An undisclosed number of armored units ceased headed south to augment the army's Gaza Division in preparation for a possible large-scale operation to quell rocket fire.
A small number of reservists assigned to headquarters were called up as well, and Palestinian media reported that navy vessels were taking up positions off the Gaza coast.
Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman, said forces were mobilizing in response to a dramatic surge in the number of rockets fired by Hamas at southern Israel in the past 48 hours, taking up defensive positions in communities neighboring the coastal enclave.
"Our main message to Hamas is that we seek to de-escalate tensions and restore stability," Lerner told reporters. "We have moved forces to bolster defensive activities and to prepare for the possibility that the other side chooses not to de-escalate."
He would not comment on the size of the reinforcements.
The reinforcements were dispatched to the Gaza border after more than 50 rockets and mortars rained down on Israeli communities in the western Negev overnight Wednesday throughout Thursday, some of which struck apartment buildings in Ashkelon and Netivot and damaged vehicles. Several people were reported to have been treated for minor injuries.
- Most of the projectiles exploded in open areas, causing no injuries on the Israeli side.
Tensions have been running ever high between Israel and the Palestinians since Israel claimed that three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in southern West Bank on earlier last month. Three days ago, Israel announced that the three were found dead near the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Israel held Hamas movement responsible for kidnapping and killing the three Israelis and launched a large-scale offensive in the West Bank. During the offensive, seven Palestinians were killed, three houses were demolished and more than 500 were detained.
Sources: Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
3/7/14
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Group linked to Islamic State claims responsibility for murder of three Israelis
Israel is in "heavy mourning" after bodies of teens found
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Israel moves forces near to Gaza as boy's funeral delayed...
ReplyDeleteIsrael has begun reinforcing its military forces on its border with the Gaza Strip amid heightened tensions with the Palestinians.
The murders of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank was followed by the murder of a Palestinian youth in Jerusalem.
Israel says the move is part of its response to mortar and rocket fire from Palestinian militants from Gaza.
It follows air strikes against the territory early on Thursday.
Ten Palestinians were injured in the Israel Defense Forces bombardment, which followed barrages from Gaza which struck two homes in the southern Israeli border town of Sderot overnight.
Meanwhile, the funeral of the Palestinian teenager who was abducted and killed in Jerusalem has been delayed so that a post-mortem examination can be completed.
Mohammed Abu Khdair's father has said he hopes his son's burial can still take place on Thursday.
The 17-year-old's murder raised tensions amid claims it was in revenge for the killing of the three Israeli youths in the West Bank....................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28148976
3/7/14
Hamas has offered to halt its rocket attacks if Israel stops its air raids on the Gaza Strip, the BBC understands....
ReplyDeleteA source with the Palestinian militant group said Egyptian intelligence officials had brokered a potential ceasefire. Israel has not commented.
The Israeli army says four rockets were fired from Gaza on Friday. No injuries were reported.
There is high tension in East Jerusalem ahead of the planned funeral of a murdered Palestinian teenager.
There have already been two days of clashes there between masked Palestinians and Israeli police over the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdair.
The motive for his killing has not been confirmed but there are claims it was an act of revenge for the recent murders of three Israeli teenagers in the occupied West Bank. Israeli police are investigating.
The teenager's funeral has already been delayed, adding to the tension.
Police say they will hand the body to the family after Friday prayers, which are likely to end at about 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT).....................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28156268
4/7/14