Katyusha scores direct hit on Nahariya apartment during live broadcast (UPDATED)

Israel Foreign Ministry range chart showing distances involved
in missile attacks on Israel. (Hat tip: Sarah D)

19:40 Thursday, UPDATE:

A Katyusha rocket hammered into a residential apartment building near Nahariya's main avenue a few minutes ago. Channel 2 reporter Moshe Nussbaum and cameraman caught the blast during a live update from the Ga'aton St. promenade.

There are initial reports on casualties in the strike, and thick black smoke was seen billowing over the site of the report, moments after the loud explosion interrupted Nussbaum's update.

An individual with a cameraphone closer to the point of impact sent flim clips showing flames and destruction. Three or four people sustained minor wounds, according to the report.

A live camera is showing an electrical generator ablaze.

10:30 Thursday, UPDATE:

Senior IDF sources are threatening to bomb and level Beirut skyscrapers if the Katuysha barrages continue, according to Channel 10 news. The Israeli army has imposed an air, land and sea blocade on Lebanon, in an effort to force the goverment to take action against Hizbullah.

IAF jets and missile boats struck the Beirut air and seaport and dozens of Hizbullah targets througout the country Thursday morning, killing and wounding some 30 terrorists and civilians, including a family of ten who were buried beneath the rubble of their home.

Hizbullah head Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah says his organization fired a long-range Raad 1 rocket at an Israel Air Force radar ops base on Mt. Meron, according to an 11:00 update. There is no confirmation of the claim, although an unspecified rocket was reported hitting the base earlier today.

11:45 Thursday, UPDATE:

Minister of Defense Amir Peretz on Thursday morning convened the Knesset foreign affairs and defense subcommittee to discuss the situation, and, reading from a prepared statement after the session said: "The aim of the operation is to keep Hizbullah away from Israel's northern border, and bring about Lebanese army deployment in the area."

A volley of at least five Katyusha rockets hit downtown Nahariya near a main avenue Thursday morning just after 0700. One woman, in her 40s, was killed in the strike, and more than 25 other local and area residents are being treated for wounds.

One rocket slammed through the roof of the victim's top floor apartment, killing her outright and causing damage.

UPDATE: A second barrage hit near a major avenue shortly before 0800. There are reports of wounded in this attack as well.

Officials halted commuter railway traffic to the city, due to the severity of the bombing, and closed one of the cities shopping malls, fearing more attacks. The regional hospital has gone on a war footing, moving wards to underground, bombproof facilities. Bomb shelters were opened.

Dozens of similar attacks are being reported along much of the northern border, including an Air Force bases on Mt. Meron near Zafed and Kiryat Shmoneh in the Galilee panhandle. Kibbutzim , towns and villages throughout the region have also been hit, as some 250,000 northern area residents spent the night in in bomb shelters and security rooms, and remain there, as this report is posted.

The IDF's Home Front Command ordered residents of communities north of the Amiad-Acre Road to remain close to their homes throughout Thursday and to pay attention to media outlets. Their emergency telephone number (in Israel) is 1207 from any cell or landline telephone.

Zefad is located just above the Sea of Galilee; Mt. Meron just to the left.

From Ynetnews:

Israel fears Hizbullah will attack with long-range rockets capable of reaching populated areas in Haifa, Sharon region.

Elsewhere, a Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades rocket maker is threatening Palestinian-made rocket fire at Jewish communities near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israel Matzav has more on the Israeli response.

Abbagav has a strong op-ed. I almost posted the money quote, but its better if you read it.

Ynetnews as well:

"This is no competition of false machismo. This is a fateful decision: Even if these two radical Islamic movements gain symbolic propaganda victories – it could free other enemies around the Middle East. The need to win this war is absolute. There can be no debate about it."

Israelinsider has a good overall roundup, with background material.

This report will be updated as further information becomes available.

IDF intel chief: Kidnapping 'a nightmarish peek into an Iranian-led Mideast' (Exclusive Podcast Interview)

Dr. Eran Lerman
(IDF Col. - res.)
(Photo: AJC)

Dr. Eran Lerman (IDF Col. - res.), former deputy chief of IDF strategic intelligence planning, talks with Israel At Level Ground in an exclusive interview:

• Is Israel on the brink of a multi-pronged hot war with Lebanon, Hizbullah, Syria and the Palestinians?
  
