Unclassified May, 2010

Unclassified Defining Trends The West Bank Terrorist activity in the West Bank has continued over the past month, as witnessed by several assaults against Israeli civilians and security forces. These assaults included several cases of rock throwing at civilians and IDF forces, as well as carrying and throwing of Molotov cocktails (May 7th, 13th, 19th, 27th), injuring of ten Israeli civilians and four Israeli soldiers. In addition, large quantities of arms have been discovered on Palestinians. Grenades, hunting rifles, handguns and pipe bombs are just a fraction of the vast amount of arms confiscated in May, reflecting the repeated attempts to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel's civilians and soldiers. Palestinian Security Force operations in the West Bank continue but their scope and quality must be increased. Israel will not compromise its security and when necessary, the IDF takes actions to prevent terrorist actions from being carried out. Terrorist attacks jeopardize the positive development which has taken place so far in the region.

Unclassified The Gaza Strip Defining Trends Operation "Sea Breeze": While intercepting a flotilla seeking to breach the naval blockade around Gaza, IDF forces encountered severe physical violence from the passengers upon one of the boats, during which 6 IDF soldiers were injured, 2 critically. 9 passengers were killed and 34 were injured. All casualties were later found to be affiliated with terrorist organizations. Efforts to aid the local resident in Gaza Strip continue, including transfers of food, equipment, and medical supplies. During the past month, over 2,500 trucks and 60,000 tons of supplies were provided to the residents of the Gaza Strip via the crossings. However, the Hamas is refusing to accept the humanitarian aid sitting at Kerem Shalom Crossing. Despite this, terrorist activity continues. During the past month, 7 mortar shells have been launched toward Israeli territory, several explosive devices were discovered and there have been numerous cases of Palestinians opening fire at IDF forces.

Unclassified May 2 nd – An Israeli discovered a tear gas grenade and a dud near Immanuel'. Around 60 Palestinian and Israeli Pro-Palestinian activists rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Gila. One IDF soldier was injured as a result. May 3 rd – IDF forces confiscated three pipes, gunpowder, and a shock grenade at the Focus checkpoint. IDF forces demolished 10 illegal Israeli structures near Shvei Shomron. May 4 th – Several Israeli activists set fire to a mosque near Ma'ale Levona. May 6 th – IDF forces demolished 2 illegal Israeli structures near Hashmonaim. Twenty Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Har Gilo. A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Karmei Tzur. One IDF soldier was injured as a result. Later near Karmei Tzur, a number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle. In a patrol following the riots, IDF forces found an IED thrown on the road. Major Events – West Bank May 2 nd – May 6 th

Unclassified May 7 th – Two suspicious Palestinians found carrying two Molotov cocktails were arrested at the Kalandia checkpoint. May 9 th – A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Har Gilo. A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces and at the security fence near Karmei Tzur. Several Palestinians rioted and threw stones IDF forces near Nablus. May 10 th – Three suspicious Palestinians found carrying 5 IEDs were arrested by IDF forces at the Beka'ot checkpoint. May 11 th – A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces and at Israeli civilians near Shilo. One IDF soldier was injured as a result. In response, IDF forces fired several shots in the direction of the suspects' lower body. No Palestinians were reported injured. Major Events – West Bank May 7 th – May 11 th

