Briefing details from last weeks intercept of PLO smugglers and Rockets!!! Feb. 6, 2002
Main Points of the Briefing Today By Commander of the West Bank Division, Brig. Gen.During routine activity in a surprise road block in the south-eastern exit road of Nablus an IDF reservist force stopped a seemingly innocent truck. Inside the truck the IDF force discovered 8 Kasam missile launchers on their way form Nablus to Jenin. Lately we bare witness to increasing attempts by the Hamas and other terrorist organizations, probably supported by the Palestinian Authority, to transfer Kasam Launchers to border cities in order to hit Israeli cities.The Idea behind the manufacture of these weapons is not defense nor law enforcement, but the inflict harm on Israeli civilians. The IDF reserve force activity is a laborious activity intended for defense. The launchers were not intended to threat Israeli settlements in the West Bank but towns located deep in Israeli territory. It is important to iterate, in the backdrop of the question regarding serving in the Palestinian Territories, that we are engaged in a just battle with the purpose of protecting citizens from unrestrained aggression. The Palestinian Authority is not holding up its end in neutralizing terrorist organizations and is not taking real steps to prevent the violence on the ground. All the talk of a decrease in escalation are false. On the ground there are increasing attempts to carry out shooting and bomb attacks intended to pose threat against Israeli cities behind the 1967 borderline and in Jerusalem.  This is another example in addition to Karin-A proving that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to prevent murderous acts. I would like to emphasize the important work of IDF soldiers, reserve or regular, and of the Samaryia regiment, that in a swift operation prevented harm from being inflicted on Israelis and carried out its mission. Q: What was the destination and are there any detainees? A: The truck was headed for Genin. A Palestinian civilian drove it. We do not know if he was involved. He is currently investigated and the details are being checked. Q: Any details on the weapons? A: The missiles were manufactured in civilian lathes in Nablus. It is locally manufactured with a diameter of 120mm that could presumably reach as far as 10-12 Km Q: Was there early warning? A: The operation was routine. The reserve unit operated in the district three weeks now and was out carrying out a surprise road check in which the truck was caught. In the initial examinations launchers and fuses were found concealed and highly prepared to reach their target. Q: Where does this leave us now? A: This is the first time we seized this weapon in routine activity. This undoubtedly requires thought. In the resent month and a half we are occupied with finding solutions and I hope that when the threat arrives, we will be appropriately prepared. Q: What is the damage the Kasam missiles are capable of inflicting? A: I assume that if one falls in a residence area we may have a high casualty event. The driver was seized, given drinking water, and transferred for questioning. At the moment, the level of his involvement is being examined. He may be innocent. He may not have check his cargo. Regardless these details are currently being examined. He received fare treatment.  Q: What was it concealed in? A: In a civilian merchandise rapping. Q: Have protocol changed with regards to trucks? A: We are examining thousands of vehicles at the passages spread throughout the West Bank, and we are continuously operating in order to lower the possibility of terrorist penetration and of terror acts against Israeli civilians, to a minimum. |
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