who have been particularly hard hit by conflict, grinding poverty and soaring unemployment and feel let down by traditional Palestinian nationalist movements.
Growing extremism has led some to renew their call for an easing of the crippling Israeli blockade against the Gaza Strip in hopes that conditions will improve. Gaza's border with Egypt also remains strictly controlled.
16 july 2015
Infrastructure bombed in Gaza close to dawn; code red sirens sound in southern Israel as rocket hits open area; no damage or injuries reported after rocket strike.
The Israeli Air Force attacked an infrastructure target in Gaza early Thursday morning in response to a rocket that was fired from the Palestinian enclave just after 2am local time.
A passerby was lightly hurt in the Gaza Strip, according to residents while none of the organizations known to hold rocket stockpiles in Gaza initially claimed responsibility for the early morning rocket attack on Israel.
The rocket set off code red sirens in Zikim, parts of Ashkelon city and the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, earning a response from an IDF spokesperson who said Israel holds Hamas responsible for such incidents.
No damage or injuries were reported as a result of the Gazan missile that landed in an open area in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. Security forces are still searching the area to find the projectile.
"The IDF considers this incident a severe one," said the IDF spokesperson in announcing the retaliatory attack on Gaza. We won't put up with any attempt to harm Israeli civilians. Hamas is the address of responsibility."
Rocket fire on southern Israel has been on the rise over the past several weeks, including an incident in which ISIS affiliated militants in the Sinai Peninsula fired on Israel.
The Israeli Air Force attacked an infrastructure target in Gaza early Thursday morning in response to a rocket that was fired from the Palestinian enclave just after 2am local time.
A passerby was lightly hurt in the Gaza Strip, according to residents while none of the organizations known to hold rocket stockpiles in Gaza initially claimed responsibility for the early morning rocket attack on Israel.
The rocket set off code red sirens in Zikim, parts of Ashkelon city and the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, earning a response from an IDF spokesperson who said Israel holds Hamas responsible for such incidents.
No damage or injuries were reported as a result of the Gazan missile that landed in an open area in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. Security forces are still searching the area to find the projectile.
"The IDF considers this incident a severe one," said the IDF spokesperson in announcing the retaliatory attack on Gaza. We won't put up with any attempt to harm Israeli civilians. Hamas is the address of responsibility."
Rocket fire on southern Israel has been on the rise over the past several weeks, including an incident in which ISIS affiliated militants in the Sinai Peninsula fired on Israel.
9 july 2015
Hamas' military wing announced, on Wednesday night, that it developed two new homemade rockets, and gave them names of slain leaders.
In a rally held in the central square of the Gaza City to mark the first anniversary of latest Israeli onslaught against Gaza, Hamas Military Wing Al-Qassam Brigades announced developing new rockets.
Days of Palestine reports that, as hundreds of people were called to witness the announcement of the two rockets, Al-Qassam Spokesman Abu-Obaida praised Al-Qassam fighters and mourned those martyred during Israeli war on Gaza.
Abu-Obaida said that the two new rockets were given the names of the two most senior Qassam leaders assassinated by the Israeli occupation, during the war; Raed al-Attar and Mohamed abu-Shammaleh.
Brigades members, their faces covered with black Palestinian scarves (Kufiyeh), stood in front of what appeared to be models of two rockets about three to four metres (9 to 13 feet) in length aboard the bed of a military truck.
No more details were about range and warheads were announced.
In a rally held in the central square of the Gaza City to mark the first anniversary of latest Israeli onslaught against Gaza, Hamas Military Wing Al-Qassam Brigades announced developing new rockets.
Days of Palestine reports that, as hundreds of people were called to witness the announcement of the two rockets, Al-Qassam Spokesman Abu-Obaida praised Al-Qassam fighters and mourned those martyred during Israeli war on Gaza.
Abu-Obaida said that the two new rockets were given the names of the two most senior Qassam leaders assassinated by the Israeli occupation, during the war; Raed al-Attar and Mohamed abu-Shammaleh.
Brigades members, their faces covered with black Palestinian scarves (Kufiyeh), stood in front of what appeared to be models of two rockets about three to four metres (9 to 13 feet) in length aboard the bed of a military truck.
No more details were about range and warheads were announced.
“Intensive” efforts have been made to stabilize the ceasefire between Israeli occupation forces and Palestinian resistance in return for lifting the siege on Gaza, establishing a seaport and an airport, and implementing Gaza reconstruction, senior leader in Hamas Movement Salah Bardawil revealed.
