Gaza Strip Terrorist Activity Report

Military-Strategic Information Section // The Strategic Division

Defining Trends The West Bank While Israel, the international community, and the PA keep on working toward implementing security, civilian, economic and movement related improvements, terrorist infrastructure activity continues. Palestinian Security Force operations in the West Bank continue but their scope and quality must be increased. Arms in large quantities have been confiscated from Palestinians and attempted attacks against IDF forces have not ceased. There have been a couple of incidents involving Palestinians carrying improvised and pipe bombs. In another incident, IDF forces confiscated a mobile phone that has been adapted into an explosive detonator accompanied by 30 bags of gunpowder. Attempted attacks are still noted, as witnessed by the many cases of rioting and rock throwing of the past month. In one such case, on January 31st, Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian petrol tanker who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a checkpoint. The Israeli driver was injured severely in addition to other injuries reported.

Defining Trends The Gaza Strip Humanitarian efforts to the Gaza Strip continue, including transfers of food, equipment, and medical supplies. Nevertheless, terrorist activity has continued and even intensified. There has been a significant increase in the number of attacks from the Gaza Strip in January, with a sharp increase noted in mortar shell launchings – 28 launchings in January 2010 as opposed to 3 launchings in December 2009. Israel will continue to respond to attacks as it sees fit. Last month, following attacks, the Israel Air Force initiated pinpoint strikes targeting an ammunition warehouse in 'Gaza city' and 5 smuggling tunnels.

January 1st-6th Major Events – West Bank

January 7th Major Events – West Bank

January 10th-14th Weekend January 8th-9th Major Events – West Bank January 8th – Approximately 250 Palestinian and several Israeli rioters threw stones at each other near 'Halamish'. Stones were also thrown at IDF and BGP forces that arrived at the scene. Israeli forces dispersed the riot, lightly injuring 4 Palestinians. January 10th – IDF forces demolished 14 illegal buildings near 'Gitit'. A Palestinian attempted to run over an Israeli policeman by 'Kiryat Arba'. In response, the policeman fired several shots, injuring the Palestinian. A group of Palestinian rioters threw stones at BGP forces at the ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint.

January 14th Major Events – West Bank January 14th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle near 'Pnei Heber'. As a result, one Israeli citizen was injured. A mock-explosive device was discovered by an IDF mobilized patrol near 'Peduel'. The explosive device was dismantled by IDF sappers. A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at Israeli civilian vehicles near 'Hashmonaim‘ and ‘Betar’. An Israeli citizen was injured in ‘Hashmonaim’ and another Israeli citizen was injured in ‘Betar’. An improvised bomb was thrown at BGF forces at the IDF ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint.

Weekend January 15th-16th January 17th-21st Major Events – West Bank January 15th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones near 'Ginot Shomron'. An Israeli citizen was injured. Palestinian rioters threw stones by 'Hashmonaim'. IDF mobilized forces secured the area. An IDF soldier was injured in the process. January 16th –Two Palestinians with five pipe bombs were arrested by IDF forces by 'Bekaot'. The pipe bombs were dismantled by the IDF. January 17th – Approximately 100 Palestinian rioters threw stones at an IDF mobilized patrol near 'Yitzhar'. IDF forces dispersed the riot. January 20th – BGP forces demolished 3 illegal Israeli structures near ‘Migron’. A mock-explosive device was discovered by IDF forces near ‘Ofarim’

Weekend January 22nd-23rd Major Events – West Bank January 22nd – A pipe bomb was detonated against BGP forces at the ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint. January 23rd – 200 Palestinian rioters threw stones near ‘Halamish’. BGP forces dispersed the riot and 8 Palestinians were injured as a result. 80 Palestinian and Israeli rioters threw stones in ‘Rehes Hasela’. BGP forces dispersed the riot and a Palestinian was inured as a result.

January 25th-28th Major Events – West Bank January 27th – 5 Palestinians with a hunting rifle were arrested near 'Shavei Shomron'. IDF forces confiscated 5 shock grenades, a fragmentation grenade, and a used bomb shell near 'Ariel‘, as well as an artillery and grenade shell near ‘Tul Karem’. 10 kg of explosives, a pipe bomb, and 2 mortar shells were handed over to an IDF force near 'Tul Karem'. January 28th – A Palestinian vehicle attempted to run over a BGP soldier near the IDF checkpoint in ‘Ein Yael’. The BGP soldier was injured and the vehicle escaped. An IDF force near the ‘Salem’ checkpoint confiscated a mobile phone which had been adapted into an explosive detonator and 30 bags of gunpowder. The explosives were dismantled by the IDF.

