The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section - PowerPoint Presentation

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The Strategic Division/Military-Strategic Information Section

March 1

st

–

March 15

th

Defining Trends

The West Bank

Terrorist attacks

continue in the West Bank. On 11 March

five family members, including a four-month-old baby girl, a four-year-old boy, an eight-year-old boy, and the children’s two parents were stabbed to death in the Jewish community of Itamar

.

There were five additional attacks in the period of this report: on two occasions Palestinian vehicles attempted to run over IDF soldiers, a Palestinian attempted to assault a BGP soldier, a Palestinian attempted to assault an Israeli policeman and a Palestinian threw two Molotov cocktails during an arrest.

During the time of this report, Palestinian

riots

, most of which were

violent

,

continued on

a daily basis (over

38

major cases were noted,

including instances

in which

rioters lit tires on fire and threw Molotov cocktails).

Arms, ammunition, and explosive devices

were

confiscated by IDF forces

on

at least

9 occasions. Overall 3 IEDs, 3 Molotov cocktails, 5 pipe bombs, an M16 rifle and matching bullets, shotgun bullets, 3 hunting rifles, 4 handguns (one loaded with 8 bullets), materials intended for the construction of explosive devices, and 4 crates filled with 5.56mm bullets, AK47 bullets, handgun magazines and a large knife were confiscated.

Palestinian Security Force operations in the West Bank continue but their scope and quality must be increased.

When necessary

, the IDF takes actions to prevent terrorist attacks from being carried out.

The Gaza Strip

Defining Trends

Government Policy on allowing goods into the Gaza Strip continues; crossings are now able to absorb over 300 trucks a day.

During the period of 27 February – 3 March,

1,064 trucks transporting

26,898 tons

of supplies were transferred to the Gaza

Strip.

O

n 3

March,

Karni

crossing

was closed indefinitely

due to security

restrictions. Between 3 March – 12 March,

Kerem

Shalom

Crossing was also closed due to a strike on the

Gazan

side of the border.

Suffa

crossing opened for the passage of trucks carrying aggregates and

Erez

crossing remained open for medical transports.

Hamas continues to act aggressively against Israel. In addition to Hamas’ own terrorist activities, the organization allows various terrorist groups to use the territory under its control to plan and carry out attacks and rocket launches.

In the period of this report,

8 rockets

were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory. One IED was also identified and dismantled by IDF forces.

The

IAF

acted in response to the rocket and mortar fire from 1 March – 15 March with a series of pinpoint attacks targeting terrorist tunnels, a Hamas ammunition warehouse and a Hamas manufacturing warehouse.

The Gaza

Strip cont’d

Defining Trends

On 1 March, terrorists fired a shoulder-launched RPG at an IDF tank. The success of the tank’s newly-installed “Trophy” system marked the first time that a tank defense system successfully neutralized such a threat.

In

addition to terrorist attacks, on 15 March the Israel Navy intercepted the merchant vessel “

VICTORIA

” smuggling illegal Iranian arms intended for the use of terrorist groups in Gaza. The shipment included six sophisticated NASR 1 (C704) sea-to-surface missile, making this smuggling attempt particularly significant. Such weapons have the potential to be a danger not only to the Israel and international navies, but to commercial shipping vessels in the region.

Additionally, in

the time period between that of this report and 21 March 2011, Israel suffered a barrage of rocket and mortar fire emanating from the Gaza Strip. From 18 March – 20 March alone,

51 rockets and mortars

were fired at and hit Israeli territory.

Humanitarian Support – Gaza Strip

February 27 – March 3, 2011

Trucks

: 1,064

Supplies

(tons):

26,898

Medical Evacuations

:

388

Fuel

(liters

):

None

Heavy-duty diesel

is now delivered directly from Egypt

Cooking Gas

(tons): 914 Exports: 9 truckloads (cherry tomatoes and flowers)

Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip – Monthly

March 1

st

– March 15th,

2011 : 8 rockets

Annual Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip

January 2010

–

15 March 2011

TotalRockets: 174

Mortars:

167

March 1st- A number of Palestinians threw an empty bottle from a vehicle at several settlers in the vicinity of the

Eli community. The vehicle then left the area.