Unclassified May 12 th – IDF forces found an anti-tank mine during a patrol near the Hilton outpost. May 13 th – A number of Palestinians rioted and threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli civilian car near Karmei Tzur. One Israeli resident was lightly injured as a result. In response, IDF forces fired several shots at the suspects' lower body. No Palestinians were reported injured. IDF forces demolished an illegal Israeli structure near Zait Ra'anan. May 12 th – May 13 th Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 14 th – Shots were fired at an Israeli civilian vehicle near Ateret. Two Israeli civilians were injured as a result of the shooting. Approximately 100 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Efrat. Approximately 50 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Na'lin. Forty Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Halamish. One activist was injured as a result. May 15 th – Two Palestinians found carrying a handgun were arrested by IDF forces at the Nablus checkpoint. Forty Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Bracha. One IDF soldier was injured as a result. May 14 th - May 15 th Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 16 th – A number of Palestinian rioters threw stones at IDF forces near the Migdal Oz. IDF forces dispersed the riot. May 18 th - Three explosive devices were confiscated by IDF forces during an arrest at the Bekaot checkpoint. The explosives were dismantled by the IDF. 30 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near Karmei Tzur. May 19 th - Several Palestinians rioted, threw stones and a Molotov cocktail at an IDF mobilized patrol near Karmei Tzur. May 20 th - Near Hashmonaim, a number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at a civilian Israeli vehicle. IDF forces dispersed the riot. May 16 th - May 20 th Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 21 st – Palestinian rioters threw stones towards IDF forces in the Palestinian villages of Bil'in, Ni'lin and Nabi Salih. One BGP soldier and one Palestinian were injured as a result. IDF forces arrested an Arab Israeli civilian and a foreign national near Bethlehem. The two were arrested carrying two stun grenades and three gas grenades. May 22 nd - Palestinian rioters threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle near Azzun. The owner of the vehicle fired in the direction of the rioters. One Israeli civilian injured. The Palestinian Police found a mortar shell near Ein Shibli. An IDF detonation squad detonated the dud. May 21 st - May 22 nd Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 24 th - IDF forces demolished four illegal Israeli structures near Bat Ayin. Near Kibbutz Ma'ale Hachamisha, a number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an IDF mobilized patrol. Later, a number of Palestinians rioted, threw stones and a burning tire at the gate of the Karmei Tzur community. IDF forces dispersed the riots. No Palestinians were reported injured. May 27 th – Near Lamed Hei checkpoint, two Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails in the direction of an Israeli vehicle. Several Palestinians rioted and engaged BGP forces near by the village of Ramadin. IDF forces dispersed the riot. Ten Palestinians were injured. May 24 th – May 27 th Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 28 th - A number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces and at the technical fence near the villages of Ni'lin, Bil'in and Nabi Saleh. IDF forces dispersed the riot. In addition, a number of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at an Israeli civilian vehicle near Ma'ale Shomron. One Israeli resident was injured. May 29 th - 50 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces in the region of Bracha. IDF forces dispersed the riot. According to Palestinian sources, one Palestinian was injured. May 30 th - An Israeli vehicle ran over a Palestinian pedestrian near El Aroub. The traffic accident caused a group of 100 Palestinians to riot and throw stones towards the vehicle. IDF forces dispersed the riot. One Palestinian civilian and two Israeli civilians were injured as a result. May 28 th – May 30 th Major Events – West Bank

Unclassified May 2010: 7 Rockets Rockets and Mortars from the Gaza Strip Yearly January – May 2010: 89 Total Launchings Monthly

Unclassified May 1-31, 2010 Trucks: 2644 Supplies (tons): 63,157 Fuel (liters): 4.4 million Cooking Gas (tons): 3530 Humanitarian Support – Gaza Strip Erez Crossing Karni Crossing Nahal Oz Crossing Kissufim Crossing Sufa Crossing MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN ‘EREZ’ CROSSING SUMGGLING ATTEMPTS AT THE CROSSINGS (ARCHIVE)

Unclassified Major Events – Gaza Strip May 2 nd – May 7 th May 2 nd – An IDF mobilized force a dud near Kissufim crossing. Several shots were fired at the IDF bomb squad team that had arrived at the scene in order to dismantle the explosives. In response, IDF forces fired several shots at suspicious points. May 3 rd - One hand grenade was confiscated by IDF forces near Karni crossing. May 4 th - Shots were fired at Israeli civilian workers near Karni crossing. IDF forces returned fire at the suspected source of fire. Later that day, a 'Qassam' rocket dud was discovered and handed over to IDF forces in the vicinity of Kissufim crossing. May 7 th - Shots were fired at an IDF patrol south of Kissufim crossing.

