UJC Summary 1/15/09

Operation Cast Lead: Latest Developments     A Summary from UJC   1/15/09

 

• An IAF aircraft hit targets in Gaza City on Thursday and ground troops advanced into a residential area on the city's outskirts.
• Palestinians reported that an IDF tank shell struck one of the wings of the Al-Quds hospital in Gaza midday on Thursday. Witnesses said part of the structure was on fire. The IDF said that the building was also being used by Hamas gunmen who were firing on IDF troops.

• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said its compound was hit twice by fire and three staff members were wounded. The IDF maintained that gunshots and an anti-tank missile were fired at IDF troops near the UN compound, to which Israeli soldiers returned fire.
• Another explosion blasted a tower block that houses the offices of Reuters and several other media organizations.IDF officials said Hamas operatives had barricaded themselves inside the press office in Gaza, and were using people there as human shields. According to officials, there were 23 people inside.
• In total, IAF aircraft struck some 35 targets in the Strip throughout the morning, including armed cells and rocket launch positions.
• IAF planes attacked five armed Palestinians in Gaza overnight Wednesday, who turned out to be the personal bodyguards of senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar. The five men were allegedly guarding Zahar's house in southern Gaza City and were all killed, according to reports.
• IDF forces operating in Gaza hit approximately 35 armed gunmen during the night, mostly in aerial attacks directed by ground forces.

 

The IAF attacked approximately 70 terrorist sites, including:

·        A mosque in Rafah used to stockpile rockets that served as an assembly area for senior operatives involved in launching rockets.

·        14 cells of armed gunmen.

·        14 sites used to launch rockets and mortars at Israeli communities and cities.

·        Five weapon storage facilities located in houses of Hamas operatives.

·        One tunnel located under the house of a Hamas operative.

• 11 IDF soldiers were lightly wounded during Wednesday night’s operations.
• Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met Thursday with Red Cross President Jacob Kellenberger and demanded he urge his people in the region to visit kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

 

The Home Front

·        Over 20 rockets landing in Israel's southern region on Thursday. There were no reports of injuries. Seven Kassams landed in the Eshkol Regional Council, and five more hit open areas in the Sderot area. One rocket landed in the front yard of a home in the southern city, damaging the building and several vehicles. A number of people were treated for shock. Another rocket landed near an educational institute.

·        Another rocket landed in Gderot Regional Council limits and was followed by yet another shooting at Eshkol. No injuries or damage were reported.

·        Thursday afternoon saw a rocket fired at Ofakim. The projectile landed in an open area, causing no harm.

·        On Wednesday, at least 15 rockets were fired at Israel.