Passover: Paratroopers allow Israelis to visit northern Israel
Soldiers in the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade Battalion 202 perform nightly operations and tours in order to ensure the safety of those living in or visiting Israel’s northern areas.
The battalion is currently operating in the area near Lebanon’s eastern border with Israel.
As they work, the soldiers continuously practice dealing with the various possible threats, while ensuring that they remain fit and alert.
Battalion 202 Commander Yehonatan Shlezinger said, “Even during the holidays, we concentrate on ensuring the security of civilians and quiet on the border with Lebanon. The soldiers in battalion 202 invest much effort in allowing you to hike in peace through the blossoming north.”
“I believe in my soldiers, and I am proud of them for their loyal work. I wish all IDF soldiers and their families a safe and happy holiday.”
(israelnn.com)
Huge Israeli flag spread over President’s Residence
The IDF’s satellite unit, along with rappelling experts and textile manufacturers, on Wednesday (4th), hung a huge Israeli flag on the roof of the Israeli president’s residence in Jerusalem.
The flag was deployed on a surface area of 4,920 square feet and weighs 595 pounds. It was manufactured in a special printing press in a factory and took ten days of sewing and stitching. It was raised to the roof of the building to a height of 32 feet, with cranes.
The flag which will be spread on the roof until Jerusalem Day and during the historic flight show, will serve as a salute to all of Israel’s security forces in the 70th year of the state.
(israelnn.com)
Special video, “One Voice”- A Gift to Israel
Recently, 15 choirs from Austria, England, Canada, Italy, Ukraine, U.S.A., Australia, France, Russia, South Africa and Israel got together to sing “Oseh Shalom,” in a video – a gift to Israel in honor of the State’s 70th Birthday.
(rmchoir.org)
Trump, Netanyahu discuss Israeli security in phone call
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone Tuesday (3rd), discussing the American commitment to Israel’s security among other issues. The two leaders, according to a press readout, also spoke about their “close coordination on countering Iran’s malign influence and destabilizing activities.”
(jpost.com)
Israel thwarts planned terror attack on naval ship
The Shin Bet security services announced Wednesday (4th) that 10 Islamic Jihad terrorists from Gaza were arrested last month as they were preparing an attack on an Israeli naval ship.
One of the suspects, identified as 24-year-fisherman Amin Jamaa, from Rafah, was indicted Wednesday on suspicion that he was gathering intelligence for the planned strike on a navy vessel.
The intricate plot would have involved several boats, with one vessel distracting the navy patrol. Another boat would then fire a Kornet missile at the navy ship and a third boat would move to abduct soldiers.
A break in the case came on March 12, when an Israeli naval vessel stopped a Palestinian fishing boat outside its permitted fishing zone and arrested those on board.
(worldisraelnews.com; israelhayom.com)
Hamas leadership mired because of in-fighting as Gaza-Israel tension mounts
Senior Palestinian sources in the Gaza Strip and Ramallah said Tuesday (3rd) that Hamas is plagued with in-fighting, which in turn could affect its decision-making process and policies, especially with respect to its conflict with Israel.
According to senior Hamas officials, the bickering within the group began several months ago, with the resignation of Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hamad, who oversaw the security and intelligence apparatuses in Gaza.
Hamad was expected to replace Ismail Haniyeh when he retired, but Yahya Sinwar was named in his place.
Sinwar spared no time in ousting Hamad from his power, prompting him to leave and announce plans to found a rival organization, which is yet unnamed.
(israelhayom.com)
Hamas issues “security recommendations” for Gaza clashes – Khaled Abu Toameh
Hamas on Tuesday (3rd) published “security recommendations” on how to avoid being targeted by Israeli army snipers along the Gaza border. They advised Hamas members to conceal their identity by wearing masks, camouflaging their face, and covering their entire head with a keffiyeh. They were also advised not to carry cell phones and not to wear white clothes or clothes with standout colors.
Israel’s Hadashot TV news reported Tuesday (3rd) that Gazans were piling up thousands of tires to burn on Friday (6th) to create black smoke to hinder IDF snipers. Marchers for this Friday were also told to carry mirrors to blind snipers from firing.
(timesofisrael.com)
Israeli websites hacked: ‘Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine’
Hackers gained access to Israeli websites on Tuesday evening (3rd), including the site of the Israel Teachers’ Union.
The websites’ home page was replaced with a photo taken during the clashes on the Gaza border Friday (3/30), along with the text “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine” in English and the sounds of a muezzin.
Other sites hacked included a number of municipality websites, the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s website and the Israeli Opera website.
(ynetnews.com)
Israel’s NGO ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ receives UN award
Israel’s ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ last week received the 2018 United Nations Population Award for outstanding achievements in health. Established in 1996, ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel has provided life-saving cardiac surgery for 4,400 children from 55 developing countries.
(unfpa.org)
Russian Jew beaten to death in St. Petersburg
Police are investigating the motives behind the brutal murder on Monday (2nd) of 27-year-old Mikhail Verevskoy, who was on his way home from the supermarket when set upon by his attacker, Ahmed Kharsha, 36, and viciously killed. Kharsha was arrested as a suspect and released on bail in what police believe was a premeditated anti-Semitic murder.
Russian media reported the attack on Tuesday (3rd) saying that Verevskoy had immigrated to Israel and served in the army there. He had dual citizenship in both countries. His wife was due to give birth within days of his murder and was in labor when he was killed.
(ynetnews.com; jta.org)
