Five Israeli Soldiers Killed in Gaza Blast

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[rang1995]

a change in tactics is needed quick the APC are carring explosives to use on the tunnels etc. They are not as heavyily armoured (and prone to getting destroyed by rpg or these roadside bombs)as Tanks..there are some special merkava tanks that have extra under armour and are used as a APC (they have a compartment for carring men and equipment) should use those, and of course the thing at the front of the tank that's long and hollow (GUN)

[Frank_Discussion]

Apologies to those really of questionable parental lineage:

B*STARDS!!

Screw them all. People around the world b*tch and moan about how the Geneva Convention isn't being used by the West, but they turn right the h*ll around and attack a rescue team?! To the lowest and vilest level of the underworld with them!

[Frank_Discussion]

Yow. They pissed off some Hebrews today, methinks...

[yonif]

Arutz Sheva Radio: Arafat's Palestinian Authority TV stations are congratulating the terrorists on their kills.

[Mossad1967]

“We are taking the Gloves Off”
21:06 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) Channel 1 TV news moments ago quoted an unnamed “very senior military officer” who stated “this is war and we are taking the gloves off. The rules of the game have just changed”.

[adam_az]

"and of course the thing at the front of the tank that's long and hollow"

John Kerry as Inhuman Shield strapped to the front of a Merkava... now there's a visual!

[adam_az]

They may not be dead.

Debka reports: (they have a high degree of accuracy with this type of story)

Five Israeli troops badly injured when three-vehicle patrol strikes bomb trap Jihad Islami claims to have laid along 8-km Philadelphi route marking Gaza-Israel-Egyptian border. First military vehicle hit smaller device lightly injuring 2 soldiers, APC coming to its aid was blown up by exceptionally powerful blast, seriously injuring entire crew and damaging third vehicle.

Like similar vehicle in Gaza City’s Zeitoun Tuesday, APC carried explosives for blowing up Palestinian smuggling tunnels which further magnified blast. Masked men marched through neighboring Yibneh camp of Rafah holding up metal parts of Israel vehicles.

DEBKAfile adds: Jihad Islami is not independent, but directly controlled from Hizballah and Tehran. Wednesday attack is third in series that began with point blank murder of Tali Hatuel and her four children.

Fresh Israeli troops stream into Philadelphi Route sector and Gaza City’s Zeitun district Wednesday night. Second column relieves Givati units which under heavy fire gathered most remains of six fallen comrades killed Tuesday when their APC blew up. Defense minister Mofaz and chief of staff Yaalon visited search scene Wednesday. Fragments are under DNA testing for identification before funerals.

Five Palestinians killed, 9 injured, in clashes with search parties and two Israeli helicopter missile strikes against armed Palestinian groups preparing to attack Israeli troops.

[adam_az]

Might not be dead

Casualty is not necessarily dead.

From the Jpost and Debka reports, they are badly wounded.

According to initial reports there are IDF casualties.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1084332114969

All the wounded have been airlifted to the Soroka hospital in Bersheeba.

[yonif]

Update from Israel Army Radio:

Security officials with the Defense Minister of Israel are meeting right now to decide response to this latest attack by militant Islamic terrorists. In the meantime, IDF forces are still moving into the area.

Radio is not reporting, as adam_az also says, that soldiers were killed, simply saying there are casualties.

IDF reports that the search for the soldiers' body parts from yesterday has been completed and they have been id'ed.

[yonif]

More updates from IsraelNN

IDF Reinforcements Heading to Attack Site
20:38 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) IDF reinforcements, including armored vehicles, aerial support, armor-plated bulldozers and armored vehicles are being deployed in the area of the bomb attack in southern Gaza, along the Philadelphia Route. A bullet-resistant bus is also carrying ground forces to the area.

Ehud Yatom Calling for Major Aerial Offensive
21:00 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) Likud MK Ehud Yatom is calling for a major aerial offensive following another bomb attack against soldiers in Gaza, the second with injuries in 36 hours. Yatom is calling for a widespread response, one that will “teach terrorists such actions do not pay”. He is also calling to “once and for all deal with the stumbling block to peace, Yasser Arafat”

“We are taking the Gloves Off”
21:06 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) Channel 1 TV news moments ago quoted an unnamed “very senior military officer” who stated “this is war and we are taking the gloves off. The rules of the game have just changed”.

