Missiles strike the north
It appears from this morning's news on my e-mail that we are at war. This morning there were coordinated Katyusha attacks from northern Lebanon. In this morning's wave of attacks, only one woman was killed — a lady eating breakfast on her porch in Nahariya. But the attacks were widespread. According to reports from Arutz Sheva "Dozens of HizbAllah-fired Katyusha rockets struck all over the north."
The rocket attacks began at 7 AM starting with an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) installation at Mount Meron, near Tzfat. No one was hurt, but soon afterwards, four more rockets hit the other side of the Galilee — the coastal city of Nahariya. It was there that the lady was killed. Eleven others were wounded and are being treated in a hospital in Nahariya.
But this was just the beginning. Nahariya was hit again, along with Rosh Pina, Tzfat, Margaliot, Mahanayim, Mahanayim Airport, Beit Hillel, K'far HaNasi, and Mishmar HaYarden. The IDF Northern Command Headquarters was also hit. Ten Katyushas hit Tel Hai between 8 and 9 AM.
Until now Nahariya and Kiryat Shmoneh were always in range of HizbAllah's Katyusha rockets. But it appears that towns further to the south are now in range as well. The IDF estimates that HizbAllah has not yet fired its longest-range Katyushas.
The IDF has requested the hundreds of thousands of residents in the northern part of the country, including the Galilee and the Valley of Jezreel, to enter shelters and re-enforced rooms, but Israelis have largely ignored this request.
Israel responds
This morning, the Israel Air Force hit the Beirut International Airport and Al-Manar terrorist television studios. Apparently, Al-Manar anticipated the attackand moved its broadcasts to an unknown location ahead of time. The air force has also hit dozens of concentrations of HizbAllah rockets in southern Lebanon. Israel Police are on a level-3 alert, just one level below a state of emergency, anticipating a possible attempt by Arab terrorists to attack within the country.
A friend of ours whose son is in the air force has reported that her son is being kept over Shabbat for guard duty. Another person, who packs medical kits for soldiers, has been working overtime over the last two weeks.
Over the course of the night, the targets attacked in Lebanon were a dozen bridges and much of southern Lebanon's highway infrastructure. One strike hit a vehicle in which two HizbAllah terrorists were traveling.
The government has announced that it views Lebanon as responsible for the attacks from within its borders, including the rockets and abduction of the two IDF soldiers.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ben
I fear we are closer to war and conflagration than anyone realises. And I don't see a solution.
2 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Hizbullah: if Israel attacks Beirut, we'll attack Haifa
Roee Nahmias at YNET 07/13/2006 14:37 Ynetnews
According to the al-Jazeera television station, the Hizbullah terrorist organization warned that if Israel dares to attack Beirut or the city's
southern suburbs, it would attack Haifa.
"If Beirut or its suburbs will sustain Israeli attacks, we will attack Haifa," said a statement issued by the organization.
This came by e-mail, courtesy of Dr. Aaron Lerner's fine reportorial service, IMRA.
3 - The Fifth Dentist
Ruvy--
Since you haven't said, I'm curious to know what you think Israel should do at this point? It seems that all the IDF can do is retaliate which doesn't seem to be very effective against these motherfuckers because they don't seem to care if gaza or lebanon is reduced to smoldering ashes. I think they'd actually prefer it that way because it would mobilize more guerilla fighters. I think they'd also like to see another Israeli occupation of southern lebanon because it would make Israeli soldiers easy targets. What's shocking about these arab countries is that there are no grown-ups in a position of authority who respond rationally to an overwheming show of force. So what you do?
4 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
NEWS UPDATE NEWS UPDATE NEWS UPDATE NEWS UPDATE
I had to run an errand this afternoon, so I was away from the computer. I apologize for the lateness of these updates. All this information comes from e-mails. There will be no URL links to these.
This came in first...
My son just called me from Tzefat to tell me he's ok, three rockets hit Tzefat, one near his friend's house, one near the [mostly Arab]
college. Har Meron is covered with white smoke, and the air raid sirens just went off in Tzefat, 8:25 NY time, as we spoke.
