BICOM statement on Beit Hanoun

Commenting on the Israel Defence Forces incursion into Beit Hanoun, Chief Executive Lorna Fitzsimons said:

"Israel cannot stand aside and allow missiles to be fired into its towns and villages. 300 rockets have been fired from Beit Hanoun alone since the start of the year. Israel withdrew its troops and citizens from Gaza last year and yet it is still facing daily missile attacks. No country can stand aside and let its citizens be terrorised in such a way."

Current Situation

• Since Wednesday, the IDF has engaged in a series of raids in northern Gaza, with a focus on the region around Beit Hanoun.
• A 19-hour standoff between IDF troops and Palestinian gunmen holed up in a mosque in Beit Hanoun ended Friday morning.
• According to the IDF, the gunmen have fled the mosque under the cover of a protest by Palestinian women.
• A Hamas radio station in Gaza broadcast a call on Friday for Gaza women to go to the mosque to serve as 'human shileds' for the gunmen.
• On Friday, a female Palestinian protester was killed outside the mosque. On Thursday, seven Palestinians were killed, and an IDF soldier and 8 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday.
• The slain soldier was identified as Staff Sergeant Kiril Golenshein, 21, of Shekef. He was killed when the IDF forces came under fire from Palestinian gunmen as they approached a home in the area.
• Palestinian terrorist activities have continued as militants in Gaza pelted the western Negev with Qassam rockets.
• Despite continuous terror threats on the border crossings, 210 truckloads of food, medical supplies and other basic commodities were transfered to the Gaza Strip through the Karni crossing throughout the course of yesterday. In addition, 250 calves 39 truckloads of medial equipment and 42,000kg of flour went through the Sufa crossing.
• On Wednesday the Israeli security cabinet agreed that the IDF should proceed with preparations for an expansion of the current offensive in the Gaza strip.

Background

• IDF infantry troops and armored vehicles entered Beit Hanun before dawn on Wednesday, sparking heavy exchanges of fire with Palestinian gunmen
• The operation is the largest IDF incursion into the Strip since the June 25 abduction of IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit
• The IDF has confirmed that the operation's goal is to disrupt and prevent the launching of Qassam rockets into Israel, as 300 rockets have been fired at Israel from the town since the start of the year
• 14 Palestinian militant groups took responsibility for attacking IDF troops as part of the incursion
• IDF sources said the operation is expected to last several days, and does not represent a significant departure from previous operations in the Strip carried out since the capture of Shalit
• IDF sources also said they believe that an expanded operation in Gaza would only take place once Prime Minister Olmert returns from his U.S. visit in November
• At Wednesday's Cabinet meeting IDF proposals were discussed for expanded operations along the Philadelphi Route in Rafah, along the Gaza-Sinai border and against the extensive network of tunnels dug by the Palestinians to smuggle in weapons and other equipment. At this point it is known that the IDF has recommended a permanent takeover of the Philadelphi Route.

Key Quotes

• On Wednesday, government spokesperson Miri Eisen said the Security Cabinet reserved the right to conduct a large-scale operation in the future, but would have to meet again to approve one.
• On Wednesday, a spokesman for Hamas, Abu Obeidah advised residents of Sderot to flee - 'Staying there is going to put their lives in danger. The rockets are not going to stop.'
• Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday that the IDF would expand its operation against smugglers, but that troops would not remain inside Gaza for an extended period of time.
• On Tuesday, GOC Southern Command Yoav Gallant told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas could feasibly establish a military division of some 10,000 soldiers with an operational force similar to Hezbollah's if it continues to strengthen at its current pace.

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