Unclassified Major Events – Gaza Strip May 8 th – May 12 th May 8 th - A rocket landed near kibbutz Zikim. May 10 th - The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting two explosive devices in the vicinity of the Dahaniya airport in the Gaza Strip. May 11 th - An IED was discovered by IDF forces during initiated activity near Kissufim crossing. May 12 th - Shots were fired at an IDF force during an activity near Kissufim crossing. The force returned fire in the direction of the shooting. Later, the same force heard light-arms fire in the vicinity of Kissufim crossing and a 'Qassam' dud was found. A mortar shell hit in the vicinity of IDF forces conducting construction work near Karni crossing. Furthermore, shots were fired at IDF forces conducting construction work near Kissufim crossing. As a result, the IDF discontinued the activity.

Unclassified Major Events – Gaza Strip May 14 th – May 19 th May 14 th – IDF mobilized patrol observed two IED’s being detonated and three suspicious Palestinian advancing northbound, in the vicinity of Suffa crossing. IDF forces observed a suspicious Palestinian squatting west of the technical fence, near Karni crossing. Two IAF helicopters and IDF forces fired several shots at potentially threatening areas. May 18 th - Three explosive devices were confiscated by IDF forces during an arrest near an IDF checkpoint. 30 Palestinians rioted and threw stones at IDF forces near community of Karmei Tzur. IDF forces dispersed the riot. May 19 th - Several Palestinians rioted, threw stones and a Molotov cocktail at an IDF mobilized patrol near the community of Karmei Tzur.

Unclassified Major Events – Gaza Strip May 20 th - A rocket landed near kibbutz Zikim. May 21 st – The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting three tunnels intended for terrorism attacks in the Gaza Strip. One tunnel was located in the vicinity of the ‘El- Atatra’ refugee camp, and two tunnels were located near Kissufim crossing. Two armed Palestinian terrorists crossed the technical fence into Israeli territory north of the Kissufim crossing. An exchange of fire ensued between the IDF forces and the Palestinians. The two Palestinians were killed from IDF tank shell fire. Later on, as the forces were preparing to enter west of the technical fence, a shell hit in the vicinity of the force in the Gaza Strip and a sniper fired in the direction of a tank in the area. In a similar event, during the evening a Palestinian sniper fired in the direction of IDF forces located at an observation post in the vicinity of Kissufim crossing. May 20 th - May 21 st

Unclassified Major Events – Gaza Strip May 24 th - A Palestinian was identified firing shots at an IDF mobilized patrol near Erez crossing. May 28 th – A rocket hit near the town of Sderot. May 29 th - The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting five buildings in Dahaniya airport and an ammunition factory nearGaza City. Two rockets were launched near the refugee camp of El-Atatra. May 30 th - The IAF initiated a pinpoint attack targeting one tunnel intended for terrorist attacks near Dahaniya airport. May 31 st - A rocket landed near Beit Hanoun, in Gaza Strip territory. May 24 th - May 31 st

Unclassified Operation “Sea Breeze” – The Flotilla to Gaza In the early morning of May 31 st, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections. During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose. As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire. These events resulted in nine deaths among the passengers, all of who were involved in the violence, and numerous injured. Seven IDF naval commandos were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are critically wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. Major Events – Gaza Strip

Unclassified Around the IDF “Turning Point 4” Exercise The IDF Home Front Command, the National Emergency Authority, search and rescue forces, local Israeli authorities, government offices, security organization, the education system as well as public and private organizations have participated in the “Turning Point 4” exercise. The exercise is aimed at improving national preparedness and responses of the home front to emergencies. The exercise is intended to improve cooperation between the various organization and institutions and prepare them for different scenarios. The exercise, taking place for the fourth consecutive year, was scheduled and planned in advance as a part of the IDF’s 2010 training plan. This exercise is an additional measure taken by Israel to prepare the public and the local authorities fore emergency periods.