I'm just downloading my mail now, stay tuned...
Then this...
Just spoke to my son again (8 AM NY time), SIX rockets hit Tzefat, one by the Metzuda, one in Har Canaan, one in an old age home (?) and
half the building is gone. TWO of his friends SAW the rocket hit the metzuda, the dorm of his old yeshiva is right under it, and his friend called him that he was lying in bed and he saw the rocket and then the whole building shook, and his former madrich (counselor) saw it hit from where he lives, in Canaan, he has a view and saw the rocket and then the explosion. My son doesn't know of the injuries or 2 (?) deaths there, they are in shelters and sirens and helicopters all around.
Following are more reports
From: GH
A katyusha fell outside Akiva & Shoshan's building in Tsfat. They are
OK, THank G-d....
From: Phil:
My brother was visiting my father's grave in Tsfat when the rockets hit. He told me the noise was very loud and the screaming afterwards
was horrific. Ambulances from all over the north are arriving in Tsfat now.
From: harvey tannenbaum
2 dead 21 injured in Tsfat
Haifa residents being asked to prepare bomb shelters
From: devo
Hi, Friend!
I just spoke with the Tzfat Police, and they gave permission for anyone to break into any bomb shelter until the keys arrive. The
keys are supposedly on the way.
All the best,
B
Then this from the Jewish Agency in Tzfat:
Katyusha rocket lands in Jewish Agency Absorption Center in Tzfat
The Jewish Agency for Israel
13 July 2006
Thursday afternoon a Katyusha rocket landed in the complex of the Jewish Agency's "Canaan" Absorption Center in Tzfat.As a result of this rocket attack, a new immigrant from Ethiopia was slightly injured and treated by Magen David Adom first aid services.
Jewish Agency Chairman, Zeev Bielski instructed the directors of all Absorption Centers and Jewish Agency personnel in Northern Israel to insure that all new immigrants remain in secured locations and bomb shelters for their continued safety.
Thi final e-mail combines the text of a Jerusalem Post report, probably from the on-line edition. I might have even quoted from it myself in the original article
5 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
I hit the wrong button. Let's get that final e-mail in now:
From: Sandy
Subject: Safed & all of Israeli's north are under attack!!!!
This is a first for me.....I've always said that no matter what
you hear/see on CNN, things are never that bad, but today I must, sadly, say that no matter what you hear/see on CNN, things here are much worse!!!!
G-d willing this will pass.....
please keep praying for Israel!!!!
Thank you, Sandy
Jul. 13, 2006 14:56 Jerusalem Post
Katyushas fall in Safed, many wounded:
YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF
Seven Katyushas fell in the northern city of Safed on Thursday afternoon. The city's immigration center, [A building identical to
mine, just up the street from us] old marketplace, Safed College [This is Safed's branch of Bar Ilan University and it's Library took a direct hit.....the Library is directly above the school's bomb shelter!!!!]
and the Amit Center (a charitable organization) were hit.
[Just since beginning this e-mail, Safed's main street, the "Midrahov" has also been hit, hard.....the bombs are continuing to hit us now, as you are reading this!!!!]
At least two people were wounded at the immigration center. In all, there were two people seriously wounded from shrapnel, with about a dozen lightly wounded and many more in shock.
MDA teams were treating the wounded at the scene and evacuating in ambulances to the city's Ziv Hospital.
In addition, at least one Katyusha reportedly fell in the nearby town of Hatzor Haglilit. Hospitals throughout the North were ordered to
raise their readiness level to Level Three, the second highest possible. Medical teams were being ordered to remain at their posts
in expectation of continued Katyusha strikes.
Earlier, one woman was killed and 29 were wounded - one seriously - when four Hizbullah-fired Katyusha rockets landed in central Nahariya on Thursday morning. She was killed while sitting on her fifth-floor balcony Thursday morning. A rocket hit a floor above, cut through the ceiling and killed her.
More than 60 katyushas have been fired into northern Israel since Thursday morning.
