Difference between revisions of "Use of human shields by terrorists"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
DavidB4-bot (talk | contribs) m (clean up, typos fixed: hadn’t → hadn't, so called → so-called, 2017-2018 → 2017–2018, … → ..., ’s → 's, 2003-2004 → 2003–2004 (3), the the → the) |
|||
| (94 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | The tactic of using human shields is very early, many have used human shields. The ' | + | The tactic of using human shields is very early, many have used human shields. The 'uniqueness' of terrorists is by '''using its own people'''. |
| − | |||
Among documented noted terror entities<ref>Orde Kittrie, 'Time to Act on Human Shields.' FDD, October 15, 2020. https://www.fdd.org/2020/10/15/time-to-act-on-human-shields/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-111635</ref><ref>Orde Kittrie: "Help NATO by Holding Hamas Accountable for Terrorist War Crimes." May 19, 2021. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/help-nato-holding-hamas-accountable-terrorist-war-crimes-185581</ref> using this method: | Among documented noted terror entities<ref>Orde Kittrie, 'Time to Act on Human Shields.' FDD, October 15, 2020. https://www.fdd.org/2020/10/15/time-to-act-on-human-shields/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-111635</ref><ref>Orde Kittrie: "Help NATO by Holding Hamas Accountable for Terrorist War Crimes." May 19, 2021. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/help-nato-holding-hamas-accountable-terrorist-war-crimes-185581</ref> using this method: | ||
| − | * [[Taliban]] In 2007, <ref>[https://www.nysun.com/foreign/taliban-used-children-as-human-shields/63045/ Taliban Used Children as Human Shields] | + | * [[Taliban]] (supported by Pakistan, Qatar and Iran.<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/panjshir-bombed-pakistani-air-force-drones-smart-bombs-reports-1849570-2021-09-06</ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2021/08/29/afghanistan-mess-is-bidens-disaster-and-other-commentary/ The Afghanistan mess is truly Biden’s disaster and other commentary] Post Editorial Board, NYPost, August 29, 2021.</ref>) In 2007,<ref>[https://www.nysun.com/foreign/taliban-used-children-as-human-shields/63045/ Taliban Used Children as Human Shields] Associated Press, September 20, 2007. |
<i> | <i> | ||
| − | KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters carrying machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades used children as human shields during a battle in southern Afghanistan yesterday, forcing American-led coalition soldiers to hold their fire for a time, the coalition said.</i></ref> in 2009, <ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1177516/Taliban-fighters-use-civilians-human-shields-battle-Pakistan-tears-Swat-Valley-apart.html Taliban fighters use civilians as 'human shields' as battle for Pakistan tears Swat Valley apart] Liz Hazelton for MailOnline 10:40 BST 05 May | + | KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters carrying machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades used children as human shields during a battle in southern Afghanistan yesterday, forcing American-led coalition soldiers to hold their fire for a time, the coalition said.</i></ref> in 2009,<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1177516/Taliban-fighters-use-civilians-human-shields-battle-Pakistan-tears-Swat-Valley-apart.html Taliban fighters use civilians as 'human shields' as battle for Pakistan tears Swat Valley apart] Liz Hazelton for MailOnline 10:40 BST 05 May 2009 , updated 11:08 BST 08 May 2009</ref> in 2010,<ref>'Taliban using human shields, says Afghan army general.' The Guardian, Feb 17, 2010. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/taliban-human-shields</ref> in 2015,<ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/msna573361 Afghanistan fights to retake Kunduz from Taliban fighters] Cassandra Vinograd and Fazul Rahim, MSNBC, Sep 29, 2015. |
| − | + | ''"Our main problem is that the enemy is using civilians as shields," he said in a televised address...''</ref> in 2017,<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/mattis-afghanistan/index.html Mattis target of failed Kabul airport rocket attack, Taliban says] Euan McKirdy, Keith Allen and Ryan Browne, CNN, September 27, 2017. | |
| − | + | ''A statement released by the international coalition in Afghanistan, Resolute Support, accused insurgents of "using civilians as shield and cover."''</ref> in 2018,<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46398620 Afghanistan war: US strike in Helmand killed 23 civilians, UN says] BBC News, Nov 30, 2018. | |
| − | + | ''Nato said the Taliban had been using the building that was hit "as a fighting position", and accused the militants of continuously using civi as human shields.''</ref> and in 2019.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49970353.amp Asim Umar: Al-Qaeda's South Asia chief 'killed in Afghanistan'] BBC News, Aug 8, 2019. | |
| − | + | ''Both US and Afghan forces often accuse the Taliban of using civilians as shields.''</ref><ref>Civilians say Taliban use of human shields shows weakness, cruelty.' Dec. 12, 2018. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2018/12/12/feature-02</ref> | |
| − | <ref>Civilians say Taliban use of human shields shows weakness, cruelty.' Dec. 12, 2018. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2018/12/12/feature-02</ref> | + | * [[ISIS]]<ref>Islamic State use of human shields slows final assault on ISIS . ABC News, Mar 4, 2019. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/islamic-state-human-shields-slows-final-assault-isis/story?id=61456501 ''The final assault on the last Islamic State enclave in Syria has slowed down after the discovery that ISIS was using civilians as human shields.''</ref><ref>'ISIS Using Mosul Civilians as Human Shields Amid Offensive.' Time, Mar 30, 2017. |
| − | * [[ISIS]]<ref>Islamic State use of human shields slows final assault on ISIS . ABC News, Mar 4, 2019. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/islamic-state-human-shields-slows-final-assault-isis/story?id=61456501 ''The final assault on the last Islamic State enclave in Syria has slowed down after the discovery | + | https://time.com/4717319/mosul-iraq-offensive-civilians-human-shields/</ref><ref>Suleiman Al-Khalidi, and Nandita Bose, [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/biden-says-isis-leader-quraishi-killed-syria-raid-2022-02-03/ ISIS leader Quraishi kills himself during Syria raid, U.S. says], ''Reuters'', Feb 3, 2022. |
| − | https://time.com/4717319/mosul-iraq-offensive-civilians-human-shields/</ref> | + | <blockquote> |
| − | * [[Al Qaeda]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NOWX8oreP6EC&pg=RA1-PT147&lpg=RA1-PT147 Mark Hollingsworth, | + | As U.S. forces closed in on Quraishi in northwestern Syria overnight, he triggered a blast that also killed members of his own family, including children, according to Biden and U.S. officials.</blockquote></ref> |
| + | |||
| + | * [[Al Qaeda]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NOWX8oreP6EC&pg=RA1-PT147&lpg=RA1-PT147 Mark Hollingsworth, Sandy Mitchell, 'Saudi Babylon: Torture, Corruption and Cover-Up Inside the House of Saud,' Random House, 2010]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=svP1W-wE7VkC&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=human+shields Pakistan Horizon. Volume 63, Issue 1, 2010, p. 104]</ref> | ||
| + | *[[Iran]]'s 'Fatemiyoun' terrorists.<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/01/iran-afghan-children-recruited-fight-syria Iran: Afghan Children Recruited to Fight in Syria] HRW, Oct 1, 2017. | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | Protection Gaps Increase Children’s Vulnerability | ||
| + | (Beirut) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has recruited Afghan immigrant children living in Iran to fight in Syria, Human Rights Watch said today. Afghan children as young as 14 have fought in the Fatemiyoun division, an exclusively Afghan armed group supported by Iran that fights alongside government forces in the Syrian conflict. Under international law, recruiting children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities is a war crime.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/what-is-the-fatemiyoun-brigade-and-why-does-it-make-the-taliban-nervous/ What Is the Fatemiyoun Brigade and Why Does It Make the Taliban Nervous?] Lila Hassan, PBS, July 20, 2021. | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | FRONTLINE documentary "Leaving Afghanistan." Amid the U.S. withdrawal, Taliban leaders claim Iran is mobilizing its proxy militia the Fatemiyoun for civil war within Afghanistan. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Why did the U.S. designate the Fatemiyoun a terrorist organization? | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department designated the Fatemiyoun in Syria a terrorist organization “for providing material support” to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, alongside other groups that assisted Iran in Syria. | ||
| + | |||
| + | “The brutal Iranian regime exploits refugee communities in Iran, deprives them of access to basic services, such as education, and uses them as human shields for the Syrian conflict,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the time of the designation.</blockquote></ref> | ||
| + | |||
*[[Houthis]] (Iranian proxy)<ref>[https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2817251/yemeni-govt-says-houthis-are-using-civilians-human-shields#:~:text=The%20Yemeni%20government%20said%20on,east%20of%20the%20capital%20Sanaa. 'Yemeni Govt Says Houthis Are Using Civilians as Human Shields."?'] Asharq Al Awsat, Feb.10.2021 | *[[Houthis]] (Iranian proxy)<ref>[https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2817251/yemeni-govt-says-houthis-are-using-civilians-human-shields#:~:text=The%20Yemeni%20government%20said%20on,east%20of%20the%20capital%20Sanaa. 'Yemeni Govt Says Houthis Are Using Civilians as Human Shields."?'] Asharq Al Awsat, Feb.10.2021 | ||
| − | </ref><ref> | + | </ref><ref>Michelle Nichols, "[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-exclusive/exclusive-u-n-report-on-yemen-says-houthis-used-human-shields-islamic-state-got-cash-idUSKCN10F28B Exclusive: U.N. report on Yemen says Houthis used human shields, Islamic State got cash]", ''Reuters'', Aug 4, 2016.</ref><ref>MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) Tweeted:<blockquote> |
| − | https:// | + | ICYMI: In BBC Debate, Yemeni Activist Sonia Saleh Accuses Houthis of Using Yemenis as Human Shields; Houthi Official Nasr Al-Din Amer Responds: We Will Use Our Weapons to Strike Saudi Arabia and the Americans.</blockquote>[https://twitter.com/MEMRIReports/status/1513258265932709891 Apr 10, 2022].</ref> |
| − | *[[Hezbollah]]<ref> | + | *[[Hezbollah]]<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060719180552/http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=2926 DEBKAfile Exclusive: Hizballah sub-contracts Palestinian launch squads, uses Christian villages as human shields]. July 19, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060822035411/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7004343191 Canadian Soldier Says UN Position Used As Cover By Hezbollah]. July 26, 2006. Ryan R. Jones. All Headline News Correspondent.</ref><ref>UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON (UNIFIL) . Naqoura, 20 July 2006 |
| − | http://web.archive.org/web/ | ||
| − | Ryan R. Jones. All Headline News Correspondent. | ||
PRESS RELEASE ... Hezbollah firing was also reported from the immediate vicinity of the UN positions in Naqoura and Maroun Al Ras areas at the time of the incidents. | PRESS RELEASE ... Hezbollah firing was also reported from the immediate vicinity of the UN positions in Naqoura and Maroun Al Ras areas at the time of the incidents. | ||
