News Digest — 4/6/23
7 Rockets Fired from Gaza In Fresh Salvo, Explode In Air
Seven surface-to-air rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip and exploded in the air overnight Thursday (6th), the IDF said, setting off alarms in Israeli border communities.
Five of the rockets were launched toward Israeli airspace and two toward the ocean. Air defenses were not activated.
Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have previously fired anti-aircraft rockets several times and it is unclear whether the rockets were intended for aircraft or to stir panic in Israel and disrupt life in border communities.
Last Monday (3rd), surface-to-air missiles were launched at Israeli Air force fighters over Gaza as they intercepted a Gazan drone. Footage of the incident published by Hamas shows an Israeli fighter jet firing shots.
The fresh salvo was launched amid clashes on the Temple Mount between security forces and Palestinian rioters who attempted to barricade themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque Wednesday night (5th).
Two rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave, but air raid sirens were not triggered. One rocket fell short and crashed in the Gaza Strip, while the other exploded in an open area near the border fence. There were no injuries or damages reported.
Rocket fire followed a tense day that began with riots breaking out in the Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight on Tuesday (4th) More than 350 rioters were arrested after barricading themselves inside the mosque.
During that night and morning after, more than 10 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. The majority of the rockets were either intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system or fell in open areas.
A 30-year-old Israeli was injured on his way to a bomb shelter. One rocket hit a food plant in Sderot but did not cause any injuries.
The rockets were launched in two separate barrages, with the IDF responding to each one by attacking targets in the Gaza Strip
Israelis Near Gaza Celebrate Passover Amid Security Tensions
After a tense night, the residents of Sderot and the area surrounding Gaza celebrated Seder night, Wednesday (5th), in the shadow of high tensions with the fear that rockets from Gaza would continue.
Some of the residents were forced to cancel their plans for the holiday, Albert Gabai from Sderot told Walla.
“Some of the families who wanted to celebrate in the city didn’t come because of the situation – they’re scared,” he said. “We must respond strongly and extremely. We need to do something. We cannot go on like that.”
Maayan Fuld Sni’or, a resident of Netiv Haasara, told Walla that her family also canceled their plans because of the security situation.
“There is great tension in the area,” she said. “A lot of the families invited guests, and some of them wouldn’t come. We had a difficult night, the children slept in the bomb shelter. We didn’t pray for this kind of Passover. We hope the holiday will pass quietly and peacefully.”
Another Sderot resident named Esther told Walla about the tense night for her.
“We didn’t sleep all night,” she said. “There was a heavy volley – we ran to the bomb shelter. Even though we are used to the situation, everytime it makes our hearts drop all over again. The situation can not go on like this. Every time the trauma comes back. We’ve had enough.”
Over Tuesday night (4th), 10 rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel. No one was hurt, but one hit a factory in Sderot. The rockets were launched in three different volleys.
Initially, at around 3:30 a.m. five rockets were launched from the Strip, four of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Shortly after that, another four rockets were launched and they fell into open space. In the morning, another rocket was launched and it also fell into open space.
In response to the rockets, the IDF attacked twice in the Gaza Strip.
(jpost.com; walla.co.il)
People of Israel Will Make It Through The Judicial Crisis – Meir Ben Shabbat
→ The people of Israel are a nation captive to its history. Everything we believe we are making new has, in fact, already happened throughout our nation’s existence.
→ Our history books describe bitter wars between tribes and kingdoms, Pharisees and Sadducees, Karaites and Rabbis, Hasidim and Misnagim, and the Zealots and moderate leaders. The scars of these fights are borne by our nation’s body and have harmed its soul.
→ And after all this – the People of Israel live. One of our most prominent startups is using conflict as a lever for society’s advancement. Thanks to the characteristics instilled in us from the dawn of our existence as a nation and throughout history, we knew how to use conflict to unite us.
→ Passover seats us all together at the table, returns us to our past, and obligates us to remember and recount our journey so far. No less important is that Passover renews our optimism and hope.