Speaking to Quds Press on Thursday, Bardawil denied reports claiming new ceasefire talks or political negotiations were underway.
There are no new ceasefire talks; however, there are ongoing efforts to stabilize the ceasefire reached in Cairo agreement a year ago, he said.
Bardawil also denied the link between the ceasefire talks and any future prisoners exchange deal.
He stressed the importance of releasing the 53 ex-detainees, who were released as part of Wafa al-Ahrar (Shalit) swap deal, and were then rearrested last summer, before talking about any future prisoner exchange deal.
Israeli TV Channel 2 earlier revealed that Israeli authorities had appointed Lior Lotan at the head of a committee entrusted with negotiations for the return of the Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas.
The appointment came after Israeli Security Services admitted that two Israelis and two dead soldiers are being held captive by Hamas in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Speaking to Quds Press on Thursday, Bardawil denied reports claiming new ceasefire talks or political negotiations were underway.
There are no new ceasefire talks; however, there are ongoing efforts to stabilize the ceasefire reached in Cairo agreement a year ago, he said.
Bardawil also denied the link between the ceasefire talks and any future prisoners exchange deal.
He stressed the importance of releasing the 53 ex-detainees, who were released as part of Wafa al-Ahrar (Shalit) swap deal, and were then rearrested last summer, before talking about any future prisoner exchange deal.
Israeli TV Channel 2 earlier revealed that Israeli authorities had appointed Lior Lotan at the head of a committee entrusted with negotiations for the return of the Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas.
The appointment came after Israeli Security Services admitted that two Israelis and two dead soldiers are being held captive by Hamas in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has described Wednesday Hamas's armed wing fighters as "courageous."
“We must be honest and say that we fought against brave men,” Gantz said during an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2 News on the first anniversary of the Israeli summer aggression on Gaza.
"To run up and try to put an explosive charge upon a tank is the act of courageous people," he added.
The latest conflict in Gaza was the most ruinous of three recent wars, killing more than 2,147 Palestinians, including 530 children and 302 women. Another 11,000 were wounded, and some 100,000 people remain homeless.
The aggression began on July 7 when Israel fired hundreds of missiles at Gaza Strip, destroying dozens of residential buildings and civilian homes.
For its part, Palestinian resistance responded by firing heavy barrages of rockets towards Israeli border areas and carried out unprecedented operations against Israeli military targets.
“We must be honest and say that we fought against brave men,” Gantz said during an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2 News on the first anniversary of the Israeli summer aggression on Gaza.
"To run up and try to put an explosive charge upon a tank is the act of courageous people," he added.
The latest conflict in Gaza was the most ruinous of three recent wars, killing more than 2,147 Palestinians, including 530 children and 302 women. Another 11,000 were wounded, and some 100,000 people remain homeless.
The aggression began on July 7 when Israel fired hundreds of missiles at Gaza Strip, destroying dozens of residential buildings and civilian homes.
For its part, Palestinian resistance responded by firing heavy barrages of rockets towards Israeli border areas and carried out unprecedented operations against Israeli military targets.
6 july 2015
The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs on Sunday denied that its minister Riyadh al-Malki had made remarks about the involvement of the Hamas Movement in attacks against the Egyptian army in the Sinai.
In a press release, the ministry described the news reports in this regard as rumors and demanded the media outlets to be accurate when reporting such news.
According to recent news reports, Malki was quoted as saying that the Palestinian Authority became convinced of Hamas's involvement in the recent events in the Sinai after it had received confirmed information in this regard from Cairo.
A spokesman for a-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, in turn, categorically denied any involvement in the attacks on Egyptian military and police forces in the Sinai and affirmed that the Brigades have no agenda outside Palestine and its weapon is only used against the occupation.
In a press release, the ministry described the news reports in this regard as rumors and demanded the media outlets to be accurate when reporting such news.
According to recent news reports, Malki was quoted as saying that the Palestinian Authority became convinced of Hamas's involvement in the recent events in the Sinai after it had received confirmed information in this regard from Cairo.
A spokesman for a-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, in turn, categorically denied any involvement in the attacks on Egyptian military and police forces in the Sinai and affirmed that the Brigades have no agenda outside Palestine and its weapon is only used against the occupation.
4 july 2015
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, strongly denied the Israeli claims over its involvement in the terrorist attacks in Sinai Peninsula.