| − | [http://web.archive.org/web/20061203030252/http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr04.pdf]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/13/world/middleeast/israel-says-hezbollah-positions-put-lebanese-at-risk.html Israel Says Hezbollah Positions Put Lebanese at Risk], | + | [http://web.archive.org/web/20061203030252/http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unifil/pr04.pdf]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/13/world/middleeast/israel-says-hezbollah-positions-put-lebanese-at-risk.html Israel Says Hezbollah Positions Put Lebanese at Risk], Isabel Kershner, The New York Times, |
May 12, 2015. | May 12, 2015. | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
TEL AVIV — Viewed from the air, Muhaybib looks like a typical southern Lebanese village — a cluster of about 90 houses and buildings punctuated by the minaret of a mosque and surrounded by fields. | TEL AVIV — Viewed from the air, Muhaybib looks like a typical southern Lebanese village — a cluster of about 90 houses and buildings punctuated by the minaret of a mosque and surrounded by fields. | ||
| − | But when the Israeli military trains its lens on that hilltop Shiite village close to the border, it sees nine arms depots, five rocket-launching sites, four infantry positions, signs of three underground tunnels, three antitank positions and, in the very center of the village, | + | But when the Israeli military trains its lens on that hilltop Shiite village close to the border, it sees nine arms depots, five rocket-launching sites, four infantry positions, signs of three underground tunnels, three antitank positions and, in the very center of the village, a Hezbollah command post. |
| − | + | As Israel prepares for what it sees as an almost inevitable next battle with Hezbollah, the Shiite Lebanese organization that fought a month-long war against Israel in 2006, Israeli military officials and experts are warning that the group has done more than significantly build up its firepower since then. | |
| − | Maps and aerial photography provided to The New York Times by Israeli military officials this week illustrate, they say, that Hezbollah has moved most of its military infrastructure into the Shiite villages of | + | Maps and aerial photography provided to The New York Times by Israeli military officials this week illustrate, they say, that Hezbollah has moved most of its military infrastructure into the Shiite villages of southern Lebanon and around their perimeters. Israel says this amounts to using the civilians as a human shield. |
Without knowing when the next war will break out, or what might precipitate it, the Israelis are blunt about the implications: They will not hesitate to strike at those targets, so southern Lebanon will most likely be the scene of widespread destruction. | Without knowing when the next war will break out, or what might precipitate it, the Israelis are blunt about the implications: They will not hesitate to strike at those targets, so southern Lebanon will most likely be the scene of widespread destruction. | ||
| Line 40: | Line 52: | ||
A slide from an Israel Defense Forces presentation that it says illustrates how Hezbollah has moved military facilities into civilian areas.</blockquote></ref><ref>'On the target: Hezbollah's "human defenders" in Lebanon.' Israel Hayom, Jan 6, 2019. ''Hezbollah in Lebanon // Photo: Reuters. An open secret is that Hezbollah stores weapons in civilian buildings in southern Lebanon, thus creating a human shield against activity.'' | A slide from an Israel Defense Forces presentation that it says illustrates how Hezbollah has moved military facilities into civilian areas.</blockquote></ref><ref>'On the target: Hezbollah's "human defenders" in Lebanon.' Israel Hayom, Jan 6, 2019. ''Hezbollah in Lebanon // Photo: Reuters. An open secret is that Hezbollah stores weapons in civilian buildings in southern Lebanon, thus creating a human shield against activity.'' | ||
https://www.israelhayom.co.il/interactive/amp/article/622059</ref><ref>'US Congress Urges UN to Crack Down on Lebanon's Hizbullah.' The Media Line, Nov 25, 2019. | https://www.israelhayom.co.il/interactive/amp/article/622059</ref><ref>'US Congress Urges UN to Crack Down on Lebanon's Hizbullah.' The Media Line, Nov 25, 2019. | ||
| − | https://themedialine.org/mideast-daily-news/us-congress-urges-un-to-crack-down-on-lebanons-hizbullah/</ref><ref>Hollie McKay: "28 Hezbollah missile launch sites detected in civilian areas, highlighting its 'human shield' tactic in Lebanon." Fox News - Last | + | https://themedialine.org/mideast-daily-news/us-congress-urges-un-to-crack-down-on-lebanons-hizbullah/</ref><ref>Hollie McKay: "28 Hezbollah missile launch sites detected in civilian areas, highlighting its 'human shield' tactic in Lebanon." Fox News - Last Update July 14, 2020. |
https://www.foxnews.com/world/28-new-hezbollah-missile-launch-sites-detected-in-civilians-areas-highlighting-its-human-shield-tactic</ref><ref>Hezbollah - Using Lebanese Citizens as a "Human Shields". | https://www.foxnews.com/world/28-new-hezbollah-missile-launch-sites-detected-in-civilians-areas-highlighting-its-human-shield-tactic</ref><ref>Hezbollah - Using Lebanese Citizens as a "Human Shields". | ||
https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/pdf/PDF_human_shields_1.pdf</ref><ref>Hezbollah's Use of Human Shields | https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/pdf/PDF_human_shields_1.pdf</ref><ref>Hezbollah's Use of Human Shields | ||
| − | https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/hezbollah/hezbollah/hezbollahs-use-of-human-shields/</ref> (Iranian proxy). | + | https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/hezbollah/hezbollah/hezbollahs-use-of-human-shields/</ref><ref name=hezbollah-july2021>Anna Ahronheim, "[https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/idf-hezbollah-storing-weapons-25-meters-from-a-school-673810 IDF: Hezbollah storing weapons 25 meters from a school]," JPost, July 14, 2021.<br><i> |
| + | The explosion of a Hezbollah warehouse near a school, should it happen, would be half the size of the Beirut explosion of last year... a possible target belonging to Hezbollah in the southern Lebanese village of Ebba in the Nabatieh Governorate... the terrorist group is storing rockets, military-grade explosives and other weapons in a residential building just 25 m. from a school with 300 students.</i> | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Nir Dvori, Roni Daniel, "[https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/2021_q3/Article-c3560899505aa71027.htm N12 - Watch: The IDF unveils a weapons depot set up near a school yard]", N12, July 14, 2021.<br><i> | ||
| + | The IDF is preparing for a possible confrontation on the northern border. | ||
| + | Preparing for possible confrontation with Hezbollah: IDF unveils weapons depot placed near a schoolyard in Lebanon. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Northern Command decided to expose one of Hezbollah's thousands of terrorist targets and explained that "the organization has been turning Lebanese citizens into human shields for years" - The IDF emphasizes that the rocket threat to Israel is serious but non-existent: What is the IDF's strategy and how does the economic crisis in Lebanon affect its situation with Israel? | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the center of Kfar Abba, in the heart of the dense construction, is a school used by 300 of the village's children. About 25 meters from the school yard, Hezbollah is hiding a large weapons depot. "Hezbollah is turning its citizens into human shields for its military infrastructure," the Northern Command explains. Hides tons of explosives within touching distance of children.</i> | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.0404.co.il/?p=761284 The next Lebanon war: a bank of targets, an air strike and a terrorist organization hiding behind hundreds of children] 0404, July 14, 2021. | ||
| + | <br><i> | ||
| + | It can be consistently seen that the terrorist organization Hezbollah uses civilian assets as an operational tactic for military activity, on the other hand, the IDF and the Northern Command will take all measures to reduce harm to civilians ... | ||
| + | |||
| + | One of the thousands of existing targets in the Northern Command that will be attacked in the next Lebanon war is a warehouse containing weapons. Hezbollah intended to use it against IDF fighters and citizens of the State of Israel. The warehouse was established in the heart of the civilian population in Lebanon, a few meters near a school... in the village of Abba... about 25 meters from the official school of Kfar Abba.</i></ref> (Iranian proxy). | ||
| + | * [[Arafat]] - [[PLO]].<ref name=uscongress1983/><ref name=minister/> | ||
| + | *[[Arafat]]'s [[Fatah]] 'Force 17' القوة 17]]<ref>Elior Levy, [https://m.ynet.co.il/articles/bk211jtim5 Documents from the Defensive Shield prove: This is how the Palestinian Authority supported terrorist attacks and terrorists], ''YNet'', Apr 16, 2022.<blockquote> | ||
| + | <font size=1> | ||
| + | The letter to Arafat verifying the allegations that the PA defended terrorist cells, the documents that stunned Marwan Barghouti during his trial, and the surprises revealed in the Muqata in Ramallah. Documents found during Operation Defensive Shield are first revealed 20 years later and shed light on the PA's role in attacks against Israel. | ||
| + | The Israeli defense system has always been known as a breakthrough in the integration of intelligence production technology. But signal intelligence (SIGINT in professional language) as good as it may be can not be a substitute for human intelligence (HUMINT) and field intelligence that there is only one way to achieve it - with feet on the ground. This assumption is true today and was also true two decades ago, during the days of the second intifada. | ||
| + | One of the major questions that troubled the defense establishment during the Intifada in the early 2000s was the extent to which the Palestinian Authority and its security forces were involved in promoting terrorist attacks against Israeli targets. | ||
| + | Operation Defensive Shield, at the height of the Intifada, in which the IDF reconquered Palestinian cities, provided an opportunity to get its hands on incriminating material that could shed light on the Palestinian leadership's plans and actions on this issue. 20 years. | ||
| + | Classified documents and plans to protect the section | ||
| + | |||
| + | For the purpose of locating the materials, the field intelligence unit was recruited AMSHT (Collection of loot documents and technical equipment). The intelligence unit, which consists of reservists, was established during the Yom Kippur War and its role is to enter the raiding areas with the fighting forces, collect documents and material equipment and go out with it from the operational activities. | ||
| + | During Operation Defensive Shield, IDF forces raided, among other things, security and civilian facilities of the Palestinian Authority. Many documents of enormous intelligence value were stored inside the headquarters of the security services and office buildings, and the unit's role was to reach and collect them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A picture of bin Laden next to shrapnel found in the unit's raid | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/11/Bkw15xGNq/Bkw15xGNq_0_108_1024_576_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | (From the private album) | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We worked according to the requirements of the intelligence department," said Haim Levy, one of the unit's founders and its SMGD (Deputy Commander of a Battalion.) during the operation. "The unit was composed of fighters and translators. We joined elite units and within the target we carried out the intelligence handling. "In any such raid, we began to sort out the relevant documents on the ground that might shed light on the intentions of the Palestinians, and if there was a large amount of documents and maps - we would seize them and take them out to the bases." | ||