Two settlers were lightly injured.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle in the vicinity of the Maccabim community.

A Palestinian vehicle attempted to run over several IDF soldiers in the vicinity of the Beitar community. IDF forces initiated the suspect engagement procedure for suspicious vehicles, firing light arms at the approaching vehicle, and the vehicle left the area.

March 2nd- IDF forces and the Israeli police demolished 20 illegal structures built by Palestinians near the Mehura

community.

March 3

rd

- A Palestinian was identified climbing on the technical fence in the vicinity of the

Sha'arei

Tikva

community. An IDF force apprehended the Palestinian.

During an arrest south of the

Yitzhar

community, IDF forces discovered shotgun bullets, an M-16 rifle and matching bullets. The arms were confiscated by IDF forces.

Major Events – West Bank

March 1st – March 3rd

March 3rd cont’d- Several settlers set fire to a Palestinian vehicle south of the

Nacihel community.

Approximately 30 Palestinians rioted and threw stones and Molotov cocktails in the vicinity of the city of Bethlehem. IDF forces dispersed the riot. One 9mm handgun and a hunting rifle were discovered in a Palestinian house south of the Maskiot

community. March 4th- Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones in the vicinity of the

Beit Horon community.

During an arrest southeast of the

Har

Gilo

community, several Palestinians threw two Molotov cocktails at an IDF force. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones in the vicinity of the

Na'alin

,

Nabi

Salah

and Bi'lin communities. IDF forces dispersed the riots.Major Events – West BankMarch 3rd – March 4th

March 5th- One Palestinian crossed the technical fence into Israeli territory in the vicinity of the Ma’ale

Gilboa

community. An IDF force arrested the suspect. Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured in the process and the suspect was sent to investigation. Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF force in the vicinity of the Bracha community. BGP forces dispersed the riot.

Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones in the vicinity of the Nahnieli community. IDF forces dispersed the riots.Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at Israeli civilians in the vicinity of the

Ofra community.Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones in the vicinity of the Beit

Horon

and

Karmei

Zur

communities. IDF and BGP forces dispersed the riot.

Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces in the city of

Hebron

. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Major Events – West BankMarch 5th

March 6th- A Palestinian suspect in possession of a hunting rifle was arrested north of the Sdr

Bar community. The weapon was confiscated by IDF forces.

A number of Palestinians rioted and lit tires on fire in the vicinity of the Anatot community. IDF forces dispersed the riot. A number of Palestinians approached an IDF secure path south of the

Har Gilo community. IDF forces dispersed the crowd.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces at

Kalandya checkpoint. IDF forces dispersed the riot.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF mobilized patrol in the vicinity of Hebron

. Two Palestinian suspects were arrested.

A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF mobilized patrol south of the

Itamar

community. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Major Events – West Bank

March 6

th

March 7th- IDF forces arrested a Palestinian driver in possession of a weapon loaded with eight bullets at an IDF checkpoint south of the city of Nablus

. The Palestinian was sent to investigation.

A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at approximately 25 settlers who were uprooting olive trees IVO the Migdaliam community. In response, the settlers threw stones and fired light arms at the Palestinians. IDF forces dispersed the riot. One settler and ten Palestinians were injured. One settler was arrested.

IDF and BGP forces evacuated three illegal structures built by Israelis at an Israeli settlement in the vicinity of the Nachliel community.An IDF force arrested a Palestinian carrying five pipe bombs and three Molotov cocktails north of the Rechalim

community. March 8th- A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF force in the vicinity of the

Ariel

community. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

March 9

th

-

A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces during an initiated activity south of

Beit

Horon

community. One Palestinians was arrested.