  
• Can the IDF logistically capable of carrying out such wide-ranging operations?
  
  
• Events over the next 48 to 72 hours.
  
  
• Is Defense Minister Amir Peretz - without military experience - up to the job ahead of him, or will he be a victim of circumstances, in way over his head?
  
  Listen in now.
  

IDF Chief: 'Israel should prepare for Hizbullah missile strikes against north and center of country'

Smoke from shelling along border with Lebanon. (Photo: YNET)

Hizbullah kidnaps two IDF soldiers, fires Katyusha and mortar barrage along northern border into Israel. Initial reports say one reserve soldier and one conscript taken hostage. Both are from the Druse community. At least one of them is reportedly still alive.

Map of area of fighting (Haaretz)

IDF ground forces enter southern Lebanon in massive show of force; tank runs over hidden land mine, killing three soldiers, according to initial reports.

11 civilians and soldiers wounded in strikes against IDF outposts, including Zarit, and Israeli towns and villages.

Two Hizbullah terrorists were reported killed in IDF actions earlier in the day.

All northern residents are in bomb shelters, after a Katyusha and mortar barrage shortly after 0900. There are reports of civilian casualties from strike. Shlomi mayor warns all Israelis along northern border to remain in shelters and reinforced rooms: "There could be more shelling at any moment."

An IDF soldier on a tank prepares to enter Lebanese
territory Wednesday. (Photo: Channel 2)

There have been hot intelligence alerts along the northern border for several months, especially after IAF jets buzzed Syrian President Bashar Assad's presidential palace at Latakia several weeks ago, after the Gilad Shalit kidnapping in southern Gaza, in a clear warning to Damascus-based Hamas politburo chief Khaled Maashal. Israel views Maashal as the mastermind behind the Gaza kidnapping.

IDF striking Hizbullah from land, sea and air in order to thwart the soldiers' abductors from escaping with the hostages further north, deeper into Lebanese territory. IAF jets hit two bridges, including over the Litani River to stop escape, and at Hizbullah outposts, some only 200 meters from from the Israeli border.

IDF sea and land artillery reportedly hit two power stations, as well as Hizbullah concentrations in southern Lebanon, south of the capital Beirut, terror strongholds in the Bekaa Valley near Syria, and Tyre in the north.

Lebanese road after IDF strike. (Channel 2)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that Israel's reaction will be “restrained, pinpoint and severe.” IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz convened senior military officials to discuss military responses.

"Israel should prepare for Hizbullah missile strikes against north and center of country," Halutz warned, the first time such a severe warning of Hizbullah attacks has been publically broached. The terror organization has Iranian-supplied missiles capable of reaching a wide swath of the north and center of the country.

“This morning's operations are not terror attack, but rather an attack against Israel by a sovereign nation, for no reason or right. The Lebanese government, with Hizbullah playing an integral part, is responsible for the attack,” Olmert said, saying that the attack was an attempt to destabilize the region.

“Israel and this citizens are going through a difficult hour, but will know how to deal with those who are trying to hurt us,” Olmert said. “Israel will not give in to extortion, and will not negotiate with terrorists. That was true yesterday, and is true today.”

“Israel views itself as free to act in any manner necessary to deal with the situation,” Halutz said, adding, “This action by Hizbullah will drag Lebanon 20 years into the past, and cause them great tragedy.”

The IDF is carrying out a major call up of reservists, due to the result of the severity of the situation.

The Israeli cabinet will convene this evening at 2000 to discuss further steps in the operations in Lebanon and Gaza.

Hizbullah officials are bragging about results of the attack and kidnapping, boasting that the release of thousands of Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners held in Israel prisons is close; Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan in Lebanon is also demanding the release of prisoners for Israeli captives.

Both Hizbullah and Hamas are demanding release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, including Samir Kuntar, jailed for killing Israelis in an attack several decades ago on the city of Nahariya.