| + | As the operation deepened, the unit's work became more and more frequent, and within a short time the IDF obtained enormous amounts of official documents, correspondence, maps, weapons and other means. | ||
| + | "We set up a huge hangar in the Beit El area, to which large quantities of crates were poured, including all the material we collected," Levy said. "At one point the hangar was not enough, so another hangar was set up in Glilot, where Unit 8200 is located." | ||
| + | The document sorting method was based on a number of filters. The first - field sorting of materials that may be relevant. Because in these areas there were battles between IDF forces and Palestinian militants, the sorting was preliminary and quick. | ||
| + | The second filter was in a hangar in Beit El, to which the crates were dumped and where translators from various units in the intelligence corps passed through them. The third stage of screening was carried out in a hangar set up in Glilot, which was obtained by documents that had a high intelligence value, and from which the intelligence obtained through them was processed. | ||
| + | The unit also operated for the purpose of producing intelligence at sites used for military purposes and carrying out terrorist attacks. "We raided lathes where improvised weapons were made and explosive labs. In the labs we would take the materials and from them the intelligence corps was able to learn what the terrorist organizations' capabilities were in producing explosive devices and explosive belts. Among other things, we got our hands on explosive training manuals." | ||
| + | Some of the activity also required breaking into hard safes where particularly sensitive documents were stored. "We had a special team whose job was to break into safes. The team was skilled, and it was a matter of a few minutes," Haim said. "In the safes we found classified documents, money, lists of military operatives, war theory booklets, and operational plans to protect the Muqatta in Ramallah." | ||
| + | The raids of the AMSHT (Collection of loot documents and technical equipment) unit did not only end with the facilities of the Palestinian security forces and Hamas explosives laboratories. In those days, the IDF took control of large parts of the Muqata compound in Ramallah, a small part of which was besieged by Yasser Arafat. | ||
| + | During the search, we found documents that directly linked Arafat to the attacks and the aides who were part of the chain of attacks," recalled Shlomo (Sami) Ohana, who served in those days as a unit commander in the unit. "All the materials we obtained in our activities were transferred, among other things, to the American administration by the then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon." | ||
| + | |||
| + | The letter that indicted Arafat | ||
| + | |||
| + | One of the documents seized by the unit, linking senior Palestinian Authority officials to terrorism and aiding the wanted, is a December 2001 letter personally addressed to Yasser Arafat with the logo of Palestinian General Security, one of the Palestinian security services. | ||
| + | The letter reports that in accordance with Arafat's request, a squad of the Islamic Jihad organization operating from the Jenin refugee camp was monitored and the Palestinian Authority is interested in arresting its members to prevent Israel from arresting or eliminating them. The letter states that members of the cell have expressed a willingness to cooperate with the arrest. | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/Hk1T7srE9/Hk1T7srE9_0_0_2081_3000_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | The document to Arafat that clarifies that the PA tried to save terrorist cells (Photo: IDF Spokesman) | ||
| + | |||
| + | In fact, the letter makes it clear that the Palestinian Authority has tried to save terrorist cells, including those affiliated with extremist factions and rivals such as Islamic Jihad, through defensive detention until the rage passes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In those days, Ohana knew the section closely, because the unit's fighters were repeatedly dispatched into the large compound following intelligence information about the presence of unusual means in it. One of the dispatches there he remembers most of all: | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/11/r1T00KefEc/r1T00KefEc_0_90_1024_576_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | The Muqata in Ramallah as documented by AMSHT fighters | ||
| + | (From the private album) | ||
| + | |||
| + | "One Friday evening I received a phone call from Haim (Haim Levy the SMGD - E.L.), and he asked me to arrive quickly at the unit. And carrying out a serious attack. " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Israel has already gained experience from severe terrorist attacks carried out from the air, such as the Night of the Gliders in 1987. "We quickly jumped into the muqattah and started searching a certain part of the compound. We went into one of the rooms and discovered a parachute with an engine placed next to it on the floor. Then we discovered another parachute, and everything was meters from where Arafat was besieged. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The documents that left Barghouti in shock | ||
| + | |||
| + | One of the symbols of the second intifada was the head of Fatah's Tanzim, Marwan Barghouti. In 2002, he was arrested in a special operation, after receiving information that he was hiding in a residential building in the Tira neighborhood of Ramallah. The AMSHT unit got its hands on many documents that linked Barghouti to terrorist activities, the transfer of weapons, and financial assistance to the wanted. | ||
| + | One of the seized documents was written in August 2001, with an official request from the Tubas district of the Fatah movement to help return an M-16 rifle confiscated by the Palestinian Preventive Security in the district. | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/B10064irNq/B10064irNq_444_2116_1573_885_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | Barghouti's appeal to help return the rifle | ||
| + | (Photo: IDF Spokesman) | ||
| + | The letter clarified that the weapon belonged to Khaled Dragma, who was wanted by Israel at the time. At the bottom of the letter is a note in Barghouti's handwriting, in which he addresses Jibril Rajoub, who at the time was head of the Preventive Security Service in the West Bank, and calls on him to intervene to return the rifle. To read the full letter - click here [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/wcm_upload_files/2022/04/14/Bk7CCViHEq/5.pdf] | ||
| + | |||
| + | In another document seized and signed by Barghouti, from February 2002, there is a personal appeal to Yasser Arafat asking to pay a released security prisoner named Jamal Odeh, who was imprisoned for 11 years in Israel, $ 5,000 in aid of building a house. | ||
| + | In principle, and not necessarily related to this request, in those days the Palestinians used seemingly innocent code words among themselves for the purpose of transferring funds intended to direct terrorist attacks, out of caution from the Israeli security system and international intelligence agencies. | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/Sy4sViBE5/Sy4sViBE5_0_0_2098_1925_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | Barghouti's personal appeal to Arafat | ||
| + | (Photo: IDF Spokesman) | ||
| + | |||
| + | The documents seized by the unit, which link Barghouti to involvement in terrorist attacks against Israeli targets, became evidence in the trial against him. During the trial, Levy, who was part of the collections of those incriminating documents, was required to testify in court. | ||
| + | "The documents we found indicted him and revealed his involvement in terrorist attacks, in paying salaries to terrorists, in encouraging camps that provided inciting education for children," he said. "I was warned that he tends to lash out at witnesses to challenge them. But in my testimony he did not utter a word and looked down when we presented the incriminating documents. He was in shock." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Palestinian police turned a blind eye to attacks against Israel | ||
| + | |||
| + | The documents seized in Operation Defensive Shield also shed light on internal frictions between senior members of the Palestinian security forces. One of them, is a letter of complaint signed by the Preventive Security Commander in Ramallah in those days, Sabri Tamizi. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In a letter from July 2001, addressed to the head of the main operations, he laments that the members of "Force 17" in Beituniya are working against IDF forces from the homes of Palestinian civilians, against their will. To read the full document - click here [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/wcm_upload_files/2022/04/14/S1e0CNoSN9/2.pdf] | ||
| + | |||
| + | The complaint against the activity of force 17 out of civilian homes | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/r1uVEjH45/r1uVEjH45_0_0_2151_3000_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | (Photo: IDF Spokesman) | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another document seized is a circular from the Palestinian police chief, Razi Jabali, in which he demands that the ceasefire be maintained with Israel and not harmed. This follows cases in which Palestinian police, mainly from the Jenin district, were "recruited for the purpose of fulfilling foreign goals that harm Palestinians," meaning that police turned a blind eye or participated in terrorist activities against Israel. To read the full document - click here [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/wcm_upload_files/2022/04/14/Hk110CNjrN9/3.pdf] | ||
| + | Allegations against Palestinian police officers who turned a blind eye or carried out terrorist attacks against Israel | ||
| + | [https://ynet-images1.yit.co.il/picserver5/crop_images/2022/04/14/HkLtNoHV5/HkLtNoHV5_0_0_2094_3000_0_x-large.jpg] | ||
| + | (Photo: IDF Spokesman) | ||
| + | |||
| + | "The documents found during the Defensive Shield period last night were critical to completing the intelligence picture regarding the Palestinian Authority's involvement in carrying out terrorist attacks," said Brigadier General Yossi Kuperwasser, who headed the Armenian research division during the operation. We and the political echelon must present conclusive proof of this to our partners around the world." | ||
| − | * [[Hamas]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aidf.il+%22human+shields%22&oq=site%3Aidf.il+%22human+shields%22 idf], [https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Amfa.gov.il+%22human+shields%22 mfa]</ref><ref>[https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/?s=Human+shields M. Amit]</ref> Iranian proxy.<ref>[https://jcpa.org/hamas-is-acting-as-an-arm-of-iranian-power/ Hamas is Acting as an Arm of Iranian Power], Dore Gold, JCPA, May 20, 2021</ref><ref name=jcpa-jul132021>[https://jcpa.org/the-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-leadership-and-their-ties-to-iran/ The Hamas and Islamic Jihad Leadership and their Ties to Iran], Evan Brown, | + | Followers |
| − | *[[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]].<ref name=jcpa-jul132021/><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-market-in-gaza-city-injuries-reported-674567 | + | |
