Last Thursday, August 18, was the beginning of savage acts that murdered eight of our people and wounded many others. Among those who died was a 22 year old Golani Brigade soldier.
An estimated 20 terrorists took part in the attacks near Eilat on Thursday afternoon. The terrorists were armed with guns and various missiles, some of which were fired at cars. Of the 20, some were on the front lines of the attack, while others kept a lookout or directed from the rear.
IDF soldiers on the Line 392 bus hit Thursday by terrorist gunfire responded quickly and professionally to keep passengers safe and assist the wounded, a victim's mother said Thursday afternoon. “The IDF paramedics there immediately began giving orders, and soldiers used their uniforms to create makeshift tourniquets,” she said. Passengers on the bus have also praised the driver for his bravery and quick thinking. Driver Benny Balevsky responded to the terrorist fire by immediately speeding up and escaping the scene, then worked to calm passengers while driving quickly to the nearest IDF base for help.
The attacks began when three terrorists from Gaza opened fire on a bus traveling between Eilat and Mitzpe Ramon. Ten passengers were wounded. A terrorist then set off an explosive belt decimating another bus, killing himself and the bus driver (there were no passengers). Another infiltrator fired a rocket-propelled grenade but missed hitting an IAF helicopter. One of the two surviving terrorists then opened fire at a passing car, killing two sisters and their husbands. He then shot and killed a woman in another vehicle.
The Golani Brigade arrived and struck one of the terrorists with their jeep, killing him. Another IDF jeep arrived and, as the soldiers got out, the remaining terrorist opened fire wounding several of the soldiers and killing 22 year old Sgt. Moshe Naftali, from Ofra. Soldiers engaged the remaining attacker in a gun battle and the terrorist was killed.
Later, two more terrorists were killed when they opened fire from within Egyptian territory, seriously wounding one IDF soldier. The architect of the attacks was killed in the IDF operation in Rafah. Among those killed were also the planners of the abduction of Gilad Shalit. Camal Nirab was responsible for all Gaza strip military activity, and Imad Hammad, 40, was involved in terrorist activity against the IDF and rocket launching at Israel, as well as in the abduction. Khaled Sha’ath, 32, was involved in military activity against the IDF, and Khaled Matzri, also involved in the abduction. All were senior Hamas military figures deeply involved in hostility towards Israel and the IDF. Brigadier-General (Reserve) Tzvika Fogel ex-head of IDF Southern Command, estimates that one of the terrorist intentions was the abduction of yet more Israelis.
It was reported that the terrorists attacking travelers near Eilat on Thursday were hoping to kidnap an IDF soldier. The pan-Arab station Al-Jazeera had earlier falsely reported that a soldier was kidnapped. Terrorists have made multiple attempts to nab soldiers in recent years, apparently in hope that they could exchange their captive for terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Friday morning one person was killed when a Grad rocket slammed into the gymnasium of a Yeshiva in Ashdod. Since Thursday at least a 150 missiles have hit towns in the southern and coastal areas of Israel
FROM THE RECENT GLENN BECK EVENT IN ISRAEL
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Later, two more terrorists were killed when they opened fire from within Egyptian territory, seriously wounding one IDF soldier. The architect of the attacks was killed in the IDF operation in Rafah. Among those killed were also the planners of the abduction of Gilad Shalit. Camal Nirab was responsible for all Gaza strip military activity, and Imad Hammad, 40, was involved in terrorist activity against the IDF and rocket launching at Israel, as well as in the abduction. Khaled Sha’ath, 32, was involved in military activity against the IDF, and Khaled Matzri, also involved in the abduction. All were senior Hamas military figures deeply involved in hostility towards Israel and the IDF. Brigadier-General (Reserve) Tzvika Fogel ex-head of IDF Southern Command, estimates that one of the terrorist intentions was the abduction of yet more Israelis.
