Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Life Goes On #3: IDF News Roundup



Hundreds Graduate From Officers Course

By Amir Kidon, IDF Spokesperson

Hundreds of officers in training, accompanied by their families, filled the IDF Officers School Training Base 1 Parade Field in southern Israel.

The assembly was held in honor of the completion of the Officer Orientation Course and was attended by the Chief Adjutancy Officer, Brigadier General Orna Barbebai, and the Base Commander, Colonel Nadav Paden.

For years, the cadets of the military training base have carried their unit's banner with pride, shoulders erect, head held high, all walking towards the sign proudly reading "Emulate Me." The officers in training read the immortal saying and internalize its significant meaning. "The Officer School prepares its students for the long journey ahead. The magnitude of that journey greatly motivates and guides us. Although, you, the graduates, are leaving the IDF Officer School Training Base 1 today, the school will always remain within your hearts", said the Base Commander, Colonel Paden, to the cadets during the conference.

"I always say that the most talented Israeli youth are found here, in this parade field," said Chief Warrant Officer Yitzchak Taito who is perhaps the figure most identified with the IDF Officers School and who has overseen the education of tens of thousands of officers over forty years time. Although already attending the course's graduation ceremony for many years, Chief Warrant Officer Taito still holds strong feelings for this annual ceremony. "Each officers training course has its specific participants and its specific merit. I still get excited before each and every ceremony. If I didn't, I would start to worry." When asked by a journalist looking for a scoop when he plans on leaving the Officers School, the Major answered with a smile, "That's classified."

Following the ceremony the cadets will be sent to a specialty course where they will learn subjects pertaining to the units in which they will eventually command. This course will last a number of months and upon completion the cadets will receive their officer's ranks.

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During the night IDF forces arrested 6 wanted Palestinians in the region of Judea and Samaria, 4 of them are Islamic Jihad terror operatives. Palestinians hurled several explosive devices and opened fire twice at an IDF force operatng in the Jenin R.C. No injuries or damage reported

Source: IDF

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Wanted "Tanzim" terrorist involved in shooting attacks arrested

A wanted "Tanzim" terrorist, who was involved in numerous shooting attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces in recent years in the area of Ramallah, was arrested this afternoon in a joint IDF, ISA and special Police force operation in the city of Ramallah.

The wanted terrorist is Naji Jamal Nazmi Arar, a 26 year-old resident of the village of Qarawat Bani Zeid, north of Ramallah.

Naji Arar has been hiding out from Israeli forces in several official Palestinian Authority facilities in Ramallah and has been receiving their support and assistance.

An AK-47 assault rifle was uncovered in Arar's vehicle by the force today.

The Israeli security forces will continue to operate in order to arrest
wanted terrorists involved in terrorist activity wherever they are located
at any time.

Source: Security Sources & IDF

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A total of some 98 wanted terrorists were arrested this past week in joint operations of the IDF and ISA.

The arrests come as the IDF and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories prepare for the upcoming Christian holidays which take place during the
month of May, St. Joseph the Workman Day, the Ascension and the Pentecost

During this period thousands of Christians from the Judea and Samaria region are expected to visit Holy sites throughout Israel such as Jerusalem, Nazareth, Haifa and Tiberias in order to participate in the various religious ceremonies.

Every effort is being made in order to allow quick, comfortable and efficient passage through the checkpoints for the celebrating Christian population.

* Six wanted Islamic Jihad terrorists were detained by the IDF in the Gaza Strip.

* Seven men suspected of terrorist activity (Islamic Jihad and Tanzim) were arrested at the Jenin refugee camp. During the mission, IDF soldiers were fired upon and explosive devices were hurled in their direction.

* One arrest was made in Kalkilya and another 14 in Shchem where IDF troops found a bomb ready to be sent into an Israeli city. The explosive device was destroyed safely in a controlled explosion by IDF sappers.

* In Ramallah, a number of Hamas and Fatah terrorists were nabbed and in Bethlehem two Islamic Jihad members were caught, three Hamas members and two unafilliated
fugitives.

* Hebron - 23 fugitives were apprehended.

Source: IDF & Security Services

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On Monday, April 30, 2007 the Israeli Air Force (IAF) held a massive training exercise in the skies above the country.

The exercise concluded on Tuesday, May 1st 2007.

During the exercise, IAF aircraft were seen flying low, aircraft noise and warning sirens were heard and large numbers of rescue vehicles were seen on the roads near IDF bases. Citizens in affected areas were prepared for the events with notices to prevent panic.

As a part of the implementation of the lessons learned following the second
Lebanon war, the IDF has defined the year 2007 as the year of preparedness
and readiness. As a part of this year's work plan, a series of IDF exercises
are being held, for the purpose of raising the IDF's preparedness and
training the forces for any possible scenario.

Source: IDF

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