| + | Twenty years have passed since Operation Defensive Shield. The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has changed and changed its approach to inciting inferno attacks against Israelis. Levy and Ohana have already been released from the reserve, but it is clear in a conversation with them that they still carry closely their experiences from those days. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Levy said that if he had the opportunity, he would like to meet with Abu Mazen. "He is the person who pulls the strings. There is cooperation with him, and today they prevent a lot of things." Ohana, on the other hand, expressed interest in his opponent at home. "I would be happy to meet Muhammad Dahlan, he is a character we would hear a lot about. At every intersection I would hear his name. I am very interested to know what he thinks today and what he wants. I would also give him some advice." | ||
| + | [Ohana in unit activity. "I would be happy to meet with Muhammad Dahlan, I would give him some advice" | ||
| + | (From the private album)] | ||
| + | The time that has passed since the operation and the technological revolution have led to an evolutionary process also in the unit itself, which now operates as a battalion of fighters within Unit 8200, and in a completely different way than before. | ||
| + | "The world has changed and we had to adapt to reality," said the current commander of the cruise, Captain G. “We have established a boutique force that is the latest evolution of last night. Today we specialize in working within targets from which we are required to extract intelligence in any configuration possible in real time. That is, if in the past equipment was taken back in anti-aircraft guns - then we know everything in the field. " | ||
| + | Most of the unit's work in recent years has focused on the Palestinian arena. "We get into action in places where the only way to get intelligence is with our feet on the ground. Our way of thinking is that we reach a destination, and it can be likened to an escape room. | ||
| + | According to Capt. Z., despite technological advances, another bright future awaits the party he heads. "This unit is only becoming more and more relevant. As the world progresses there are a lot of advanced technological capabilities that allow for remote accessibility, but on the other hand there are also things that cannot be reached, but only physically."</font></blockquote></ref> | ||
| + | * ''Tanzim'' (Arab-Palestinian group).<ref name=rb-2002/> | ||
| + | * Fatah al-Islam - Shaker al-Absi (2007).<ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/aug/90852.htm Designation of Fatah al-Islam under Executive Order 13224].<br><i>Media Note | ||
| + | Office of the Spokesman | ||
| + | Washington, DC | ||
| + | August 13, 2007.</i><blockquote> | ||
| + | ... Fatah al-Islam, an offshoot of the Syria-backed secular Palestinian terrorist group Fatah al-Intifada, has been led by Shakir al-Absi, a well-known Palestinian-Jordanian militant who was sentenced to death in absentia in Jordan for his involvement in the 2002 murder of U.S. diplomat Laurence Foley. Moreover, Fatah al-Islam initiated the recent hostilities in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli, Lebanon, with an unprovoked attack on Lebanese security forces in May, and used civilian refugees as human shields during the fighting. Over 130 Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers and civilians have lost their lives in the conflict at Nahr al-Barid. This terrorist group threatens the safety and security of the Lebanese people and the region.</blockquote></ref><ref name=gatestone-17apr2017>Khaled Abu Toameh, [https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10210/palestinians-enemies Palestinians' Real Enemies: Arabs], ''Gatestone Institute'', April 17, 2017 | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | The Arab heads of state and monarchs do not like to be reminded of how badly they treat Palestinians and subject them to discriminatory and apartheid laws. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is not comfortable or safe to be a Palestinian in an Arab country. Scenes of lawlessness and anarchy inside Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank have also driven many residents to move to nearby cities and villages. Most refugees in the West Bank no longer live inside UNRWA-run camps. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Let us end where we began: with the Palestinian (non)leadership. What has it done to help its people in the Arab countries? Nothing. No Palestinian leader will urge an emergency session of the UN Security Council to expose the ethnic cleansing and killing of Palestinians in Arab countries. No Palestinian leader will demand that the international media and human rights organizations investigate the atrocities perpetrated by Arabs on their Palestinian brethren. We are sure to see more such criminal silence when Abbas meets with the president of the United States. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Palestinians living in refugee camps in the Arab world are facing ethnic cleansing, displacement, and death -- but their leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are too busy tearing each other to pieces to notice or even, apparently, care much.... | ||
| + | |||
| + | About 10 years ago, the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon was shelled by the Lebanese army; most of its houses were destroyed. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee the camp; hundreds were killed and wounded after a Palestinian terror leader, Shaker al-Absi, and his men launched a series of deadly attacks on Lebanese targets, and the Lebanese army assaulted the camp. Before they were attacked by the Lebanese army, Al-Absi and his men had barricaded themselves inside the camp, using civilians as human shields. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The scenario of Nahr al-Bared is now repeating itself in another Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon: Ain al-Hilweh. As in the previous instance, a terror leader, Belal Bader, has found shelter inside Ain al-Hilweh, home to more than 50,000 Palestinians. Like al-Absi, Bader is affiliated with radical Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. Bader's presence in the camp has triggered a gang war with other Palestinian factions, resulting in heavy fighting between the warring gangs inside Ain al-Hilweh. In the past week, at least eight Palestinians have been killed and 40 wounded.</blockquote></ref> | ||
| + | * ''Al-Qassam'' (Arab-Palestinian group).<ref name=hrw2009/> | ||
| + | * [[Hamas]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aidf.il+%22human+shields%22&oq=site%3Aidf.il+%22human+shields%22 idf], [https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Amfa.gov.il+%22human+shields%22 mfa]</ref><ref>[https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/?s=Human+shields M. Amit]</ref><ref name=book-yaalon-2008/> Iranian proxy.<ref>[https://jcpa.org/hamas-is-acting-as-an-arm-of-iranian-power/ Hamas is Acting as an Arm of Iranian Power], Dore Gold, JCPA, May 20, 2021</ref><ref name=jcpa-jul132021>[https://jcpa.org/the-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-leadership-and-their-ties-to-iran/ The Hamas and Islamic Jihad Leadership and their Ties to Iran], Evan Brown, Lenny Ben-David, JCPA, July 13, 2021</ref> Pakistani and Iranian trained.<ref>https://www.opindia.com/2021/06/pak-senator-boasts-about-training-hamas-terrorists-says-will-continue-to-do-so-watch-video/</ref> | ||
| + | * Bilal Badr, ("Palestinian" jihadist <ref>Najia Houssari, "Palestinian fugitive announces he is in Syria", ''Arab News'', 02 January 2018.<blockquote> | ||
| + | BEIRUT: Bilal Badr, who was a leader of a militant extremist group in Ain Al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, said in a statement that he has moved to Syria. | ||
| + | The statement was circulated on social media and bears the signature of Badr, who is wanted by Lebanese authorities. | ||
| + | He had been hiding in Ain Al-Hilweh for more than a month, and there were rumors that he had left the camp. | ||
| + | In the statement, a copy of which was obtained by Arab News, Badr addressed his followers, saying: “From the land of jihad and pride, from the den of the lions in the Levant which we have immigrated to only to support the religion of God, raise the banner of monotheism, and support the oppressed and beleaguered Muslims. I would like to thank you for helping your sister, who is your honor. I congratulate myself for having brothers like you. May God gather us as His obedient followers in this world, and in paradise in the hereafter.”.. | ||
| + | Badr’s group includes 25 militants.</blockquote></ref>) in 2017.<ref name=gatestone-17apr2017/> | ||
| + | *[[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]].<ref name=book-yaalon-2008>Ya'alon, Moshe, the Long and Short Way. Yedioth Ahronot, 2008. [https://books.google.com/books?id=tXIMAQAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%9F+%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%99%22 36]. | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | Hamas, PIJ (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) and Fatah - who attack the State of Israel with terrorist attacks and rockets challenge the world order. These organizations also violate the laws of war by targeting civilians and by using their citizens as 'human shields.'</blockquote></ref><ref>Tal Ariel Amir, [https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-539787 Written in Blood: The Chilling Operations Diary of the Battle of Jenin Revealed], ''Maariv'' news, April 29, 2016.<blockquote><font size=1> | ||
| + | It was one of the most heroic and complex battles during Operation Shield in 2002, which aimed to eradicate Palestinian terrorism. One intense hour on April 9 that left behind 13 martyrs, many displays of heroism and stories of warrior brotherhood. A reserve infantry force, operating inside the Jenin refugee camp, went into an ambush in a small, low courtyard, which was named "the bath", thus becoming a stationary target for dozens of terrorists who had fortified themselves on the upper floors of the buildings around them. Under the cover of darkness, dozens of fighters from the Islamic Jihad sniped at them and threw trapped cans at them. But the evil of the reserve fighters was in their hands. Under heavy fire and at the risk of their lives, they worked uncompromisingly to rescue their wounded comrades. It was the sacrifice that led to the loss of the liver experienced by the assisting company from the 7020 battalion. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Now, exactly 14 years after that bloody battle, which took place on the seventh day of Passover, the diary of Jenin's operations has been revealed for the first time... | ||
| + | |||
