IDF In Pictures [See IDF soldiers finding weapon tunnels; Hamas arms dump eliminated]**MUST SEE

Israel Defense Forces ^ | October 10, 2003 | IDF Spokesperson's Unit

[yonif]

IDF In Pictures

October 10, 2003

As part of IDF activity in the city of Rafah to uncover weapon smuggling tunnels, IDF forces exposed two tunnels used for weapons smuggling - which were dug under buildings in the area.

Photos: Yonatan Na'aman, IDF Spokesperson's Unit

IDF In Pictures

October 11, 2003

As part of ongoing activity in Rafah (initiated October 9, 2003), IDF forces uncovered three weapon smuggling tunnels dug under buildings in the areaa.

Photos: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

IDF In Pictures

September 8, 2003

Israel Air Force attack helicopters targeted a Hamas arms depot in the Gaza Strip east of Khan Yhounis.

Following the strike, numerous explosions were heard, illustrating the vast quantities of explosives stored at the site.

Photos: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Before

Helicopter's Bombs

Explosion of the weapons at the site

The street after the explosions

[yonif]

For a complete report (including more Pics) of these weapon smuggling tunnels coming from Egypt see this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1000624/posts

IDF is currently, as of now, continuing its operations in the area.

Also, just a few days ago, Egypt denied these tunnels even existed.

[yonif]

[Support Free Republic]

---

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
	Keep Our Republic Free Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER and say THANKS to Jim Robinson! IT'S IN THE BREAKING NEWS SIDEBAR THANKS!

[Calpernia]

Has anyone wondered if any of the mosques here in the states have tunnels?

[yonif]

Some more pics of this months IDF armor division doing some training on the Yom Kippur War 1973 Anniversary

This is the "Gaash" Brigade.

[Dialup Llama]

>Has anyone wondered if any of the mosques here in the states have tunnels?

One need not wonder about mosques in Iraq.

[2banana]

Has anyone wondered if any of the mosques here in the states have tunnels?

A tunnel to where? It is not like they are 100 meters from a border of an arab state.

[Calpernia]

Don't need to go to a border; but how about to store supplies? Or tunnel to other facilities/buildings? I don't know. Hide outs? Stock piling? Just seems every place the troops have been, they have found tunnels or underground prisons, underground routes connecting to other places.

[Optimist]

Yassir? Are you in there?
Come out, come out wherever you are.
We have candy.

[Taiwan Bocks]

OMG, you are so intolerant! /sarcasm

[adaven]

What a scary job!

Cheech says to Chong: "Hey man, how'd we get in an IDF tank, man?"

[Ooh-Ah]

October 10, 2003

Background Material: Rafah Weapon Smuggling Tunnels

Click here to view a historical background of the Rafah smuggling tunnels

Weapons Smuggled Into The Gaza Strip Since January 2003

Since January 2003, large amounts of diverse weapons have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip, including:

• Dozens of RPG rockets and lauchers
• Hundreds of kilograms of explosives
• Hundreds of rifles (mainly AK-47 Kalashnikovs)
• Tens of thousands of bullets and other ammunition
• Thousands of cartridges
• Note: Efforts are being made to smuggle in more advanced kinds of weapons.

General Background

The Oslo Accords, signed in 1994-1995, granted the Palestinian Authority control over most of the Gaza Strip. The agreements specify that the IDF will continue to control a narrow strip between the area under Palestinian control and the border with Egypt, called the "Philadelphi Route." On both sides of the route are the towns of Palestinian Rafah and Egyptian Rafah.

During the ensuing years, the area has been used for smuggling, and rapidly became the main pipeline for transporting weapons and ammunition into the Gaza Strip. The smuggled weapons are then transferred to the rest of the Gaza Strip, comprising the majority of the weaponry in the Gaza Strip, which is then used for carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Currently, the area is used for smuggling weapons, drugs, goods and lately, human beings.

The City of Rafah

The smuggling business began in Rafah during the 1980's, due to the city's economic condition and geographic location. The smuggling is carried out mainly through tunnels dug under the border - while in the past smuggling took place overland as well.

Parallel to the smuggling industry in the area, the extremist Islamic infrastructure also developed, which increased the involvement of the residents in terrorist and smuggling activity.

The economic element comprises an important factor in channeling local residents and families into the weapons and ammunition smuggling industry. During this period, a large-scale smuggling industry developed in Rafah.

This industry comprises a primary source of income for entire families, and is the main source of income in the area. Due to the lucrative economic aspects of this industry, a power struggle has been raging between different clans and tribes over control of the smuggling.

The Process of Constructing Tunnels

The method of tunnel construction is complex and has evolved numerous times throughout the years. Currently, the construction of tunnels is overseen by Palestinian residents of Rafah who have specialized in this area over the years.

The smugglers in Rafah are now experts in digging tunnels and smuggling weapons. The smugglers participate in this activity in all its aspects.

The smugglers transport weapons for terrorist organizations, or for other elements who order firearms in exchange for money, and transfer money to Palestinians and Egyptians who own the house or land while the tunnel is dug.

These people are adapt at how to avoid detection of the tunnels, thus they build them in residential areas and use small children to construct the tunnels and smuggle the weapons.



Steps for Building a Weapon Smuggling Tunnel

1) Locate a landowner who agrees to provide his house for the exit of a tunnel.