Magen David Adom reported that dozens were treated for shrapnel wounds and nine for shock.
Many Nahariya residents have begun leaving the city, Israel Radio reported.
A short while later, two Katyusha rockets fell near Kibbutz Hagoshrim. Buildings in the area shook from the impact.
Visitors were refusing to leave the hotel in the kibbutz and reservations were reportedly being canceled.
At Nahariya Hospital, patients were moved to secure rooms on lower floors, and about 60 expectant mothers were taken to underground
shelters, said hospital deputy director Moshe Daniel. He said elective surgery has been halted. `We are on very high alert," Daniel
told Israel Radio. "We are prepared."
Nahariya Mayor Jackie Sabag said the whole town has shut down, with businesses closed. Sabag urged all residents to comply with army orders to stay in underground shelters.
All soldiers serving in Northern Command Headquarters in Safed also went down to shelters due to Katyusha attacks.
Katyushas also fell on Thursday morning in Kfar Nasi in the Galilee and in Kibbutz Mahanayim, signifying an increase in the range of Katyusha rockets to 20-25 kilometers. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the attacks. Hizbullah said that in some of its attacks it was using a rocket called "Thunder 1" for the first time, which may have a longer range than older Katyushas.
So far on Thursday morning alone, there have been confirmed Katyusha attacks on Nahariya, Rosh Pina, Kibbutz Hagoshrim, Kibbutz Mishmar
Hayarden, Gadot, Kfar Nasi, Beit Hillel, Kibbutz Mahanayim, Kibbutz Kabri, Mount Hermon, Netiv Haasarah, Mount Meron, Shlomi, Zar'it.
Earlier Thursday morning, several Katyusha rockets landed on an IDF base in Mount Meron on Thursday morning. No one was wounded and no
damage was reported.
Hizbullah also shelled the Western Galilee with mortars. No one was
wounded and no damage was reported.
"This is a new situation. The residents of Israel need to know that we are going into a period that will require resilience," Minister
Issac Herzog said after the emergency cabinet meeting late Wednesday night.
According to Herzog, Israel is holding Lebanon responsible for the attack, which was carried out from its territory.
AP contributed to this report.
6 - Les Slater
A safe haven for Jews?
7 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Look at this way, Les. If a mob of goyim attack me in Brooklyn and I take out a gun and shoot them, I wind up in court, the judge wags his finger at me, and I wind up in jail, and the goyim laugh up their sleeves at me. So much for a safe haven for Jews in America.
Go to Al Jazeera and read as they whine about how the murderous Zionists have crossed all red lines today.
I'm not happy about all this, but the bastards wanted war, and finally they are getting what they wanted.
Yeah, Les. This is a safe haven for Jews. And if we have to fight for it, so be it. And if we have to die for it, so be it. And remember, I'm no little chickenhawk screaming for someone else to do my fighting for me. I'll have plenty of work this Sunday night on patrol.
And, this, by no means, is the limit that the violence can go to. The Arabs run a distinct danger if they continue rocket attacks on this country. At some point, the populace will decide that enough is enough and begin to slaughter Arabs. And the government will not have the power to stop this if it occurs.
8 - growupisrael
This whole thing sounds a lot like the conquest of the American Indians....pistols vs. bows & arrows. Israel should do what American settlers did...irradicate the entire race with superior weapons. Or......you could just stop attacking them w/ choppers and rockets and f-16's, and defend your people w/ police and economic help. If some rag-tag militants launched a Katyusha rocket (btw, these are real badass compared to anything in the israeli arsenal...lol) from Canada into the U.S., I highly doubt it would be necessary to bomb Canada's civilian airports. One of these two fuck-off nations needs to just stop killing/demolishing....I suggest the one with the more money/power/influence/education.
9 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
This is to the "person of good will" who penned comment #8. Before you make stupid analogies, and armchair recommendations, read your history. YOUR soldiers don't defend us, ours do. If I recommend a strategy and it is adopted here, I have to live wiuth the consequences. You can just shoot your mouth off with your inferior grasp of history - both yours and ours.