| + | When did you understand that most of your friends to the department are not between life? "A moment before I entered the yard for the third time, which was silent at once, simply silence." The bath was armed with bodies and the mirror was creepy, I felt a dignity when I went to the fatal friends and crossed them.. These fighters are that he saved a whole nation by sacrificing their lives. After their deaths, the attacks decreased and we were here for their right. " What do you remember from your friends to battle? "It's hard to describe what we felt in Jenin, because it's a deep talking experience in us, I see Jenin's sights every day, I prefer to remember my friends as life and not like the laps in the yard in the refugee camp. They fought in a fierce. They are with me all the time." Full of March 2002 was loaded with terrorist attacks, as Israel did not know for many years, and therefore, according to all "black March". About 11 suicide bombings occurred in those days, and that the attack in the Park Hotel in Netanya, where 30 Israelis were murdered to celebrate the Passover order. In the same evening, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided, on the exit for the operation of a shield, in order to harm the terrorist infrastructure and stop the wave of attacks. The military operation went out on March 29 and surround all the grounds of Judea and Samaria. IDF forces entered Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin, to Bethlehem, Qalqilya and Tulkarem, bread from home to Beit House, revealed arms and arrested. In most cities, there were relatively easy fights, but Jenin There was another story. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The fighters entered the city on April 2. It was the first time when the army was dealing with a civilian environment, which used inhabitants as human shield. The Islamic Jihad members prepared for the battle and the mines throughout the small refugee camp, and bonzed about 15,000 cargo and explosive traps. Inside the houses, snipers hid, and the troublemaking alleys were placed. The conquest of Jenin was imposed on the Reserve Division 5, which one of its supervisors is 7020, known as Nachshon. The division will be buried in Golani 51 Battalion under the command of Ofek Buchris, in the reserve and graying units 13. The continued forces from Shutral, the Engineering and Cherry Unit. "On Friday, two days After the attack at the Park, I received an order 8", from Alfasi (43), which went to the operation and left at home behind him a pregnant woman. "I arrived at the base of the division and saw people in the clothes of holiday and those returned Especially from the farthest eastern trip. No one hesitated, the percentage of stabilization was full. We all was clear that we reached to save one's souls in Israel. | ||
| + | |||
| + | After two days training, our mission is Nablus. Only then the command was changed to Jenin, the capital of suicide. "In the face of it, there were preceding concerns?" There was a high sense of mission. If there were concerns they were erased. We initially arrived at the Salem checkpoint, on the outskirts of Jenin, and immediately noticed the pastoral environment. Remote could be seen in the Jezreel Valley and the Gilboa, but the planes… returned me to reality. I thought of the symbolism of a military operation on Passover, which is the holiday of the liberty. On the first day of Jenin Givat Hatanas, but the next day we returned to the Salem checkpoint and entered the nightmares into the refugee camp, located in the city center. Next to the hospital we went down the tools and around was dark. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first thing I saw was pharmaceutics glued to the walls of most houses, including pictures of suicide bombers or of Jews who were murdered. It put me in the focus. We immediately entered one of the houses and so looked our activity in the days to come. We moved from a house under a strong fire. Whenever you break the door, purify the floors, and there is no quiet moment. "The entrance to the refugee camp was slow and nervous. The ground was full of sabotage, connected to a hire, and it had to neutralize them one by one. About the soldiers who were treated with improvised explosives. From time to time, bombers' terrorists in an attempt to explode among them. Jenin's operations diary details the frequent reckless encounters." Chase After a blue Subaru near the cemetery, an eight man with vests and weapons. A tank shell shooting at them, ".. was written on April 6 at 11:20. Five minutes later, the Operation Sergeants wrote:" Shooting from a mosque tower toward our forces. Snipers responded. They also identified 20 armed men into a house..."</font></blockquote></ref><ref>Lilach Shoval, [https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/706357 Step by step: this is how the senior jihadist was eliminated], ''ILH'', Nov 12, 2019. | ||
| + | <blockquote><font size=1> | ||
| + | The decision on the targeted elimination of Baha' Abu al-Ata ("there was no choice"), and the precise hit ("excellent intelligence capability") - The steps that led to the escalation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Abu al-Ata was in the IDF's crosshairs for a long time. The Northern Gaza Brigade, which was responsible for most of the recent attacks, including the bombardment of the Gaza Strip about two weeks ago, the shooting during Netanyahu's speech at the political event in Ashdod and the shooting on Memorial Day. The IDF announced this morning that in recent months they tried in every way to stop him from his hostile activities. "We tried in every possible way," they clarified.</font> | ||
| + | <font size=2>Abu al-Ata, for his part, made sure to use human shields, including children, in order to prevent his elimination.</font> | ||
| + | <font size=1> | ||
| + | Last week, it was exceptionally approved to carry out the targeted elimination. With the exception of the assassination of a senior Hamas official in charge of finances, which was carried out last May, there have been no targeted assassinations in recent years. At the initiative of Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and in full coordination with the General Security Service, the operation was approved in an orderly procedure in the cabinet about a week ago, after which the IDF waited for the appropriate opportunity, with the understanding that Abu Elata planned in the coming days to fire rockets into the surrounding area, launch drones and sniper fire. "The Chief of Staff pushed for the implementation of the operation because he felt there was no other choice," emphasized the IDF spokesman. He also added that: "We understand that Baa was an unbridled factor who acted most of the times on his own accord in a way that was contrary to regional interests." | ||
| + | |||
| + | At 4:00 the long-awaited opportunity arrived. </font> | ||
| + | <font size=2>Abu al-Ata was in his home, unusually without a human shield except for his wife and the IDF jets set off. "The operation was very surgical," the IDF said after the incident. A precision missile hit the room where the senior jihadist was staying and caused it to collapse. "We didn't collapse the entire house, but the room he was in,"</font><font size=1>Silberman said of the surgical operation and revealed a touch of the IDF's operational technological capability. "We took advantage of an opportunity to hit him with minimal casualties," he said. Excellent of both bodies. Very close coordination with the Shin Bet and that's what led us to hit the specific room."</font></blockquote> | ||
| + | [https://www.pressreader.com/israel/israel-hayom/20191113/281590947388463 Gaza's agent of chaos]. ''Israel Hayom'', November 13, 2019. | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | - He was never arrested and surrounded himself with innocents to act as a human shield - Whenever Hamas sought calm, Abu al-Ata tried to create an escalation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bahaa Abu al-Ata has kept Israel's security elite very busy in the past year. The terrorist who emerged from the bottom, from the ranks of the Islamic Jihad, and rose to the military top of the organization, systematically challenged Israel and the appeasement against Hamas...</blockquote></ref><ref name=jcpa-jul132021/><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-market-in-gaza-city-injuries-reported-674567 1 killed, 10 injured in explosion at Gaza City market] Tzvi Joffre, ''JPost'', July 22, 2021.<blockquote> | ||
... after a weapons storage belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movement at the Al-Zawiya market in Gaza City exploded on Thursday morning... The PIJ seemed to take some form of responsibility on Thursday evening, announcing that it would "rise up to its responsibilities" and follow up with all concerned parties concerning the explosion in the market. The terrorist movement expressed its "full solidarity" with those affected by the explosion. | ... after a weapons storage belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movement at the Al-Zawiya market in Gaza City exploded on Thursday morning... The PIJ seemed to take some form of responsibility on Thursday evening, announcing that it would "rise up to its responsibilities" and follow up with all concerned parties concerning the explosion in the market. The terrorist movement expressed its "full solidarity" with those affected by the explosion. | ||
The injured were transferred to Shifa Hospital in the coastal enclave. The Palestinian killed in the incident was identified by Palestinian media as Atta Saqallah. | The injured were transferred to Shifa Hospital in the coastal enclave. The Palestinian killed in the incident was identified by Palestinian media as Atta Saqallah. | ||
| − | "Instead of responding to UN calls for the reconstruction of Gaza, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites," added Adraee. "These terrorist organizations store their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, exposing them directly to danger."</ref><ref>[https://www.20il.co.il/%D7%A6%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A5-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%A1%D7%9F-%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%92/ | + | "Instead of responding to UN calls for the reconstruction of Gaza, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites," added Adraee. "These terrorist organizations store their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, exposing them directly to danger."</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.20il.co.il/%D7%A6%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A5-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%A1%D7%9F-%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%92/ IDF: The largest explosion in the Gaza Strip - an Islamic Jihad weapons depot], News 20. |
Thirteenth of Av 5781 (22/07/2021) . | Thirteenth of Av 5781 (22/07/2021) . | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
| Line 58: | Line 227: | ||
Lt. Col. Avichai Adrai, the IDF's spokesman in Arabic, reveals on his Twitter account that the explosion that took place earlier today in the Gaza Strip and caused deaths and injuries was caused by a malfunction in the Islamic Jihad's weapons depot. | Lt. Col. Avichai Adrai, the IDF's spokesman in Arabic, reveals on his Twitter account that the explosion that took place earlier today in the Gaza Strip and caused deaths and injuries was caused by a malfunction in the Islamic Jihad's weapons depot. | ||
| − | "The explosion is further proof that the terrorist organizations prefer to continue their murderous activities over the interests of the residents of the Gaza Strip. "Instead of responding to UN calls for Gaza rehabilitation, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites, storing their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, and exposing them directly to danger," Edrei wrote on his Twitter account.</blockquote></ref> Iran linked.<ref>[https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm THE TERRORIST CONNECTION - IRAN, THE ISLAMIC JIHAD AND HAMAS] Elie Rekhess "Justice", Vol. 5 (May 1995) [Fas.org]</ref> | + | "The explosion is further proof that the terrorist organizations prefer to continue their murderous activities over the interests of the residents of the Gaza Strip. "Instead of responding to UN calls for Gaza rehabilitation, terrorist organizations continue to manufacture weapons and promote the construction of military sites, storing their weapons in the heart of residential neighborhoods and among civilians, and exposing them directly to danger," Edrei wrote on his Twitter account.</blockquote></ref><ref>AbuAliEnglish @AbuAliEnglishB1n Tweeted:<blockquote> |