Mofaz Consulting with Commanders in the Field
21:09 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is in contact with senior Gaza commanders in the field, perhaps in advance of a major military offensive. Large troop deployments are seen in the area and statements being released by military commanders, pointing to an imminent major military offensive.

Helicopter Gunships Firing at Will
21:12 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) It appears that helicopter gunships over southern Gaza have been given the green light to fire at any armed persons spotted below, not requiring them to request permission to open fire in each case as is the general directive.

Reports from the Rafiah area indicate PA residents can be seen fleeing, fearing an imminent IDF attack.

Gaza Bomb was Over 100kg
22:00 May 12, '04 / 21 Iyar 5764


(IsraelNN.com) Informed sources report the bomb detonated against an armored personnel carrier in southern Gaza earlier tonight contained over 100kg (220 pounds) of explosives.

[yonif]

IDF still looking at incident, could have been a detonated bomb, RPG, or even a vehicle malfunction.

[adam_az]

"IDF reports that the search for the soldiers' body parts from yesterday has been completed and they have been id'ed."

THank goodness, I am happy to hear it.

[adam_az]

"(IsraelNN.com) It appears that helicopter gunships over southern Gaza have been given the green light to fire at any armed persons spotted below, not requiring them to request permission to open fire in each case as is the general directive."

Here's hoping they start strafing and bombing the Hamas parades of hundreds of gunmen.

[SJackson]

Security officials with the Defense Minister of Israel are meeting right now to decide response to this latest attack by militant Islamic terrorists. In the meantime, IDF forces are still moving into the area.

Response? Stay there, kill terrorists. When they realize entering the street with an AK or RPG is a death sentence, it'll be a more peaceful place.

[adam_az]

"(IsraelNN.com) It appears that helicopter gunships over southern Gaza have been given the green light to fire at any armed persons spotted below, not requiring them to request permission to open fire in each case as is the general directive."


Target Rich Environment.

[yonif]

I like this one:

(IsraelNN.com) Channel 1 TV news moments ago quoted an unnamed “very senior military officer” who stated “this is war and we are taking the gloves off. The rules of the game have just changed”.

Also, there is a senior IDF former officer who is talking on IDF radio saying how the IDF is experiencing this stuff because the Israeli gov. is not giving specific directions to the IDF. He says the IDF must be given the green light to defeat the terror, all the terror. Leaving Gaza will make it a Hamas and Jihad terror state. He says Israel must defeat them all and stop trying to find the innocents among the terrorists. He adds that these 2 events of yesterday and today are just a coincidence. Terror has been happening for years now. The IDF must be allowed to defeat the terror.

[richardtavor]

Yoni--I hope this is true...

[Bobby777]

is this two days in a row? aye carumba ...

[montag813]

This is awful news, but it seemed pretty risky for the IDF to make a special incursion for the comparatively trivial task of getting back the remains of the previosuly killed soldiers. Israel seems to have an extreme view on this, with Sharon having made a disgusting deal a few months ago when he released hundreds of terrorists in exchange for the remains of IDF soldiers in Lebanon. If I were a parent of one of the soldiers I know I would be furious at such a deal, as I would also not want soldiers to risk their lives in an attempt to retrieve my son's remains in a very hostile area.

Instead of a desperate search for remains, Israel should announce that, from now on, the body of every suicide bomber or killed gunman would be wrapped in pig entrails and buried in an unmarked grave where no relatives could visit--thus ensuring they would be denied a place in Allah's Pedophile Paradise. I believe we would see a steep decline in terror attacks with such a policy firmly in place.

[yonif]

I agree that the Israeli government should give a directive to the IDF to destroy the terror. Regarding the body parts, they have finished getting them back.

Also, this attack was a separate incident from the fighting currently (and almost over) the IDF is experiencing in Gaza City with terrorists, as this happened on the "Philadelphia" route at the Israel-Egypt border, which is always patrolled by IDF forces.