And before you even think about opening your trap about Israelis using American arms, understand very clearly that Israelis were pressured by rich American Jews to depend on America's largesse rather than our own intelligence and ingenuity.
As a result, nearly every decent arms deal that OUR arms industry has come up with has been wrecked by the US state department and defense department working in tandem.
10 - Robert
We should not be surprised. If we can hit deep inside Lebanon then there no reason why they can't hit Haifa or Nahariya (from their point of view, of course).
There is no point saying that they hit here and there and everywhere - this is no surprise that they had the capabilities and that they are carrying out their threats.
If the want war then war they will get. But let Nassralla remember this - sooner or later we get to everybody.
I personally am ready for the phone call, if it comes.
11 - Les Slater
Ruvy #7
"And remember, I'm no little chickenhawk screaming for someone else to do my fighting for me."
Many wish you well, but fewer and fewer will be willing to stand with you.
12 - growupisrael
Ruvy -
Im sure you may have a better understanding of the history of Israel. And I truly hope everything will be fine for ALL civilians in Israel/Lebanon/Syria. All im saying is that Israel's solution to the problem is the cause as well. I'm an american. I watch everyday what happens when a country of superior force fights one without. If it weren't so sad that so many civilians die each day it would be a joke. Someone throws a rock, you respond w/ a gun, they shoot a gun, you respond w/ a missile, they fire a missile, you respond w/ airstrikes...this cycle will NEVER end, you're the history buff, how long has it gone on for? And it seems only a matter of time before the ultimate weapon is used to try to end this 2000+ year battle (and even that won't end it). There will always be lunatics in the world (or terrorists, however you want to term it). I just feel that the best solution to this problem is the exact opposite of the one Israel has chosen to take. BTW, i feel the same way about the USA's decisions to solve the world's problems.
13 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Les,
In the end, Israel will stand alone. That is not because I may be obnoxious, though I may seem that way, but because it is written in Torah.
My ideas have nothing to do with it..
14 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
And now, for more news...
Haifa, Nahariya hit by Hizbullah
Rocket lands in Haifa; 6 rockets hit central Nahariya as President Moshe
Katsav tours city; At least 3 people reported injured in attack, police say;
dozens suffer
Ahiya Raved YNET 13 July 2006
A Katyusha rocket fired from Lebanon exploded in the northern city of Haifa
on Thursday evening, officials said.
Earlier, six Katyusha rockets exploded in central Nahariya on Thursday
evening as President Moshe Katsav toured the northern town.
At least seven people were lightly injured by a rocket that hit a building
on Herzel street, including two who suffered smoke inhalation, police and
paramedics said. Dozens of residents were treated for shock.
Smoke was billowing from the building but firefighters contained the fire
and searched for people injured or trapped.
The other rockets hit an electricity pole and a car.
Monica Lerrer, 40, died Thursday morning when a Katiyusha exploded in a
building in the city.
Some 90 people were injured, including one seriously, in rocket attacks on
the city.
Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to this report
(07.13.06, 19:55)
15 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
After the attack on Haifa, this;
Received from Harvey Tannenbaum
Netanya residents being asked to prepare bomb shelters tonight
16 - troll
shit
17 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
I just thought I'd posit a few thoughts here. I've tried to provide news for you about this sudden conflict the same way I got it when the 2nd Arab revolt broke out right after Rosh haShana in 2000.
A lot of the news you see on CNN is sensationalized - but when someone writes about not being able to get home because of Arabs throwing rocks at cars or writes of soldiers lying prone outside the house firing at the Arab village across the hill from Beitar Illit while they recite psalms, you get a feel for war.
If anyone wants to understand what it feels like to hear about a terror attack in a different city, read Mayank's excellent piece on Delhi Journal dealing with the reactions to the Mumbai attack on 12 July. I could sense many of the same things that happened in New Delhi when we hear about a terrorist attack here.
I hope I've succeeded in providing more than mere news roundups. Life is more than a mere news roundup.