The Lebanese cabinet is set to convene this afternoon to consider responses to the situation, according to the BBC's Arabic language reports. Lebanon has not implemented UN Resolution 1559, which calls for the army to deploy in the south, and disarm Hizbullah.

GAZA:

IDF dropped one ton bomb on a building where senior Hamas members in southern Gaza, killing six, and wounding 15, including several children according to Palestinians.

The attacks also reportedly wounded Hamas military chieftain Muhammad Deif, although it is not clear to what extent.

From The Jerusalem Post.

From YNETnews.

From Haaretz.

Absolut Hebron - Where am I? (Original photo contest)

Absolut Hebron (Photo: Dave Bender)

Just starting out the morning with this picture of an abandoned doorway I shot in Hebron.

First prize gets a hi-rez copy and a mention.

Anyone care to take a guess where it is? By the way, there was no Photoshopping of the image to make that shape, just slight color correction and sharpening.

Useful maps of the area and a backgrounder are here.

(Disclosure: I spent two weeks in reserve duty in Hebron guarding the Israeli Abraham Aveinu neighborhood several years ago. Came away from it with decidedly mixed feelings. Anyone willing to engage in a discussion on it is welcome to chime in.)

The photo below is also Hebron, from another location - you name it. Much more Photoshopping here: desaturation, sepia-toning, curves, etc.

Professional comments and critique are most welcome; I'm underwhelmed with the results, and want to go back and try for better composition and lighting; less noise and contrast. Hopefully that lovely little girl will also be there with that same innocent, expectatant smile.

Candle Girl - Hebron (Photo: Dave Bender)

Arabs Slyly Building Wall Around Israel (Satire)

"Jerusalem Envelope" barrier between southern Gilo neighborhood
and Beit Jala, to the south (Photo: Dave Bender)

Tel Aviv — Israel today continued to believe it was building a massive fence to seal off the West Bank instead of unwittingly footing the bill to construct the first stage of an 800-mile-long wall meant to seal off the entire state of Israel from everyone else.

Since construction began Sunday, Arab leaders have continually condemned the barrier, statements that have successfully motivated Prime Minister [Ehud Olmert] to keep building it.

"Israel should not unilaterally build a wall along its borders simply to keep Palestinians out," Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said at a press conference yesterday. "We prefer negotiation over separation."

"How was that?" Moussa then whispered to an aide.

"Great. They're still walling themselves in," the aide said.

Increasing the pressure, Jordan's King Abdullah II added he hopes Israel "will at least stop once they've built a fence, and will not add sensors, patrols, obstacles, and trenches." In response, Israeli government spokesman Dan Gold said the fence was "just the beginning. Soon we will have a full security zone, with sensors, patrols, obstacles, and trenches."

"This is too easy," Abdullah said later.

Abdullah also insisted he wants to meet with [Olmert] next week to vehemently oppose construction of, say, a full 800-mile wall around the entire country. As a result, [Olmert] is expected to refuse the meeting and finish the wall by winter.

Elderly Israeli resting on Gilo anti-sniping wall, unaware of youthful image behind him. Wall faces Beit Jala,
south of neighborhood from where Palestinian snipers fired at residents and homes.
Segment of "Jerusalem Envelope" barrier is seen behind bushes. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Family of US youth slain in Passover bombing set up foundation

Daniel Wultz, 16, of Weston, Fla, died from wounds inflicted in
April 17th suicide bombing at Tel Aviv old bus station

(Communicated from Naomi Ragen -Dave.)

(I am Sheryl Wultz, the mother of Daniel. I believe we must stand strong together to fight this evil of terrorism and would appreciate any help you can offer Daniel's foundation. You have my permission and thanks for forwarding my dear friend, Amy Ederi's, e-mail about Daniel's foundation. Sincerely, Sheryl Wultz)

>From Amy:

I am writing to all of you who prayed for Daniel's
recovery, encouraged others to do so, continued to pray for
Daniel's family to have strength to endure, responded to my
emails, shared my or your own emails with others, supported
this family in so many ways and have asked what else can be
done.

As each day has passed since Daniel's death on May 14th,
it has become more difficult for me to write. I assumed it
would become easier to do so, but as Mother's Day passed,
the initial week of Shiva passed, the first month of Shiva
passed, and Father's Day passed, the reality of all that
occurred and Daniel no longer being physically present with
us is still being deeply felt and processed. The void for
his family and friends is immeasurable. The loss for our
world is enormous.