Major Events – West BankMarch 7th – March 9th

March 9th cont’d- A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at BGP forces southwest of the

Nahal Negohot

community. The BGP forces dispersed the riot.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at the security fence in the vicinity of the Anatot community. BGP forces dispersed the riot.

March 10th- An IDF force confiscated two IEDs at an IDF checkpoint in the vicinity of the town of Qalqilyah. The explosives devices were dismantled by an IDF force.

March 11th- Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF and BGP forces in the vicinity of the villages of

Na'lin

,

Bi'lin

and

Nabi

Salah

. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF force in the vicinity of the

El

Aruv

and Um Salmona communities.March 12th- A terrorist infiltrated the Itamar community and stabbed five family members, including a four-month-old baby girl, a four-year-old boy, an eight-year-old boy, and two parents, to death. Three additional settlers suffered from shock.Major Events – West BankMarch 9th – March 12th

March 12th cont’d- A Palestinian attempted to assault a BGP soldier during a mobilized patrol in the city of

Hebron. The Palestinian was sent to investigation.

IDF forces arrested seven Palestinians carrying one handgun and materials intended for the construction of explosive devices west of the Itamar community. The Palestinians were sent to investigation and the weapons were confiscated by the IDF force.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at three Israeli civilian vehicles in the vicinity of the

Givon community. The vehicles sustained damage. A number of Palestinians and settlers threw stones in a violent confrontation in the vicinity of the Yitzhar

community. IDF forces dispersed the crowd.A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle in the vicinity of the Karmei

Tzur

community. IDF forces dispersed the riot. One Palestinian was injured.

Several Palestinians attempted to run over a number of IDF soldiers south of the

Karmei

Tzur

community. The IDF force initiated the suspect engagement procedure in order to deter the Palestinians.

Major Events – West Bank

March 12

th

Major Events – West Bank

March 13

th

March 13th- Israeli settlers gathered at the Beit

Hagai

,

Eli

and

Ofra

communities, the villages of

Beit

Ummar

and

Awarta and several junctions in protest of the 11 March terrorist attack on the Itamar community in which five Israelis were killed. Four settlers were arrested.Two Palestinians crossed the technical fence in the vicinity of the Sha'arei Tikva community. An IDF force arrested the Palestinians.During an initiated activity in the village of Awarta, IDF forces arrested three Palestinians in possession of two crates filled with 5.56mm bullets, 'AK-47' bullets and a handgun magazine. Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces during the activity. IDF forces dispersed the riot and three Palestinians were sent to investigation. The weapons were confiscated by the IDF force.Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at BGP forces in the vicinity of the village of Awarta. IDF forces dispersed the riot.Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces in the village of Awarta. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Major Events – West Bank

March 14

th

– March 15th

March 14

th

- IDF forces apprehended a Palestinian attempting to break through an IDF checkpoint in the vicinity of the

Ma'ale

Efraim

community. The Palestinian was sent to interrogation.

During an initiated activity southwest of the

Itamar

community, IDF forces apprehended four Palestinians carrying two containers filled with 5.56 mm bullets, one handgun magazine, one rifle, an improvised handgun and a large knife. The Palestinians were sent to interrogation and the ammunition was confiscated for the IDF force.

Approximately 50 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at a BGP force northeast of the

Itamar

community. BGP forces dispersed the riot. According to Palestinian claims, several settlers attacked a Palestinian family’s house in the village of Awarta, lightly injured a child and vandalized the family's belongings. Approximately 70 Palestinians rioted southwest of the Itamar community in response to the report. March 15th- A number of Palestinians rioted, threw stones and placed a burning tire near an IDF force during a mobilized patrol south of the Migdal Oz community. Later that day, a number of Palestinians gathered again to riot, throw stones and light tires on fire. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

Major Events – West Bank

March 15

th

March 15th cont’d- A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces northwest of the Ram On

community.

Approximately 15 Palestinians rioted and threw stones in the vicinity of the

Karmei

Zur

community. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

During an IDF mobilized patrol IDF forces arrested a suspicious Palestinian in possession of an IED south of the

Chinanit

community. A police bomb squad dismantled the IED and the suspect was sent to investigation.