18 - Phillip Winn
Ruvy, thanks for these report. Please keep them coming, and I'm praying for you and your family to be safe.
19 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
This is my final posting for the night, unless something really big happens here.
Judy Lash Balint is a Seattle born writer who has been collecting essays for the last six years and publishing them under the title Jerusalem Diaries, which every now and again are collected into books under the same name.
These two items come from her, and convey what is going on in this country remarkably well.
===================================================
Copyright © Judy Lash Balint, 2006
As we file these stories, Haifa is under Katyusha attack. The rockets rained down on Tsfat this afternoon, causing several serious injuries,
and neighboring Rosh Pina and Hatzor Haglalit were hit too.
Our first report comes from Gershom May in Hatzor Haglilit, who describes the two Katyusha hits this afternoon. Our second report is from Jerusalemite Kate Willner, who describes the atmosphere at her
hi-tech office in the Har Hotzvim technical park in Jerusalem since the war started:
Both Gershom and Kate are immigrants from Seattle, WA
----------------------
From: Gershom May, Hatzor Haglili
We were awakened by a call from our friends in Seattle this morning. They were in a panic to know if we were OK. They'd already heard about
the katyushas falling in Rosh Pina, the town right next door to us. We were stunned. We'd not even heard them impact. So, we were caught
off guard.
But we assured them. All is well with us. So, even after the Rosh Pina katyusha, for us in Hatzor it was business as usual. Everyone casually going about their business. Hoping that the local Supermarket wasn't out of their favorite
products. Some were stocking up. Just in case. And others were doing their normal pre-Shabbat shopping.
Things were still calm until just after 1 p.m,. Suddenly, there was a sudden sound of Poom, poompoom, poompoom, poom, poom. With the
accompanying concussion shudders of Katyushas landing up on the hill toward Safed/Tzfat.
Then, about 5 minutes later, though in broad day light, the first wake up call came in Hatzor.
Just a few meters above the ancient site of the Tomb of Honay HaMa'agel. The first Katyusha landed with a loud and ominous BOOM, followed by a thud, and then, the shudder of the concussion
reverberated across, and down the hillside right into Hatzor.
I was working on the porch doing a welding project. Most people either ran to the streets, or those that lived on higher floors flocked to their windows to watch the smoke that began
billowing up from the hillside. Then we saw the accompanying fire in the tinder dry grass, and trees. The spotter planes that have been circling Hatzor since yesterday quickly focused in, and circled around the impact area.
Many people had coffee cups in one hand, and a cell phone in the other. Some gleefully telling friends and relatives what they were witnessing. And, it was exciting. Many were either excitedly talking with neighbors and pointing toward
the hillside impact area. Or, they were on the phone seeking a place to go down South.
Yet others were answering frantic phone calls. Like my neighbor who received a call from her daughter in Tel-Aviv telling them to please
run away and come to them.
The neighbor up and across the path decided for them. The best thing to do, was to go to the Kinneret, just a few miles south of here, and
go swimming. I watched as they went up the steps carrying their picnic supplies, blankets, and gear. Headed for their car.
Then, the second Katushyah hit on the hillside. SUDDENLY, there was a sense of urgency in the air.
Shortly thereafter, there was a huge increase in the traffic into Hatzor.
Some began opening up long unused bomb shelters. Unfortunately, some had been turned into someone's private storage space. Still other neighbors were gathering to watch the hillside. And wondering if they will get to see a Ketushyah actually land!
Others were also trying to catch a glimpse of the news on Television.
Or listen on the radio.
Our almost totally blind friend called in near panic. She had just moved, and she had no idea where the bomb shelter is in her neighborhood. And, there is no program in place to help the
disabled in emergencies.
She paniced even more when she was late getting home. No one would talk to her except my wife who got her to calm down and seek out the neighbors for help.
I checked out the shelter that our neighbor said was for us. It was already being filled to capacity.
Our blind friend called at 4 p.m and told us that her brother had been able to talk his way through the police barrier coming into town and she was leaving with him.