2) Search for a suitable opening for the tunnel on the Egyptian side. The tunnel opening should be located in a house or within private property, to: allow the owner of the house to cross from one side to the other; to keep in accordance with agreements reached with Egyptian officials; for economic reasons, and to prevent discovery of the tunnel by Egyptian officials.

3) Choosing an engineer: An engineer who specializes in the excavations of tunnels is chosen. The engineer mobilizes and recruits individuals to construct the tunnel, and provides electric and hand-held tools for the job.





4) Duration of the excavation: The duration of the excavation may last anywhere from two weeks to two months based on the following conditions:

• The number of workers digging
• Excavation equipment
• Depth and length of the tunnel
• Width of the tunnel

Instructions for Exacavating the Tunnel:





1. Secrecy: Ensure that the building area of the tunnel construction remains secret. Do not allow members of any other family or clan to discover the tunnel.

2. Work at night: To guarantee that the tunnel is not discovered, and to conceal excavation activity from the IDF.

3. Transporting tunnel material: Transport the sand (from the excavation activity) away from the site in a vehicle.

Smuggling Methods:

1. Egyptian smugglers leave the merchandise at the entrance to the tunnel and depart.

2. Palestinian smugglers cross to the Egyptian side of the tunnel, and transport weapons and other merchandise to the Palestinian side.

3. Subsequent to the use of the tunnel, the subterranean passage is concealed to prevent discovery.

Part II: Activity Carried Out by Terrorist Organizations and Their Relationship with the Palestinian Authority

The Hamas

1. The Hamas terrorist organization utilizes the Rafah area to arm its members throughout the Gaza Strip. This effort is aided by senior Hamas members and terrorist organizations in various countries - who transport weapons throughout the Gaza Strip via the Rafah tunnels.

2. Hostile terrorist activity against IDF forces in the area.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

1. During the current armed conflict, the PFLP has smuggled weapons and explosives to the Gaza Strip.

2. This effort is aided by Iranian official, as part of Iranian efforts to to bolster the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. As part of the above-mentioned effort, Iranian officials have smuggled weapons to the PFLP, and maintain close contact with supporters based in Egypt.

The Involvement of the Palestinian Authority in the Current Armed Conflict

1. The Palestinian Authority has aided in the above-mentioned terrorist activity since the beginning of the current armed conflict.

2. For example, the Palestinian Authority has encouraged residents to conceal tunnels in their residences, which results in the demolition of their houses.

3. Today, however, the demolition of a house in which a tunnel has been uncovered, brings with it an ample windfall, as well as the construction of a new house - built of concrete in the neighborhood of Tel-Sultan by the Palestinian Authority.

As a result, residents have even begun to construct fictious tunnels, and spread rumors about tunnels located under their houses in order to receive compensation from the Palestinian Authority after their home is demolished. Thus, the Palestinian Authority encourages the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.

4. During the entire cease-fire period, the Palestinian Authority failed to deal with the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip, as it should have. This smuggling, during the cease-fire, served to arm the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and strengthen the terrorist infrastructure in the area.

Palestinian Authority Activity to Re-Arm

During the current armed conflict, the Palestinian Authority itself, through the "Re-armament Network," has been active in smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip via tunnels.

Part III: IDF Activity

During the past year and a half, IDF forces have acted forcefully to prevent smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip.

The Wall

In order to create a continuous cover of observation and fire, and as well as a physical blockade, a wall was errected. As part of the wall, the Termit and Hardon outposts were established.





Targeted Activity to Uncover and Demolish Tunnels

During 2003, the IDF has uncovered and demolished 36 tunnels (specified later on) as well as a large number of houses and buildings from where the tunnels emerged.

Summary

Parallel to the process whereby the demolition of houses in which smuggling tunnels have been uncovered, provides financial compensation, there are those Palestinians who reject the digging of the tunnels both from houses they own or from neighboring houses.

[Salem]

Thanks, Yoni. These are great threads!

A Jewish soldier in a tank. Boy, I bet that always PO's all the Jew haters in the UN, EU, and the greater Muslim world. Haaaa, haaa, haa!!


If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~

[Taiwan Bocks]

A tunnel to where?

A tunnel not to where, but for what?

A secret tunnel for meeting, warehousing, hiding, training, mixing, manufacturing.

America is hitting the snooze button on the alarm,
('not yet, I'm still having fun,') that has been going off since Islamists declared war on America.
The muslims say all we'll care about is shopping and sports and sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

Government's treasonous plan/solution is
to continue to allow Arabs to pour into America until the situation is untenable.
Then they will take all our rights away, not just the enemy's.

When the "enemy" is finally identified, FReeRepublic will be included as an enemy, along with all fundamentalist faiths, according to Patriot Act II.

[Libertina]

Let us pray all your words do not come true.

[Slings and Arrows]

Those tunnels give me claustrophobia just looking at them! Kudos to the IDF!

[Marauder]

Let us pray all your words do not come true.

We should probably do more than pray: God helps them that help themselves.

[Libertina]

Fine with me, I am action inclined :)

[Calpernia]

Ping. Not Tikrit; but good underground info thread.

[Calpernia]

>>>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/09/iraq/main548442.shtml

Saddam has also studded the town (Tikrit) with some of his largest and most elaborate presidential compounds. If he went into hiding there, regime watchers say he could easily vanish into the labyrinth of underground tunnels believed to link those sites to the eastern banks of the Tigris River.