→ We made it past Pharaoh. We made it through crises, conflicts, and separations. We will make it through this too.
The writer served as Israel’s national security advisor and head of the National Security Council between 2017 and 2021. He is head of the Institute for Zionist Strategy and National Security in Jerusalem.
Weapons From Israel Are Entering The European Market
The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands is seeking reactive artillery to provide fire support at short, medium and long distances. It reported that “compared to the American HIMARS system, the Israeli PULS artillery system can carry more missiles. It is also possible to buy more missiles on our budget and they will be available earlier. In addition, in the future, PULS will be suitable for ammunition from European manufacturers.”
“The Israeli system can carry 16 high-precision Hawk missiles with a range of up to 22 miles and up to two Predator Hawk missiles with a range of up to 190 miles. “This year, the army will get access to the Israeli PULS system. As a result the Netherlands Ministry of Defense will have its own rocket artillery for the first time in many years.”
Denmark previously concluded a contract for the purchase of this system. Germany plans to create a new European next-generation missile system called Euro-PULS, based on the Israeli PULS system.
Finland Announces Decision To Buy David’s Sling System From Israel
Finland’s Ministry of Defense announced late Wednesday (5th) that it will purchase the David’s Sling air missile defense system from Israel. The announcement came a day after Finland was accepted into NATO.
The newest member of NATO announced plans to buy the defense system at a cost of 316 million euros, with plans to possibly expand.
In a statement released by Finnish officials, plans to purchase the system will require joint efforts between the nations.
“The procurement contract will include a separate clause between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Finland to ensure the security of supply of the system. The arrangement will ensure the availability of critical system components in all security situations,” the statement said.
“The David’s Sling system will extend the operational range of Finland’s ground-based air defense capabilities significantly.”
This decision was one of Finland’s first moves after officially being accepted into the NATO alliance. The nation saw Israel’s defense system as a crucial need to meet Finland’s defense needs.
“This acquisition will create a new capability for the Finnish Defense Forces to intercept targets at high altitude. At the same time we are continuing the ambitious and long-term development of Finland’s defense capability in a new security environment,” said Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen.
The David’s Sling system is pricier among Israeli missile defense forces. Each interceptor launched by Israel’s David’s Sling system costs an estimated $1 million, but the army insists that the cost is irrelevant when launched to defend the home front.
Israel’s air defenses also include the Iron Dome, which is designed to shoot down short-range rockets; and the Arrow system which intercepts ballistic missiles outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Compared to the David’s Sling costly interceptor, each Iron Dome Tamir interceptor has a reported price of between $100,000 and $150,000.
Why Israel Has Been Stepping Up Strikes On Iran Military Targets In Syria – Bassel Oudat
In the past three years, Israel has targeted Iranian soldiers, depots, planes and military advisors across Syria as Iran’s presence and influence have expanded across the country. The threat to Israel from Iranian forces in Syria is growing and is no longer limited to border areas. The intensity and frequency of the Israeli strikes on Syrian sites in recent weeks have been unprecedented. It indicates an increase in Iranian militia movements and arms shipments in Syria.
“Israel is now trying to compensate for the hiatus following the earthquake” that took place in Syria in February “when it ceased all air strikes against Iranian targets,” said Diaa Qadoor, a Syrian expert on Iranian affairs. “Meanwhile, Iran has taken advantage of the humanitarian disaster to accumulate threatening elements, whether missiles, drones, or at the leadership level.” Israel is now targeting military advisers and not just military targets.
Syrian opposition figure Ahmed Rahhal said that there “has been an increase in the quality and quantity of weapons entering Syria from Iran, and that Iran brought many weapons into the country under the guise of humanitarian aid during the earthquake period. This crosses many Israeli red lines, as Iran has also increased production inside Syria. All the weapons coming on oil ships entering the Port of Banias go to Hezbollah’s warehouses in Syria until they are transported to southern Lebanon.