Daniel and his tragic death have been acknowledged by the
President of the United States, Cabinet members, all members
of Congress, the Israeli Prime Minister and Israel's
government, diverse houses of worship, schools, and many
other individuals and organizations, including Daniel's
favorite sports team, the Miami Heat, who during their
playoffs to become the Champions of the United States,
memorialized Daniel with his photograph being displayed
throughout the Arena while a narrative was shared followed
by a moment of silent meditation. Several organizations
planned events that have occurred and others that will
occur in the future in Daniel's memory

I am writing to share with you that Daniel's family, after
much thought, has decided how they wish for all of us to
honor Daniel's memory.

A foundation is being created entitled "The Daniel Cantor
Wultz Foundation."

The Foundation's mission is: to educate people on the
effects of terrorism; build a community of individuals and
organizations committed to rejecting terrorism in all forms
and places; and to improve the world by promoting socially
responsible actions and ethically guided behavior.

The Foundation's goals are to: develop a high school based
written curriculum to be utilized in the public and private
school systems; develop workshops to be used in the school
system as well as other venues; educate adults through
lectures, movies and special awareness events on terrorism,
hate and intolerance; continue awareness through promoting
socially responsible behavior (such as consumer choices) and
legislative support (such as supporting anti-terrorism
legislation); and encourage ethically guided behavior
through encouraging all people to do good deeds and acts of
kindness.

The Foundation is starting to plan several events that will
provide opportunities for individuals and organizations to
participate in various manners and that will make an
everlasting impact to improve our world today and our world
for future generations. More detailed information will be
provided in the near future about the Foundation and
upcoming events.

Donations can be made to the "Daniel Cantor Wultz
Foundation" and sent care of Robert Josefsberg at Podhurst
Orseck, 25 West Flagler Street, Suite 800, Miami, Fla.
33130.

On behalf of Sheryl, Tuly, and Amanda, I thank you for your
ongoing prayers, support, and participation in assisting
them to achieve and exceed their goals in Daniel's memory.

---Amy

More at the One Family Fund.

Aftermath of of suicide bombing at "Mayor's Felafel," Tel Aviv.

This Just In: Israel Dismantles; World's Problems End (UPDATE: Video)

"It's not every day when the French, the Germans, Muslims, Communists, Nazis, Arabs,
Socialists, and the United Nations agree on things; when they do,
it's obvious that they must be correct."

UPDATE: Dramatic video of Hamas' response to move, and Knesset update here.

"My cabinet and I had long discussions about world troubles, and we concluded that our critics are right - all the troubles can be traced back to us. So, in order to resolve these issues, we felt it would be best to extend our withdrawal beyond Gaza to include the West Bank and Israel proper," [Olmert] said. 'The Gaza pullout was only a test, and the ensuing waves of peace and brotherhood it had triggered in Palestine and beyond, encouraged us to disband altogether. Without us here, people of the world will finally be able, once again, to live in permanent harmony and understanding - just like they all did before Israel's founding nearly sixty years ago.'

Persistent rhetoric coming from progressive critics has convinced
Israeli officials that the state of Israel has no moral right to exist.

"From Russia to Morocco to Yemen to France, countries are anticipating the arrival of Israelis. In Moscow, an enormous banner was erected that read 'Welcome Home, Jews.' and erstwhile presidential candidate Vladimir Zhirinovsky exclaimed, 'I'm going to bake a huge batch of cookies for this homecoming!' And in cities throughout Germany, joyous 'Judenfests' were ubiquitous, as local citizens were arranging festivals to celebrate the Jewish arrival. German foreign minister Joschka Fischer indicated that, 'For some reason, the Jewish presence in Germany is low by historical standards; many of our citizens under the age of 70 have never even met a Jew. In addition to curing the world's problems, the dismantling of Israel will give our people the opportunity to achieve their main wish in life - to live with Jews.'

PA Chairman Abbas: "We will bring to fruition all the programs started in refugee camps,
such as our breakthroughs in medicine, education, applied and theoretical sciences,
nanotechnology, and space exploration."