I went to daven Minhah (afternoon prayers).
As we ended Minhah, the police were driving through the streets announcing that everyone was ordered into the bomb shelter. I checked with our neighbor who has the local shelter turned into
their storage space and asked If we can go in with them.
They said, sure. They were trying to get out of Hatzor, and go to Tel-Aviv. We were welcome to the shelter.
We've prepared a large backpack of goodies, water, my Siddur/Tefillin, etc.. Now, we're sitting here, with some of our other neighbors trying to
decide if we should actually go into the shelter.
Decisions,decisons.
From: Gershom May, Hatzor Haglilit
-----------------------------------------
From Jerusalem: By Kate Willner
Things were suddenly different at work yesterday. The news had gone around like a brush fire about the attack by Lebanon; our men killed, and the powerful military retaliation from Israel. The young men here are usually relaxed and in good humor, but yesterday they were...well, I don't know exactly, just different. I noticed there wasn't much of the usual joking around.
The young man next to me was staring pensively off into space at one point, and commented to no one in particular that he wondered when his reserve unit would be called up. I looked around at our 11 person team--8 men, 3 women. At least 6 of the men are under the age of 45. I imagined how our work space would sound and feel without their wonderful masculine presence--it would be real hollow.
Things were different today at work, too. I entered the building through those tall glass doors into the lobby[it's huge; glass-walled
on one side and ceilings that must be at least 2 stories tall], & I was surprised to see the usually near-empty area crowded with men, all
facing the direction of the Kotel and praying.
There were no smells of food from the cafeteria that is just off the lobby--it's a fast day marking the beginning of the Three Weeks before
Tisha B'Av. There was just the wind whipping energetically through when the outside doors were opened, and the soft intoning of prayers.
The feeling I got from weaving my way through the praying men is similar to the feeling of having our soldiers in the streets with their Uzi's--it feels safe, just in a different way. I am so glad I made Aliyah...every Jew should be able to have the experience of every day life with people praying on city buses and in the lobby of their
place of work. My company is providing bagels to break the fast tonight, as well.
From: Kate Willner, Jerusalem:
20 - Howard Dratch
Ruvy. I don't always agree with your politics. No matter. Your reports are helpful and I am trying to contact my cousin and his family who are neighbors of yours.
Stay safe. Stay free. Fight if you must -- and win!
Keep posting.
21 - concerned believer
Thank you for your postings Ruvy. Please keep them coming.
22 - bernese
Dear Ruvy
With everything going on right now in your country I had to check and see how you were doing. I hope you and your family are fine. I do have a question about your article. I don't understand how you can say that America is not an allie of your country. It was Russia,France and China who went to the UN and demanded that they made your people stop defending themselves. It was the United States who vetoed this. I just don't understand why you are so anti-Amercican when are the best allies you have. Best wishes and stay safe.
23 - JP
Thanks Ruvy for the summary, and glad to see you're OK ..
24 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Bernese,
First of all, thank you for you kind wishes.
I was looking at e-mails this morning, and wanted to see if you could understand why I hold America's government in less than high esteem this article at Reuters holds a clue for you. As a matter of strategic necessity, this country needs to make it impossible for HizbAllah to attack it. The IDF has finally woken up to this reality. "Restraint" will not do in HizbAllah or convince the Lebanese or Syrian governments to stop backing it. But Sec'ty of State Rice, who personally has placed Mahmoud Abbas under her protection, wants just this from US. It is unrestrained, but disciplined ferocity that will remind HizbAllah and all who support her that this country will not roll over and play dead.
Unfortunately all of Hitler's 'ghosts' need reminding of this from time to time.
25 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Howard, thank you for your kind wishes. If your cousin has a computer, feel free to look up my e-mail address from my blogsite and forward it. I'd love to hear from them.
JP, Phil, concerned believer - thank you all for your kind wishes.
Robert, if you are writing from Israel, take note thqat the streets are a little emptier today, and that the kids with the M16's are not sitting on busses, joking about going home...