Weekend January 29th-31st Major Events – West Bank

Weekend January 29th-31st Major Events – West Bank January 31st – Palestinian and Israeli rioters threw stones at one another in the city of 'Hebron'. During the riot, a Palestinian attempted to attack 2 BGP soldiers. An IDF mobilized force dispersed the riot, injuring one Palestinian. A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian petrol tanker near the ‘Kalandia’ checkpoint. The Israeli driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the checkpoint, hitting 3 cars. Civilian security guards shot at the Israeli driver. 6 Israeli civilians were injured. The Israeli driver was injured severely. An anti-personnel mine was found by IDF forces during a mobilized patrol near 'Tirza'.

Weekend January 1st-2nd January 3rd Major Events – Gaza Strip January 1st – The Israel Air Force successfully targeted 2 terrorist tunnels near the ‘Kissufim’ and ‘Karni’ crossings leading from the northern and southern Gaza Strip toward Israel. Palestinian media reported that 2 Palestinians were injured. January 3rd – Shots were fired at Israeli civilian workers near the 'Karni' crossing. IDF forces fired back at suspicious points. A 'Qassam' rocket hit near the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing.

January 4th-6th Major Events – Gaza Strip January 4th – 3 mortar shells were launched at IDF forces near the 'Erez' crossing. According to the Palestinian media, the Popular Resistance Committees took responsibility for the mortar shell while the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine took responsibility for the other 2 mortar shells. In another incident, a mortar shell was launched at IDF forces near 'Kissufim' crossing. January 5th– The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting a number of Palestinians who had attempted to fire a mortar shell near 'Kissufim' crossing. Palestinian media reported that a Palestinian was killed and 3 were injured. The Palestinians were members of the Popular Resistance Committees organization.

January 7th Major Events – Gaza Strip January 7th – 3 mortar shells hit inside the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing. The Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility. In other incidents, 3 mortar shells hit by 'Kfar Aza‘ and 2 mortar shells hit near the 'Karni' crossing, in Gaza Strip territory. An anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF mobilized patrol near the 'Karni' crossing. IDF forces shot at suspicious points. A 'Qassam' rocket was launched from near the 'Erez' crossing and was detected hitting near the 'Zikim' junction, south of 'Ashkelon‘.

Weekend January 8th-9th Major Events – Gaza Strip January 8th – The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting an ammunition warehouse in the 'Tel Al Hawa' neighborhood of 'Gaza City’, a smuggling tunnel near the 'Kissufim' crossing, a smuggling tunnel by the 'Kerem Shalom' crossing, and a smuggling tunnel by the 'Rafah' crossing. As a result of the pinpointed attack near ‘Rafah’ crossing, Palestinians reported 3 Palestinians were killed and 6 were injured. A rocket was launched from Jabaliyah R.C. and hit near 'Erez' crossing, inside the Gaza Strip. A rocket was launched from near 'Kissufim' crossing.

January 10th-14th Major Events – Gaza Strip January 10th - A rocket landed by the 'Erez' crossing. The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting 3 Palestinians attempting to launch a rocket near 'Kissufim' crossing. According to Palestinian media, 3 Palestinians were killed, 2 of them were members of the PIJ Organization. January 11th – A ‘Qassam’ rocket was launched from near the 'El Bureij' R.C. An explosion was witnessed by an IDF mobilized force near 'Erez' crossing. Palestinians reports indicated that 2 Palestinians were killed and one was injured in the explosion.

Weekend January 15th-16th Major Events – Gaza Strip January 15th - A rocket was launched by the 'Kissufim‘ crossing. A mortar shell landed in Kibbutz 'Netiv Ha'asara'. January 16th –Two mortar shells were launched near the 'Kissufim' crossing. Both mortar shells landed by the 'Kissufim' crossing, in the Gaza Strip. A rocket was launched near the IDF outpost of 'Kissufim'. A rocket was launched from the 'Netzarim' ruins and was detected hitting in the sea.

Weekend January 22nd-23rd January 17th-21st Major Events – Gaza Strip January 17th – 5 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip. 2 rockets were detected landing in the sea while one of the three other rockets, launched near the 'Kissufim' crossing, landed by the ‘Kissufim’ crossing. January 18th – A mortal shell was launched near the ‘Kissufim’ crossing. January 20th – A rocket was launched by the 'Kissufim' crossing. January 22nd – A Palestinian was identified crossing the technical fence near the ‘Karni’ crossing. The Palestinian was arrested and shortly released back to the Gaza Strip. January 23rd – 6 Palestinian suspects and a horse were shot by IDF solders while approaching the technical fence near the ‘Erez’ crossing. No injuries were reported.