Abu Obaida, the spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said on Saturday on his official Twitter page that these statements are sheer lies and are aimed at sowing discord and disagreement between Hamas and Egypt.
Abu Obaida stressed that the armed wing of Hamas is only fighting inside Palestine and that it doesn’t have any “foreign agenda”.
Abu Obaida, the spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said on Saturday on his official Twitter page that these statements are sheer lies and are aimed at sowing discord and disagreement between Hamas and Egypt.
Abu Obaida stressed that the armed wing of Hamas is only fighting inside Palestine and that it doesn’t have any “foreign agenda”.
On Wednesday, terror attacks were carried out by Islamic State (IS) militants in Sinai, killing 17 Egyptian soldiers. Israel has since alleged that Hamas aided IS in these attacks, an accusation that Egypt has yet to comment on.
Despite the fact that Islamic State on Wednesday released a video effectively declaring war on Hamas, Israel has been extraordinarily eager to find a link between Hamas and IS.
Israel’s newly-appointed minister of intelligence affairs, Likud’s Yisrael Katz, first reported an operational link between Hamas and IS on Wednesday, which was then confirmed in an interview with Al Jazeera by Major General Yoav Mordechai, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) senior commander. For the past 6 months, Mordechai has been the main Israeli character in the indirect negotiations and communication between Israel and Hamas.
In his interview with Al Jazeera, Mordechai directly accused Hamas of helping Islamic State in its operations in Sinai, northern Egypt.
This comes after anonymous Israeli defense officials were quoted by Haaretz as linking Hamas to Wilayat Sinai, an extremist group claiming allegiance to IS. According to Haaretz, the officials said that Hamas was providing medical treatment in Gaza hospitals for wounded insurgents, as well as cooperating with other regional jihadi groups in arms smuggling.
Mordechai is the first Israeli official to make these accusations in public:
“I am convinced of what I’m saying, and I have proof”.
Israel had been remarkably restrained in its dealings with Hamas in recent times, despite the fact that rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip (although these were reportedly fired by Salafi rebels and not by Hamas). Israeli officials even commended Hamas for taking steps to ‘rein in’ the rocket fire, according to Haaretz.
So why is Israel making these accusations now?
Hamas has been keen to pursure a more lasting truce with Israel- of up to 5 years- however, some political analysts expect these recent allegations to have some effect in derailing these fragile attempts at peace.
Hamas’ relations with its Arab neighbours had also been easing, with dialogue beginning to open up with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which helps to maintain the blockade on Gaza’s borders. Evidence may be seen of this easing in the fact that Egypt agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt for the first time in two years, albeit only for a few days. Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas also stepped in to try and alleviate the suffering of the 1.8 million people still trapped in the Gaza Strip.
Egypt itself has avoided placing the blame for Wednesday’s bloody attack on Hamas.
According to Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Hamas spokesman Mousa Abu Marzouk on Friday condemned the attacks in Sinai, saying that they ‘undermine our security’.
He pointed to the recent improvement in Hamas-Egyptian relations, which he said ‘have indeed grown stronger’. This may be taken as an indirect response to Israel’s allegations of Hamas involvement, an allegation that Hamas had dismissed as ‘propaganda’ only hours before.
He added that Hamas had strengthened its guard stationed at the border with Egypt since the attack, saying that:
“We will not allow anyone to cross the border.”
Rockets were fired last night from inside Sinai into the Askul region of southern Israel.
According to Hebrew sources, a rocket landed in open land in Askul region of southern Israel, in the Western Negev close to the borders of Sinai, on Friday night. The Israeli army has been searching for the perpetrator of the launch, but they remain unidentified.
Israeli sources said that most rockets landing in Israel were now coming from inside the Sinai region.
Despite the fact that Islamic State on Wednesday released a video effectively declaring war on Hamas, Israel has been extraordinarily eager to find a link between Hamas and IS.
Israel’s newly-appointed minister of intelligence affairs, Likud’s Yisrael Katz, first reported an operational link between Hamas and IS on Wednesday, which was then confirmed in an interview with Al Jazeera by Major General Yoav Mordechai, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) senior commander. For the past 6 months, Mordechai has been the main Israeli character in the indirect negotiations and communication between Israel and Hamas.
In his interview with Al Jazeera, Mordechai directly accused Hamas of helping Islamic State in its operations in Sinai, northern Egypt.