| + | Media outlets in Gaza realized that it's probably not a good idea to publish clips of rockets being launched from the heart of civilian areas... They began blurring out the lower part so as to hide the truth. You have both versions of the same clip. Share it with the world!</blockquote> --- | ||
| + | ([https://twitter.com/AbuAliEnglishB1/status/1555857839305986048 Aug 6, 2022]).<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | AbuAliEnglish @AbuAliEnglishB1 Tweeted:<blockquote> | ||
| + | They did fire rockets at other targets, attached are pictures showing once again rockets being fired from civilian areas at civilian areas. In the #West_Bank, the operatives of PIJ military wing in #Jenin claim that they fired at #IDF targets at precisely 9:00... </blockquote> --- | ||
| + | ([https://twitter.com/AbuAliEnglishB1/status/1555987140693168128 Aug 6, 2022])</ref><ref>Tal Marciano, [https://www.srugim.co.il/?p=698351 The children who were killed in Jabaliya - as a result of Jihad shooting], Srugim news, 06.08.22.<blockquote> | ||
| + | Contrary to the Palestinian publications regarding the killing of the children in Jabaliya, it appears that the IDF did not attack in Jabaliya and the deaths are the result of failed shooting by the Islamic Jihad... | ||
| + | after an investigation it was reported that there had been no attack by the IDF in Jabaliya since 18:51 and the deaths there were the result of failed shooting by the Islamic Jihad organization.</blockquote></ref><ref>Emanuel Fabian, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/deadly-blast-in-jabaliya-unequivocally-a-failed-islamic-jihad-rocket-officials/ Deadly blast in Jabaliya 'unequivocally' a failed Islamic Jihad rocket — officials], ''TOI'', Aug 6, 2022.<blockquote> | ||
| + | An explosion that rocked the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, killing at least four children, was a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket launch, officials say. | ||
| + | According to a military official, the Israel Defense Forces did not conduct any airstrike in the area at the time of the blast. | ||
| + | The official says the IDF detected the launch on its radar systems and saw it land in the area. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "We have videos that prove beyond any doubt that this is not an Israeli attack. It has been unequivocally proven that it was a failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch," another Israeli official says. | ||
| + | According to the IDF, some 90 rockets fell short in the Gaza Strip since Friday.</blockquote></ref><ref name=ag-28sep2022/><ref>Idan Yosef, [https://news1.co.il/Archive/001-D-460028-00.html Exchange of fire in Jenin: terrorists shot from behind an ambulance], News1, 10/14/22.<blockquote> | ||
| + | Palestinian militants took cover near an ambulance of the Red Crescent and fired from there at our forces. [https://www.news1.co.il/uploadimages/NEWSY20154bd7e5b148478590010e8c0c0c916a.jpg] | ||
| + | Palestinian terrorists opened fire and detonated an explosive device at IDF and IDF forces who were operating (Friday, 14.10.22) in Jenin to arrest a Hamas operative suspected of having carried out shooting attacks against the security forces. The forces returned fire. According to reports, two or three Palestinians were killed. The armed men took cover near the Red Crescent ambulance and from there fired at the troops. The troops left the refugee camp in the city under heavy fire, unharmed. | ||
| + | The Jenin Battalion in the military arm of the Islamic Jihad announced that it was the one that fired at the IDF forces.</blockquote></ref><ref>[International Human Rights Lawyer] | ||
| + | Arsen Ostrovsky @Ostrov_A ([https://twitter.com/Ostrov_A/status/1580854649049223168 Oct 14, 2022]):<blockquote> | ||
| + | #Palestinian terrorists in #Jenin today, firing at Israelis, while using an ambulance as a shield. This is gross war crime! Where is the outrage by all those who don’t waste breath to condemn Israel & profess to care so much about international law? | ||
| + | [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfBS5WAWAAAEl67?format=jpg]</blockquote> | ||
| + | - Hallel Bitton Rosen (@BittonRosen) ([https://twitter.com/BittonRosen/status/1580803110838358018 October 14, 2022]):<blockquote>The terrorists shoot under the protection of elders and ambulances at our fighters. [pic.twitter.com/K0NwEa3qNz].</blockquote></ref> Iran linked.<ref>[https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm THE TERRORIST CONNECTION - IRAN, THE ISLAMIC JIHAD AND HAMAS] Elie Rekhess "Justice", Vol. 5 (May 1995) [Fas.org]</ref><ref>[https://www.fdd.org/in_the_news/2022/08/05/israel-targets-pij-commander-in-gaza/ Israel Targets Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Commander in Gaza], ''FDD'', Aug 5, 2022. | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | Latest Developments: | ||
| + | An Israeli strike has killed Taysir al-Jabari, the Gaza commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which the U.S. Department of State designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Jabari "was responsible for multiple terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians." | ||
| + | PIJ had threatened to attack Israeli targets after the arrest earlier this week of senior PIJ figure Bassam al-Saadi. Israel’s internal security service, Shabak, said Saadi was the PIJ leader in the West Bank and was behind the "building of a significant military force." Shabak added that Saadi "was a significant factor in the radicalization of the organization’s operatives in the field." | ||
| + | |||
| + | PIJ Profile: | ||
| + | Founded in 1981, PIJ is the second-largest militant group in Gaza after Hamas. In the 1990s and again during the Second Intifada from 2000 to 2005, PIJ targeted Israeli civilians with suicide bombings, including the Netanya mall bombing in December 2005, which killed five Israelis and wounded fifty. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Dependent on Iran: | ||
| + | PIJ is the Palestinian militant group closest to Iran, on which it depends for financial and military support. Thanks to Iran, PIJ in Gaza has acquired military-grade weapons that range from small arms to man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), rockets, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). PIJ fighters have also trained inside Iran. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Remotely Led: | ||
| + | PIJ has a local leadership structure in Gaza, although its senior leaders reside in Syria, Lebanon, and other countries in the region. Unlike Hamas, PIJ does not compete in elections, employ civilian front organizations, or govern any part of Gaza. When weighing the risks of attacking Israel, it therefore has less need to consider the impact of a potential military response. Ziyad al-Nakhlaheh, Khaled al-Batsh, Hader Adnan, and Muhammed al-Hindi are among PIJ’s most visible leaders and spokesmen. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Independent from Hamas: | ||
| + | Despite PIJ's cooperation with Hamas, which also has close ties to Iran, PIJ has launched attacks on Israel at times when Hamas would have preferred not to escalate. These attacks seek to demonstrate that PIJ is the most militant organization in Gaza and can act independently. | ||
| + | |||
| + | History of Clashes with IDF: | ||
| + | In November 2019, an IDF strike killed Jabari’s predecessor, Bahaa Abu al-Atta, resulting in several days of clashes between PIJ and the IDF. In February 2020, the IDF conducted strikes against PIJ militant infrastructure in both the Gaza Strip and Syria. | ||
| + | There has been a sharp increase in PIJ casualties over the last year and half, with numerous militants killed during engagements with Israeli personnel during counter-terrorism operations. Coupled with the establishment of PIJ fighting units, or "katibat," in several West Bank cities, the increase in violence suggests an organized PIJ effort to expand its military capabilities in the West Bank. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Expert Analysis from FDD’s Joe Truzman: "Israel likely felt an attack by Palestinian Islamic Jihad was imminent and reacted first. The history of conflict with the PIJ suggests a high likelihood of an armed response in the coming days by PIJ and the other militant groups that belong to Palestinian Joint Operations Room, including Hamas."</blockquote></ref><ref>(''YNET'' journalist) | ||
| + | Yossi Yehoshua @YehoshuaYosi Tweeted ([https://twitter.com/YehoshuaYosi/status/1555424949791227904 Aug 5, 2022]): | ||
| + | <blockquote> | ||
| + | The address to the tension in the Gaza Strip in front of the Islamic Jihad should only be searched in one place: Iran. The hand that shakes the front in the south and north.</blockquote></ref> | ||
| + | |||
==Palestine: 1939== | ==Palestine: 1939== | ||
| − | Already in 1939, | + | Already in 1939, Yusuf Sa'id Abu Durra (1900 – 1940 - nom de guerre: Abu Abed), of [[Mohammed Amin Al-Husseini]] grand Mufti of a Jerusalem's terror gang, used women to escape.<ref>[https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1939/02/03/01/article/17 The Palestine Post, 3 February 1939] |
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
MUFTI CONDEMNED RY EX-TERRORIST FAKHRI ABDUL HADI'S OPEN LETTER TO MUFTI | MUFTI CONDEMNED RY EX-TERRORIST FAKHRI ABDUL HADI'S OPEN LETTER TO MUFTI | ||
| Line 75: | Line 291: | ||
==Terror states, dictators== | ==Terror states, dictators== | ||
| − | * [[Saddam]]'s [[Iraqi]] loyalists, Islamists | + | * [[Saddam]]'s [[Iraqi]] loyalists, Islamists 2003–2004.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/03/24/sprj.irq.pentagon/index.html Pentagon: Iraqi forces engaged in 'deadly deception'] |
| − | Pentagon calls deaths of Syrian civilians 'regrettable'. CNN, Tuesday, March 25, 2003. | + | Pentagon calls deaths of Syrian civilians 'regrettable'. CNN, Tuesday, March 25, 2003. |
| − | Video. | + | Video.<br><i> |
| − | The Pentagon says Iraqis have engaged in 'deadly deception' by feigning surrender and using human shields. CNN's Jamie McIntyre reports.</i></ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2003/03/27/fedayeen-ferrets-dirty-band-dubbed-war-criminals-2/ Fedayeen Ferrets: Dirty Band Dubbed ‘War Criminals ’] | + | The Pentagon says Iraqis have engaged in 'deadly deception' by feigning surrender and using human shields. CNN's Jamie McIntyre reports.</i></ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2003/03/27/fedayeen-ferrets-dirty-band-dubbed-war-criminals-2/ Fedayeen Ferrets: Dirty Band Dubbed ‘War Criminals ’] Aly Sujo, NYPost, March 27, 2003. |
<i> | <i> | ||
Angry U.S. officials accused the Iraqis yesterday of committing war crimes and using an arsenal of dirty tricks on the battlefield. | Angry U.S. officials accused the Iraqis yesterday of committing war crimes and using an arsenal of dirty tricks on the battlefield. | ||
| Line 90: | Line 306: | ||
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this week accused the Iraqis of “acts of treachery.” | Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this week accused the Iraqis of “acts of treachery.” | ||
| − | “They are dressing their forces as liberated civilians and sending soldiers out waving white flags … with the goal of drawing coalition forces into the ambushes,” he said.</i></ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/14/le.01.html CNN.com - Transcripts. | + | “They are dressing their forces as liberated civilians and sending soldiers out waving white flags … with the goal of drawing coalition forces into the ambushes,” he said.</i></ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/14/le.01.html CNN.com - Transcripts. CNN LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER] |
| − | CNN LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER] | ||
<i> | <i> | ||
Interview With Lynne Cheney; Interview With Saeb Erakat. | Interview With Lynne Cheney; Interview With Saeb Erakat. | ||
| Line 105: | Line 320: | ||