January 24th-31st Major Events – Gaza Strip January 24th– A rocket was launched and landed near the 'Kissufim' crossing. January 27th – A rocket was launched near the 'Rafah' crossing and was detected hitting in the sea. January 30th – Two explosions at sea were reported. These were later found to be barrels of explosives which had been deployed by terrorists. The Popular Resistance Committees claimed responsibility. In the next few days, three more such barrels would be found on Israeli beaches. 2 mortar shell's duds were found by Israeli travelers near Kibbutz 'Nir Am'.

Other Arenas January 12th – A 7.3 Mw earthquake struck Haiti. Over 175,000 casualties reported. Joining the international effort, the State of Israel deployed an aid delegation, consisting of a field hospital and Search and Rescue mission, saving at least three people and treating over 1000 in the hospital. January 14th - A roadside explosive device was detonated near an Israeli diplomatic convoy in Jordan, near the 'King Hussein' border crossing. The passengers were initially taken to a nearby Jordanian Army Base and were later escorted by Jordanian Army Forces back to Israel through the 'King Hussein' border crossing. No members of the Israeli convoy were injured in the attack.

Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip Monthly 6 January 2010: 6 Rockets 7 Mortar Shell Yearly Aug 09 – Jan 2010 41 Launchings in January

SUMGGLING ATTEMPTS AT THE CROSSINGS (ARCHIVE) Humanitarian Support – Gaza Strip Erez Crossing January 1-31, 2010 Trucks: 1841 Supplies (tons): 40,009 Medical Evacuations: 1453 Fuel (liters): 6.9 million Nahal Oz Crossing Karni Crossing Kissufim Crossing Sufa Crossing MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN ‘EREZ’ CROSSING

Newly Appointed Chief Military Rabbi Around the IDF Lt. Col. Rabbi Rafi Peretz will be appointed Chief military Rabbi in a few months and promoted to the rank of BG when BG Avichai Rontzki retires from the IDF. The appointment of the Chief Military Rabbi was made after consulting with Israel’s Chief Rabbis and was approved by Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak. Rabbi Peretz serves in the IDF as a reserve helicopter pilot. LT. COL. RABBI RAFI PERETZ

The First Emergency Response Conference in Israel Around the IDF January 10th– The first international conference for emergency preparedness and response took place at the Hilton hotel in Tel Aviv. The conference included presentations on handling emergency scenarios and exercises of an extensive biological exercise in the Gush Dan region of Israel. The conference was a joint initiative of the IDF Home Front Command and the Israeli Ministry of Health and was recognized by the World Health Organization, who sponsored the event. A SUICIDE ATTACK REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Around the IDF January 18th– Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met with the outgoing commander of the UNIFIL forces, Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano. He wished the Maj. Gen. Graziano luck and thanked him for his contribution. Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta Cuevas is the newly appointed commander of the UNIFIL forces. LT. GEN. ASHKENAZI AT THE NATO MILITARY CHIEFS OF DEFENSE CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS January 26th– Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi attended the NATO Military Chiefs of Defense Conference in Brussels. There, he discussed the short and long term challenges facing Israel, regional threats, and the need for IDF and NATO military cooperation against the global terrorist threat.

Deputy Commander of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Visits Israel Around the IDF January 30th– Lt. Gen. John D. Gardner, Deputy Commander of the United States European Command (EUCOM), arrived in Israel as a guest of the IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, in order to discuss strategic matters. The trip included a visit to the IDF Northern Command and the Holocaust Memorial Museum. LT. GEN. JOHN D. GARDNER DEPUTY COMMANDER OF EUCOM

Bedouins in the IDF Around the IDF The nine Bedouin soldiers who enlisted this past month to the Golani brigade are a part of a massive increase in Bedouin enlistment these past couple of years. The Bedouin soldiers take part in all units, specifically scouting. The IDF promotes Bedouin enlistment to aid integration in Israeli society. As such, the IDF provides career counseling advice for Bedouins as their release date nears. STAFF SERGEANT NASSAR IADAT IN RESERVES THE FIRST BEDOUIN COMMANDER

Gaza Strip Terrorist Activity Report