"Similarly, the new Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has kicked off a popular 'Iran-loves-Jews' campaign that will include a sensitive re-writing of the laws to accommodate religions other than Islam."

Kofi Annan: "Without Israel to condemn,
what resolutions could we possibly pass?
We're finished!"

Read it all.

UPDATE: to my new readers:

Hi there. Me here.

You may read the above and think, "C'mon, clearly this is cunning Jewish, Zionist, agitprop propaganda cleverly spun to bamboozle the unwashed, brainwashed masses away from considering Israel's war crimes against humanity!"

Wrong as the day is long, mon frere! Me? As far as exposing lying Zionist propaganda goes, I'm small potatoes, a mere drop in the bucket, nay, nada compared to this guy:

"Professor Hasan Bolkhari, Iranian “mass media expert” and cultural advisor to the Iranian Education Ministry, explains why the evil Jewish Walt Disney company unleashed the ultimate weapon against the Islamic world—Tom and Jerry cartoons:"

Film Seminar on Iranian TV: Tom and Jerry - A Jewish Conspiracy to Improve the Image of Mice, because Jews Were Termed "Dirty Mice"

In the eternal words of King David: "Katonti, m'lhikanes bein ha'harim," (Who such as I, dare go against such peaks of intellectual wisdom).

Former US amb. brother moves to Israel, over Green Line

Maale Adumim (foreground), looking west towards Jerusalem.

An interesting one-on-one interview at YNETnews with Ben Kurtzer, the brother of former US Ambassador Danial Kurtzer who, together with family, just made aliyah to Israel. The family moved over the Green Line to the city of Maale Adumim, just due east of Jerusalem.

"Ben Kurtzer always dreamed of making aliyah, but he did not want to make life complicated for his big brother, the former American ambassador to Israel. He was concerned that his rightwing views and his desire to settle over the Green Line with his family would cause a diplomatic incident. His brother was replaced a year ago, and Ben Kurtzer is no longer afraid. He moved to Israel, resides in Maale Adumim, and even laughs when he recalls how Ariel Sharon referred to him as ‘too right-wing’"

Lots more after the jump.

Maps of the area.

Wikipedia on Maale Adumim.

Palestinian Body Armor (Editorial Cartoon)

"Palestinian body armor" (Cox & Forkum)

From a Fox News report:

"The Palestinian casualties, while mostly gunmen, include civilians. On Saturday a woman and her two children were killed in a blast at their house and four other family members were wounded.

"Israeli military officials said they weren't responsible. They said the only military activity in the area was a successful airstrike on a cell firing anti-tank missiles.

"In Gaza City, hundreds of people joined a funeral procession for the family. The body of 6-year-old Rawan Hajaj was carried on a bloodstained stretcher, her face exposed and body covered in a flag of the Islamic Jihad militant group. In a show of unity, gunmen from rival Palestinian factions fired into the air.

"Late Saturday, the United Nations accused Israel of widespread human rights violations and hardship to civilians. It said the operations "have seen innocent civilians, including children, killed, brought increased misery to hundreds of thousands of people and ... will wreak far-reaching harm on Palestinian society."

"Israeli officials rejected the criticism.

"'Anybody who calls this operation disproportionate has no clue about the facts on the ground. We have been attacked and bombarded for months and weeks," Cabinet minister Yitzhak Herzog said Sunday. "With all due respect to all those who criticize us, if anything of this nature would have happened in their homeland, they would have acted much worse.'

"'The simplest thing really is to release the soldier, stop the rocket fire and then things will return to normal,' Justice Minister Haim Ramon, who is close to Olmert, told Israel Radio."

More thoughtful discussion about the notion of "sacrifice" and "self-interest" among Palestinians after the jump.

JerusalemOnline news update: 20:00, July 9th (Video - Channel 2 TV)

Today's Headlines:

> Police to probe charges of blackmail plot against President Katsav > Kassam barrage on Sderot wounds Israeli > Failed IAF strike against Gaza terrorists kills Palestinian

Comments on this presentation are welcome
both at the JerusalemOnline site, and here on Blogger