And what you've had is, after the maneuver phase, when Saddam's regime fell, which was an excellent campaign, and then now, in fact, now, in the country with the counterinsurgency efforts, excellent work being done by our military, but the transition between maneuver combat and counterinsurgency today gave some breathing time to these internal insurgents and external foreign fighters that now put those things together and are being used against our forces and others today in Iraq, because they had too much time to breathe and get reorganized.</i></ref> | And what you've had is, after the maneuver phase, when Saddam's regime fell, which was an excellent campaign, and then now, in fact, now, in the country with the counterinsurgency efforts, excellent work being done by our military, but the transition between maneuver combat and counterinsurgency today gave some breathing time to these internal insurgents and external foreign fighters that now put those things together and are being used against our forces and others today in Iraq, because they had too much time to breathe and get reorganized.</i></ref> | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Gaddafi]] [Qaddafi, Khadafy] [[Libya]]n dictator (2011).<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/10/libya.war/index.html S. African president: Gadhafi accepts terms of agreement] - CNN, Apr 10, 2011. |
<blockquote>NATO says Gadhafi's forces are using civilians as human shields.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.today.com/video/gadhafi-forces-continue-to-attack-rebels-45142595719 Gadhafi forces continue to attack rebels] Today, NBC, March 20, 2011. | <blockquote>NATO says Gadhafi's forces are using civilians as human shields.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.today.com/video/gadhafi-forces-continue-to-attack-rebels-45142595719 Gadhafi forces continue to attack rebels] Today, NBC, March 20, 2011. | ||
| − | + | ''NBC’s Jim Maceda, reporting from Tripoli, says that the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is desperate to take control of Misurata, the largest rebel-controlled city near Tripoli, possibly using civilians as human shields.''</ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2011/03/22/khadafy-forces-civilians-into-target-city-as-attacks-devastate-hq/amp/ Khadafy forces civilians into target city as attacks devastate HQ] New York Post, Mar 22, 2011. | |
| − | + | ''The erratic ruler has threatened to use civilians as human shields against attack. (REUTERS).''</ref> | |
| − | *[[Syria]], [[ | + | *[[Syria]], [[Bashar al-Assad]].<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/25/syria-local-residents-used-human-shields Syria: Local Residents Used as Human Shields], HRW, Mar 25, 2012. |
| − | <i>Reports of Residents Forced to March in Front of Soldiers in Idlib – Syrian government forces have endangered local residents by forcing them to march in front of the army during recent arrest operations, troop movements, and attacks on towns and villages in | + | <i>Reports of Residents Forced to March in Front of Soldiers in Idlib – Syrian government forces have endangered local residents by forcing them to march in front of the army during recent arrest operations, troop movements, and attacks on towns and villages in northern Syria. |
| − | Witnesses from the towns of al-Janoudyah, Kafr Nabl, Kafr Rouma, and Ayn Larouz in the Idlib governorate in northern Syria told Human Rights Watch that they saw the army and pro-government armed men, referred to locally | + | Witnesses from the towns of al-Janoudyah, Kafr Nabl, Kafr Rouma, and Ayn Larouz in the Idlib governorate in northern Syria told Human Rights Watch that they saw the army and pro-government armed men, referred to locally as shabeeha, force people to march in front of the advancing army during the March 2012 offensive to retake control of areas that had fallen into the hands of the opposition. From the circumstances of these incidents, it was clear to the witnesses that the purpose of this was to protect the army from attack. |
“By using civilians as human shields, the Syrian army is showing blatant disregard for their safety,” said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Syrian army should immediately stop this abhorrent practice.”</i> | “By using civilians as human shields, the Syrian army is showing blatant disregard for their safety,” said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Syrian army should immediately stop this abhorrent practice.”</i> | ||
| Line 134: | Line 349: | ||
Buses filled with prisoners moved to military targets to be used as human shields against Western airstrikes, British paper reports. | Buses filled with prisoners moved to military targets to be used as human shields against Western airstrikes, British paper reports. | ||
| − | Thousands | + | Thousands of Syrian prisoners have been moved to military targets to be used as human shields against Western air strikes, Britain's Daily Mirror reported Friday. |
| − | According to the report, | + | According to the report, Damascus residents said they saw buses filled with inmates being taken from their cells to sites the regime believes could be targets. |
The opposition Syrian National Coalition said: "Assad’s fascist regime is amassing activists and civilians in prisons in military locations that may be targets for foreign forces."</i></ref> | The opposition Syrian National Coalition said: "Assad’s fascist regime is amassing activists and civilians in prisons in military locations that may be targets for foreign forces."</i></ref> | ||
* [[Turkey]]'s (dictator<ref>[https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/11/turkey-erdogan-coup-hdp-pkk-syria-gulen-ypg Turkey's Fascist Slide] Güney Işıkara, Alp Kayserilioğlu, Max Zirngast, Jacobin, Nov 10, 2016. | * [[Turkey]]'s (dictator<ref>[https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/11/turkey-erdogan-coup-hdp-pkk-syria-gulen-ypg Turkey's Fascist Slide] Güney Işıkara, Alp Kayserilioğlu, Max Zirngast, Jacobin, Nov 10, 2016. | ||
| − | + | ''Turkish president Erdoğan is wielding the state to attack anyone who won't capitulate to his authoritarian rule.''</ref><ref>[https://m.imdb.com/title/tt7054718/ Erdogan: The Dictator's Republic], Imbd, | |
2017</ref><ref>[https://stockholmcf.org/turkish-journalist-goes-on-trial-for-insulting-erdogan-in-fascist-dictatorship-column/ Turkish journalist goes on trial for insulting Erdoğan in ‘fascist dictatorship’ column] SCF, June 28, 2018</ref><ref>[https://euobserver.com/political/147624 What does Erdoğan want?] Robert Debeuf, EU Observer, Mar 4, 2020. | 2017</ref><ref>[https://stockholmcf.org/turkish-journalist-goes-on-trial-for-insulting-erdogan-in-fascist-dictatorship-column/ Turkish journalist goes on trial for insulting Erdoğan in ‘fascist dictatorship’ column] SCF, June 28, 2018</ref><ref>[https://euobserver.com/political/147624 What does Erdoğan want?] Robert Debeuf, EU Observer, Mar 4, 2020. | ||
<i> | <i> | ||
| Line 150: | Line 365: | ||
He also said he refused €1m in extra cash, saying "we don't want this money". | He also said he refused €1m in extra cash, saying "we don't want this money". | ||
| − | Despite this statement, former Nato secretary-general Willy Claes said on Belgian television that Erdogan is "a dictator" and that "all he wants is money".</i></ref><ref>[https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/16/biden-action-against-erdogan/amp/ Will Biden Turn His Words Against Dictator Erdoğan Into Action?]Adulrahman Taleb, Greek City Times, Nov 16, 2020. | + | Despite this statement, former Nato secretary-general Willy Claes said on Belgian television that Erdogan is "a dictator" and that "all he wants is money".</i></ref><ref>[https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/16/biden-action-against-erdogan/amp/ Will Biden Turn His Words Against Dictator Erdoğan Into Action?] Adulrahman Taleb, Greek City Times, Nov 16, 2020. |
| − | + | ''Furthermore, Biden openly attacked dictator Erdoğan and called him an “autocrat” and promised that he will work with the opposition parties.''</ref><ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/12/31/what-the-biden-presidency-means-for-turkey-and-erdogan-post-trump.html Erdogan should be very, very worried': What the Biden presidency means for Turkey] Natasha Turak, CNBC, Dec 31, 2020. | |
| − | + | ''In an interview last January, Biden called Erdogan an “autocrat,” criticized his actions toward the Kurds..''</ref><ref>[https://amp.france24.com/en/20190313-netanyahu-hits-back-turkeys-dictator-erdogan Netanyahu hits back at 'Turkey's dictator Erdogan'], France 24, Mar 13, 2019. | |
| − | + | ''Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "dictator" and "a joke"...''</ref> ethnic-cleanser, oppressor, Islamist<ref>[https://www.theglobalist.com/turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan-eu-nato-kurds-islamism/ J’Accuse Erdogan] Alon Ben-Meir, Globalist, July 9, 2020. | |
<i> | <i> | ||
The weaker Recep Tayyip Erdogan is at home politically, the longer the list of the Turkish President’s transgressions gets.</i> | The weaker Recep Tayyip Erdogan is at home politically, the longer the list of the Turkish President’s transgressions gets.</i> | ||
| Line 175: | Line 390: | ||
He also steadfastly refuses to resume negotiations with the Kurds — which account for as much as 20% of Turkey’s population — and end the carnage that has taken the lives of approximately 40,000 on both sides. | He also steadfastly refuses to resume negotiations with the Kurds — which account for as much as 20% of Turkey’s population — and end the carnage that has taken the lives of approximately 40,000 on both sides. | ||
| − | 4.Erdogan purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense system which, once operational, NATO fears would seriously compromise the alliance’s intelligence sharing and technology — apart from being fully incompatible with NATO systems. | + | 4.Erdogan purchased Russia’s [[S-400]] air defense system which, once operational, NATO fears would seriously compromise the alliance’s [[intelligence sharing]] and technology — apart from being fully incompatible with NATO systems. |
| − | 5.Erdogan invested | + | 5.Erdogan invested heavily in promoting his Islamic agenda by supporting anti-Western Islamist extremist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and even ISIS. |
6.Erdogan uses Islam as a political tool by building mosques and other Islamic theological institutions. He also sends his imams to teach and preach his brand of religious nationalism in many countries in the Middle East and the Balkans. | 6.Erdogan uses Islam as a political tool by building mosques and other Islamic theological institutions. He also sends his imams to teach and preach his brand of religious nationalism in many countries in the Middle East and the Balkans. | ||
| Line 187: | Line 402: | ||
9.Erdogan sent troops to support Libya’s Government of National Accord in an effort to establish a strong foothold in the country, exploiting its oil and gas and threatening the free flow of energy from the Eastern Mediterranean. | 9.Erdogan sent troops to support Libya’s Government of National Accord in an effort to establish a strong foothold in the country, exploiting its oil and gas and threatening the free flow of energy from the Eastern Mediterranean. | ||
| − | 10.Erdogan violated a UN arms | + | 10.Erdogan violated a UN arms embargo while resisting NATO’s peace plans in Libya, including exercising extreme aggression against NATO ally France’s warship enforcing the embargo. |
11.Erdogan blocked a NATO defense plan for the Baltics and Poland and regularly intimidates Greece, a NATO member state, violating the country’s airspace with Turkish military jets. | 11.Erdogan blocked a NATO defense plan for the Baltics and Poland and regularly intimidates Greece, a NATO member state, violating the country’s airspace with Turkish military jets. | ||
