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IAF Drilling for Strike on Iran?; Arabs Extending Gaza “Truce” to Yehuda, Shomron: Rationale to Blame Israel for Breaking?, Prisoner Swap Includes Shalit, or Not?; Rocks, Molotovs in Bethlehem, Shechem, Near Jerusalem
NY Times: Israel Conducts Drill Simulating IAF Strike on Iran
Full Text;
Israel has conducted a drill simulating an attack on facilities in Iran…
Senior American officials, who preferred to remain unnamed, told the paper that the exercise included 100 F-15 and F-16 warplanes which have undertaken maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean and near the coasts of Greece.
Helicopters also joined in the maneuvers, simulating forays into enemy territory to rescue downed pilots.
The aircraft used in the drill flew a distance of about 1,500 kilometers – similar to the distance between Israel and uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz, the officials said.
IDF officials reportedly refused to comment on the exercise and its purpose.
Related report; IAF Maneuvers Viewed as Training for Attack on Iran
Egypt: Only After Prisoner Swap Can Gaza Blockade Be Entirely Lifted
Commentary;
The term; prisoner swap — before Shalit’s release or after? The report is vague. MB
Terrorists’ Demands in Judea and Samaria Threaten Truce, by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (Israel National News)
Excerpts;
Hamas and other terrorists groups have stated they will unilaterally extend their halt on terrorist attacks to Judea and Samaria but may consider IDF counterterrorist measures there a violation of the Gaza agreement that went into effect Thursday morning.
The terms of the understanding between Hamas and Israel, which was brokered by Egyptian mediators, call for the ceasefire to include Judea and Samaria after several months of quiet in Gaza. However, Islamic Jihad’s deputy leader Ziad Nakahleh warned, “We will respond even if the violation takes place in the West Bank.”
Seven Short Ideas About the Ceasefire, Dr. Aaron Lerner (IMRA)
Excerpts;
It is important to take into account that the military development program in the Gaza Strip is being directed by Iranian experts. This means not only a rapidly accelerated Gaza weapons industry (not prohibited by the ceasefire) but also sophisticated tactics, military construction and professionally run training programs so that the Hamas army can reach a self sustained critical mass possessing the military skills needed to carry out their war against the Jewish State considerably more effectively.
Are Israeli security officials – in coordination with the lawyers – working on the last touches of a “shock and awe” operation to follow the failure of the ceasefire?
Palestinians Hurl Stones at Israeli Car Southwest of Bethlehem; None Hurt