This comes after anonymous Israeli defense officials were quoted by Haaretz as linking Hamas to Wilayat Sinai, an extremist group claiming allegiance to IS. According to Haaretz, the officials said that Hamas was providing medical treatment in Gaza hospitals for wounded insurgents, as well as cooperating with other regional jihadi groups in arms smuggling.
Mordechai is the first Israeli official to make these accusations in public:
“I am convinced of what I’m saying, and I have proof”.
Israel had been remarkably restrained in its dealings with Hamas in recent times, despite the fact that rockets have been fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip (although these were reportedly fired by Salafi rebels and not by Hamas). Israeli officials even commended Hamas for taking steps to ‘rein in’ the rocket fire, according to Haaretz.
So why is Israel making these accusations now?
Hamas has been keen to pursure a more lasting truce with Israel- of up to 5 years- however, some political analysts expect these recent allegations to have some effect in derailing these fragile attempts at peace.
Hamas’ relations with its Arab neighbours had also been easing, with dialogue beginning to open up with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which helps to maintain the blockade on Gaza’s borders. Evidence may be seen of this easing in the fact that Egypt agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt for the first time in two years, albeit only for a few days. Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas also stepped in to try and alleviate the suffering of the 1.8 million people still trapped in the Gaza Strip.
Egypt itself has avoided placing the blame for Wednesday’s bloody attack on Hamas.
According to Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Hamas spokesman Mousa Abu Marzouk on Friday condemned the attacks in Sinai, saying that they ‘undermine our security’.
He pointed to the recent improvement in Hamas-Egyptian relations, which he said ‘have indeed grown stronger’. This may be taken as an indirect response to Israel’s allegations of Hamas involvement, an allegation that Hamas had dismissed as ‘propaganda’ only hours before.
He added that Hamas had strengthened its guard stationed at the border with Egypt since the attack, saying that:
“We will not allow anyone to cross the border.”
Rockets were fired last night from inside Sinai into the Askul region of southern Israel.
According to Hebrew sources, a rocket landed in open land in Askul region of southern Israel, in the Western Negev close to the borders of Sinai, on Friday night. The Israeli army has been searching for the perpetrator of the launch, but they remain unidentified.
Israeli sources said that most rockets landing in Israel were now coming from inside the Sinai region.
3 july 2015
Sinai Province, Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, claims responsibility for Grad, while Egyptian military denies any rockets fired from the peninsula.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, Sinai Province, said in a statement posted on Twitter by supporters that it had launched three Grad rockets towards "occupied Palestine".
The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, initially claimed responsibility over the firing of the rocket, but later said the announcement was a result of miscommunication.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, a military source told Reuters.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
Rocket fired from Sinai by ISIS-affiliated group lands in Eshkol
The rocket that fell near the Sinai border
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fire, but military source says rocket came from Sinai.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Because of the proximity to the border, the IDF believes the rocket was fired from the Sinai Peninsula and not from the Gaza Strip. The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, claimed responsibility over the firing of the Sinai-made rocket.
"Yes, the rocket was fired from Sinai," a military source told Reuters.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, the military source said.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, Sinai Province, said in a statement posted on Twitter by supporters that it had launched three Grad rockets towards "occupied Palestine".
The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, initially claimed responsibility over the firing of the rocket, but later said the announcement was a result of miscommunication.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, a military source told Reuters.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
Rocket fired from Sinai by ISIS-affiliated group lands in Eshkol
The rocket that fell near the Sinai border
Salafist group in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fire, but military source says rocket came from Sinai.
A rocket fired at southern Israel landed on Friday afternoon in an open area at the Eshkol Regional Council, close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. No one was hurt and no damage was caused.
Because of the proximity to the border, the IDF believes the rocket was fired from the Sinai Peninsula and not from the Gaza Strip. The Islamic State-affiliated Salafist organization in Gaza, the Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, claimed responsibility over the firing of the Sinai-made rocket.
"Yes, the rocket was fired from Sinai," a military source told Reuters.
It was possible the launch was linked to the fighting in Sinai, the military source said.
Egyptian military and security officials in Sinai denied any rockets were fired from the restive peninsula.
The rocket fire was preceeded with a code red siren shortly before 4:30 pm in Avshalom, Bnei Netsarim, Dekel, Yevul, Yated, Neve, Pri Gan, Sdei Avraham, Shlomit and Talmei Yosef - all communities near the Israel-Egypt border.
The rocket fire comes after two days of violent fighting between the Egyptian army and Islamic State-linked jihadists in Sinai.