| Line 197: | Line 412: | ||
13.Last but not least, Erdogan perpetuated the heated conflict with Cyprus over his demand that his puppet — the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus — enjoy equal political power to the Republic of Cyprus, which is four times larger in population and territory and is an EU member state.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/mario-draghi-dictator-recep-tayyip-erdogan-sofagate/ Italy’s Draghi slams Erdoğan as a ‘dictator’ after Sofagate] Giorgio Leali, Politico, April 8, 2021. | 13.Last but not least, Erdogan perpetuated the heated conflict with Cyprus over his demand that his puppet — the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus — enjoy equal political power to the Republic of Cyprus, which is four times larger in population and territory and is an EU member state.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/mario-draghi-dictator-recep-tayyip-erdogan-sofagate/ Italy’s Draghi slams Erdoğan as a ‘dictator’ after Sofagate] Giorgio Leali, Politico, April 8, 2021. | ||
<i> | <i> | ||
| − | Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi slammed Turkish Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref> fascist<ref>[https://turkeypurge.com/exiled-novelist-asli-erdogan-turkey-has-a-fascist-regime-it-is-not-yet-1940s-germany-but-1930s Exiled novelist Aslı Erdoğan: Turkey has a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s] | + | Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi slammed Turkish Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref> fascist<ref>[https://turkeypurge.com/exiled-novelist-asli-erdogan-turkey-has-a-fascist-regime-it-is-not-yet-1940s-germany-but-1930s Exiled novelist Aslı Erdoğan: Turkey has a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s] TurkeyPurge, Aug 6, 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/turkey-turning-into-fascist-dictatorship-meps-told Turkey turning into "fascist dictatorship", MEPs told] Martin Banks, The Parliament Magazine, Nov 8, 2016 |
<i> | <i> | ||
| − | A leading Turkish opposition parliamentarian says that Turkey has been turned into a "fascist dictatorship" under its President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref><ref>[https://amp2.handelsblatt.com/recep-tayyip-erdogan-birth-of-a-dictator/23540062.html Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Birth of a Dictator] von John Blau, Handelsblatt, Dec 8, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/19/jailed-turkish-editor-can-dundar-slams-eu-deal-with-erdogans-fascist-governmentJailed Turkish Editor slams EU deal | + | A leading Turkish opposition parliamentarian says that Turkey has been turned into a "fascist dictatorship" under its President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref><ref>[https://amp2.handelsblatt.com/recep-tayyip-erdogan-birth-of-a-dictator/23540062.html Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Birth of a Dictator] von John Blau, Handelsblatt, Dec 8, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/19/jailed-turkish-editor-can-dundar-slams-eu-deal-with-erdogans-fascist-governmentJailed Turkish Editor slams EU deal with Erdogan's fascist government], Kareem Shaheen, Guardian, January 19, 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/06/25/erdogan/ Opinion: Turkey takes a big step toward nationalist fascism] Omer Taspinar, Washington Post, June 25, 2018</ref>) [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]], (2020).<ref>[https://redpilledreality.com/turkey-caught-using-children-as-human-shields-at-border-with-greece-as-greece-fights-erdogans-violent-migrant-army/ Turkey Caught Using Children as Human Shields at Border With Greece as Greece Fights Erdogan’s Violent Migrant Army] March 2, 2020. |
<i> | <i> | ||
| − | Turkey has for a number of days now been using a violent migrant army of military age men to attack Greece because they did not support his regime change war in Syria. The Turkish regime | + | Turkey has for a number of days now been using a violent migrant army of military age men to attack Greece because they did not support his regime change war in Syria. The Turkish regime has armed these military age men with weapons such as gas canisters and Molotov cocktails to attack Greek police, army, navy, and Greek locals.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.martenscentre.eu/blog/turkish-bazaar-an-asymmetrical-threat-to-the-eu/ Turkish Bazaar: An asymmetrical threat to the EU] Panos Tasiopoulos, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, March 3, 2020. |
<i> | <i> | ||
... It is not the first time that Turkey is using civilians as human shields and tools of its foreign policy. During the Great War, the Ottoman Empire deported and exterminated a large part of its Christian population. In 1938, the Kemalist Republic followed a similar policy in Alexandretta. In September 1955, the Turkish state was behind the brutal “pogrom” against the Greek-Orthodox population of Istanbul. Two decades later, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus and forced thousands of Cypriots into exile. | ... It is not the first time that Turkey is using civilians as human shields and tools of its foreign policy. During the Great War, the Ottoman Empire deported and exterminated a large part of its Christian population. In 1938, the Kemalist Republic followed a similar policy in Alexandretta. In September 1955, the Turkish state was behind the brutal “pogrom” against the Greek-Orthodox population of Istanbul. Two decades later, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus and forced thousands of Cypriots into exile. | ||
| − | The same strategy is being used today on the Greek-Turkish border. Greece is facing an ongoing hybrid attack on land, sea and air by a so-called NATO ally. Recently, reports of cyber-attacks towards the Greek government and other sensitive sectors of the Greek state by Turkish hackers were published in the international press. In the first months of 2020, the violation and infringement of Greek airspace – with armed planes flying even over inhabited Greek islands in the Aegean – has reached new records. | + | The same strategy is being used today on the Greek-Turkish border. Greece is facing an ongoing hybrid attack on land, sea and air by a so-called NATO ally. Recently, reports of cyber-attacks towards the Greek government and other sensitive sectors of the Greek state by Turkish hackers were published in the international press. In the first months of 2020, the violation and infringement of Greek airspace – with armed planes flying even over inhabited Greek islands in the Aegean – has reached new records. |
| − | The recent decision by Erdogan and his authoritarian regime to encourage and push thousands of desperate people towards the north-east Greek sea and land borders comes as a natural continuation to a series of aggressive actions taken against Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. These actions include illegal exploration activities in the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and the illegal Turkish-Libyan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that openly violates Greek territorial sovereignty. In addition, reports and footage show that the movement of immigrants -including criminals detained in Turkish prisons- is being implemented with the active participation of the Turkish armed forces, police and the Turkish intelligence services (MIT). | + | The recent decision by Erdogan and his authoritarian regime to encourage and push thousands of desperate people towards the north-east Greek sea and land borders comes as a natural continuation to a series of aggressive actions taken against Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. These actions include illegal exploration activities in the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and the illegal Turkish-Libyan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that openly violates Greek territorial sovereignty. In addition, reports and footage show that the movement of immigrants -including criminals detained in Turkish prisons- is being implemented with the active participation of the Turkish armed forces, police and the Turkish intelligence services (MIT). |
| − | Turkey has become a state “trafficker” that does not recoil from politicising human pain and misery, in order to make political gains. The Greek government’s rightful decision to increase the level of deterrence at its borders and temporarily suspend the asylum applications is the only possible reaction for any state intent on protecting its territory from a well organised hybrid attack. | + | Turkey has become a state “trafficker” that does not recoil from politicising human pain and misery, in order to make political gains. The Greek government’s rightful decision to increase the level of deterrence at its borders and temporarily suspend the asylum applications is the only possible reaction for any state intent on protecting its territory from a well organised hybrid attack. |
| − | In the last 3 days, there have been over twenty- | + | In the last 3 days, there have been over twenty-four thousand instances of people illegally attempting to cross into Greek territory. In Evros, less than 200 were successful, in which case the intruders were immediately arrested. On Monday alone, over 1.000 arrivals were recorded on the Greek islands of the Northern Aegean. The situation is tense and a fatal accident could turn the whole situation into something that risks becoming uncontrollable. |
| − | It is more than certain that Erdogan’s regime will use fake-news and propaganda in order to attract public sympathy and portray Greece and Europe as the offenders. | + | It is more than certain that Erdogan’s regime will use fake-news and propaganda in order to attract public sympathy and portray Greece and Europe as the offenders. Turkey de facto cancelled the EU-Turkey Statement and Action Plan. Those who speak about asylum and international humanitarian law from the comfort of their office thousands of miles away from the Greek border tend to forget the geopolitical realities in the region. We are no longer talking about individuals who are escaping conflict zones. What we see is uncontrollable masses trying to reach Europe in huge numbers under the direct encouragement, guidance and facilitation of an official state actor and its services.</i></ref> |
==Anti-Israel forces== | ==Anti-Israel forces== | ||
The use of its civilians (in attacking [[Israel]]i civilians - the double crime<ref>Terry Glavin: 'By using human shields, Hamas doubles down on its war crimes. There is no equivalence between Israel's defensive targeting of Hamas launch sites in Gaza and the rockets targeting Israeli civilians.' May 12, 2021. | The use of its civilians (in attacking [[Israel]]i civilians - the double crime<ref>Terry Glavin: 'By using human shields, Hamas doubles down on its war crimes. There is no equivalence between Israel's defensive targeting of Hamas launch sites in Gaza and the rockets targeting Israeli civilians.' May 12, 2021. | ||
| − | https://nationalpost.com/opinion/terry-glavin-by-using-human-shields-hamas-doubles-down-on-its-war-crimes</ref>) by anti-Israel Arab-"Palestinians" or [[Hezbollah]] goes back to at least 1982, by [[Arafat]] at [[PLO]].<ref name=uscongress1983>[https://books.google.com/books?id=SvudKjsiDxAC&pg=PA131 United States Policy Toward Lebanon-relief and Rehabilitation... United States Congress. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 1983, p. 131] ''THE PLO THREAT. Israel has found in Lebanon enough PLO weapons to equip a massive army and to supply untold numbers of terrorist cadres... Arafat boasts of PLO terrorists serving in El Salvador, Angola and... In two ways however, the PLO was different from conventional armies. First, the PLO consciously attacked only civilians and, secondly, the | ||