A number of Palestinians rioted and placed a burning tire near the technical fence in the vicinity of the

Karmei

Zur community. IDF forces chased one of the rioters into the Beit Umar village. While chasing the suspect, a number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at the IDF forces, which dispersed the riot. One Palestinian was sent to investigation. Two Palestinians attempted to attack an Israeli policeman at an IDF checkpoint in the city of Hebron. Two Palestinians were sent to investigation. Approximately 15 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at the Karmei Tzur community. IDF forces dispersed the riot.

March 1st- An RPG missile was launched at an IDF armored patrol northeast of Suffa

crossing. The missile was intercepted by the “Trophy” anti-missile defense system.

Two Palestinians approached the technical fence in a restricted security zone in the vicinity of Kissufim. IDF forces fired missiles in order to deter them. According to the Palestinian media, the two Palestinians were injured. March 2nd

- IDF forces identified one suspicious Palestinian near the technical fence northwest of Karni crossing. The forces initiated the suspect engagement procedure and fired shots into the air. The forces arrested the suspect and returned him to the Gaza Strip.

A suspicious boat carrying five Palestinians was identified crossing into Israeli territorial waters. A navy patrol vessel initiated the suspect engagement procedure for suspicious vessels and the boat turned around.March 5

th

- One rocket hit in the vicinity of the town of

Sa'ad

.

One rocket hit in the vicinity of the

Nahal

Oz IDF base. The 'Global Jihad' organization claimed responsibility for the attack.

Major Events – Gaza Strip

March 1

st

- March 5

th

March 5th cont’d- IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (‘PIJ‘) organization tunnel intended for terrorism in the city of

Gaza.

IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting a Hamas ammunitions warehouse in the vicinity of the Nuseirat R.C.IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting a

Hamas ammunitions manufacturing facility in the vicinity of the city of Deir Al-Balah.

March 9th- During an initiated activity to secure IDF routes, an explosive device was discovered northeast of Karni crossing. An IDF sapper squad dismantled the device.

March 10

th

- During a mobilized patrol IDF forces identified a rocket launching east of

Kissufim

crossing. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) organization claimed responsibility for the attack.

March 11

th

-

A Palestinian boat was identified crossing into Israeli territorial waters. A navy patrol vessel initiated the suspect engagement procedure for suspicious vessels and the boat turned around.

Major Events – Gaza Strip

March 5

th – March 11th

March 11th cont’d- A rocket was detected hitting northeast of the

Nativ Ha'asara

kibbutz. Smoke was identified in the vicinity of the kibbutz.An IDF force initiated the suspect engagement procedure following the identification of a Palestinian suspect adjacent to the technical fence northwest of Erez crossing. The Palestinian was apprehended, sent to investigation and later released.

Major Events – Gaza Strip

March 11

th

Merchant Vessel “

VICTORIA” Intercepted Smuggling Iranian Arms to Gaza

15 March 2011

On 15 March 2011, with the consent of the captain, IDF navy forces intercepted and searched the merchant ship “VICTORIA” approximately 200 nautical miles west of Israel. The vessel had departed from

Lattakia Port, Syria on 6 March and was en route to Egypt’s Alexandria Port following a stopp in

Beirut

, Lebanon. The vessel was flying the Liberian national flag, was owned by a German national and was operated by the French shipping company CMA CGM.

Onboard, Israel Navy forces discovered 25 tons of illegal Iranian arms intended for the use of terrorist groups in the Gaza strip. The illegal arms included six NASR 1 missiles (The Iranian version of the C704 surface-to-sea missile), 2,000 60mm mortal shells, approximately 200 120mm mortal shells and tens of thousands of 7.62mm bullets.

Following the discovery, the ship was towed to Israeli port of

Ashdod

for further inspection. The vessel and her crew left Israel to continue on to their original destination on 17 March 2011.

Around the IDF