After a combined assault launched by the Islamic State early Wednesday morning in Sinai, the IDF increased its presence on the Egyptian border. As part of the new raised level of alert, Highway 12 in southern Israel was closed to civilians since 5 am Friday morning.
The IDF said the "highway closing was done temporarily in line with the situation assessments, out of security considerations and the obligation to protect the citizens of Israel."
On Wednesday, jihadist terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State attacked at least 10 posts of the Egyptian army in Sinai and other targets in the peninsula. The jihadists also launched a series of terrorist bombings, using advanced weapons with which they reportedly killed some 70 Egyptian security forces.
Egypt called for aerial assistance, and Cairo claims its fighter jets killed at least 100 terrorists. Meanwhile, Cairo claimed only 17 of its soldiers were killed in the terror attacks.
2 july 2015
Hamas Movement strongly denied on Thursday Israeli claims over its alleged involvement in planning and conducting military operations outside the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).
Spokesman for the Movement Houssam Badran described the Israeli claims as blatant incitement against the group targeting its good relationship with the pro-Palestinian countries.
Such allegations came to cover the Israeli failure to stop resistance operations in the West Bank, Badran said.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, doesn’t need to take anybody’s permission to resist Israeli occupation forces and settlers, he continued.
The senior leader in Hamas Movement stressed the importance of the Palestinian resistance fighters’ right to resist occupation by all possible means.
Spokesman for the Movement Houssam Badran described the Israeli claims as blatant incitement against the group targeting its good relationship with the pro-Palestinian countries.
Such allegations came to cover the Israeli failure to stop resistance operations in the West Bank, Badran said.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, doesn’t need to take anybody’s permission to resist Israeli occupation forces and settlers, he continued.
The senior leader in Hamas Movement stressed the importance of the Palestinian resistance fighters’ right to resist occupation by all possible means.
1 july 2015
Yoram Cohen
The chief of Israeli Security Agency (ISA/ Shin Bet) said today that Hamas and its military factions such as the al-Qassam Brigades are restoring their military capabilities in preparation for the next confrontation with Israel.
Shin Bet’s General Security Chief, Yoram Cohen, said today that Hamas expects the next confrontation will come soon and is therefore making an enourmous effort to prepare itself and renovate the tunnels which were destroyed in the last Israeli attack on Gaza.
Cohen added in front of the Committee of Foreign Affairs and Security that Hamas and its military factions were ready to wage a war like that of last year. He said that Hamas was now able to deal heavy blows out to Israel as it had rockets capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.
Cohen stressed that Hamas was currently building its military capability, although it did not want to begin a war with Israel until it had maximized its military force. A new war with Israel at this point would not be possible as Hamas has lost a lot of support from the population of Gaza in the aftermath of the last war, reported Cohen. This is due in part to the delayed restoration of Gaza homes and in part to the lack of any positive results from the war such as the release of political prisoners from Israel and the building of an air or seaport.
Isma’il Haniya, representative of the Head of the Political Office of Hamas, said during a meeting last night in Rafah that Hamas had come through the Israeli aggression last year stronger than ever, pointing to the openness in the relations with Egypt and with other Arab countries.
The chief of Israeli Security Agency (ISA/ Shin Bet) said today that Hamas and its military factions such as the al-Qassam Brigades are restoring their military capabilities in preparation for the next confrontation with Israel.
Shin Bet’s General Security Chief, Yoram Cohen, said today that Hamas expects the next confrontation will come soon and is therefore making an enourmous effort to prepare itself and renovate the tunnels which were destroyed in the last Israeli attack on Gaza.
Cohen added in front of the Committee of Foreign Affairs and Security that Hamas and its military factions were ready to wage a war like that of last year. He said that Hamas was now able to deal heavy blows out to Israel as it had rockets capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.
Cohen stressed that Hamas was currently building its military capability, although it did not want to begin a war with Israel until it had maximized its military force. A new war with Israel at this point would not be possible as Hamas has lost a lot of support from the population of Gaza in the aftermath of the last war, reported Cohen. This is due in part to the delayed restoration of Gaza homes and in part to the lack of any positive results from the war such as the release of political prisoners from Israel and the building of an air or seaport.
Isma’il Haniya, representative of the Head of the Political Office of Hamas, said during a meeting last night in Rafah that Hamas had come through the Israeli aggression last year stronger than ever, pointing to the openness in the relations with Egypt and with other Arab countries.