WarSclerotic

IDF strikes Gaza Strip; thwarts attempt to launch rocket at Israel – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

Palestinians report one casualty in Israeli strike; Israel Defense Forces reports direct hit on terrorist cell preparing to launch rocket at Israel.

By Jack Khoury

Israel Defense Forces aircraft struck targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, thwarting an attempt by Islamic Jihad to launch a rocket into Israel. According to Palestinian sources, the strike killed one man.

Saturday’s strike came after a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into the Ashkelon Regional Council on Friday night, in which no one was wounded.

	An airstrike on Gaza.
	Photo by: AP

The IDF reported a direct hit in Saturday’s airstrike, on a terrorist cell that was in the final stages of preparing to shoot a missile into Israel using a high-trajectory weapon.

Palestinian sources said one man had been killed in the strike, east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The sources also said Israeli aircraft shot three missiles into agricultural area within the Gaza Strip.

Saturday’s air strike was the third such incident since the escalation of rocket fire last week. On Thursday, Palestinian militants fired at Israeli security forces near the Gaza border, and the IDF retaliated by firing at the source of the shooting, killing two.

The IDF estimates that the Islamic Jihad is not interested in another escalation, despite that members of the organization continue attempting to fire rockets into Israel.

U.S. Keeps Focus On Sanctions For Iran, Amid Speculation Over Israeli Strike | Fox News.

BBC News – UN report ‘to expose Iran nuclear weapons programme’.

The UN’s atomic watchdog is planning to reveal evidence that Iran has been working secretly to develop a nuclear weapons capability, diplomats say.

The evidence is said to include intelligence that Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead.

Iranian officials say the International Atomic Energy Agency report, due next week, is a fabrication.

Israeli officials have said a military option to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons is drawing nearer.

Diplomats, speaking anonymously, have been briefing journalists on the IAEA’s next quarterly report on Iran.

They said the report would also include satellite images of what the IAEA believes is a large steel container used for high-explosives tests related to nuclear arms.

Iran says that its nuclear programme is exclusively to generate power for civilian purposes.

But the IAEA has reported for some years that there are unresolved questions about its programme and has sought clarification of Iran’s secretive nuclear activities.

Of next week’s report, one Western diplomat told Reuters news agency: “There are bits of it which clearly can only be for clandestine nuclear purposes. It is a compelling case.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the alleged evidence was a fabrication and part of a multi-pronged US smear campaign against his country.

‘Ticking clock’

Israeli President Shimon Peres, when asked by Israeli television if “something was bringing us closer to a military option rather than a diplomatic one”, he replied: “I believe so.”

He continued: “I estimate that intelligence services of all these countries are looking at the ticking clock, warning leaders that there was not much time left.

“Iran is nearing atomic weapons and in the time left we must turn to the world’s nations and demand [they] fulfil their promise… which is not merely passing sanctions. What needs to be done must be done and there is a long list of options.”

Analysts say they believe Iran may still be several years away from having nuclear weapons.

‘Israel, U.S. to embark on largest joint exercise in allies’ history’ – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

(Talk about your “message”  to Iran, wow… – JW)

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro says security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper, more intense than ever before.

By Natasha Mozgovaya

Israel and the U.S. will embark on the “largest” and “most significant” joint exercise in the allies’ history, said Andrew Shapiro, U.S. assistant secretary for political-military affairs, on Saturday.

Speaking to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Shapiro said the exercise will involve more than 5,000 U.S. and Israeli forces, and will simulate Israel’s ballistic missile defense.

	Andrew Shapiro: Discussions that I participate in are very security-focused. The leak issue has not been my experience. It comes down to the fundamental diplomacy.”
	Photo by: Natasha Mozgovaya

“Joint exercises allow us to learn from Israel’s experience in urban warfare and counterterrorism,” said Shapiro.

“Israeli technology is proving critical to improving our Homeland Security and protecting our troops,” added Shapira, who explained that Israeli armor plating technology and the specially designed “Israeli bandage”, being used on American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, are proven successes.

In addition, he said, Israel will soon gain access to an expedited Congressional Notification process, which will allow for faster trade of smaller, routine sales and purchases of arms between the allies. Countries already subject to expedited Congressional Notification processes are NATO members, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Shapiro emphasized the Obama Administration’s support for Israel, despite comments by a senior U.S. official on Friday, who expressed concern that Israel would not warn the U.S. before taking military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“Our security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper and more intense than ever before,” said Shapiro, adding that Israel’s military edge was a “top priority” for himself, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Barak Obama.

The U.S. has $3 billion per year commitment to Israel, which Shapiro said the Obama Administration would continue to honor over the next ten years, “even in challenging budgetary times”.

Speaking of the economic impact, Shapira said it was important to note that U.S. security assistance to Israel helps support American jobs, since the “vast majority of security assistance” is spent on American-made goods and services. “We don’t provide assistance out of charity. We provide assistance because it benefits our security.”

“We support Israel because it is in our national interests to do so,” said Shapiro, echoing the recent report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, entitled, “Israel: A Strategic Asset for the United States”, which argues that Israel is a strategic asset to the U.S. “If Israel were weaker, its enemies would be bolder. This would make broader conflict more likely, which would be catastrophic to American interests in the region. It is the very strength of Israel’s military which deters potential aggressors and helps foster peace and stability.”

Dichter: Israel should recapture Gaza, dismant… JPost – Defense.

    Former Shin Bet Director Avi Dichter said Saturday that Israel should recapture the Gaza Strip, Army Radio reported.

According to Dichter, Israel needs to retake control of the strip for a period of several years in order to vanquish terror organizations.
An operation on the order of 2008’s cast lead would not be sufficient, Dichter said.

Last week, terrorist organizations in the Gaza strip launched over 40 rockets onto Israeli towns in the South, killing one civilian.

Al Arabiya

Arab League urges Syria to implement Arab plan …, posted with vodpod

The Arab League chief on Saturday urged Syria to implement a plan it had agreed with Arab states to put an end of deadly violence against pro-democracy protesters by withdrawing troops from the streets and starting dialogue with the opposition.

League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby, in a statement, expressed his “serious worry over the continuing violence” in Syria and “appealed to the Syrian government over the need to take immediate steps to protect civilians.”

‘Shahab-3 missile no cause for concern’ – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Missile expert Uzi Rubin says Iranian long-range missiles, which can hit national infrastructures due to their high precision, pose no threat to Israel; can be intercepted in the air by Arrow 3 missiles

Yoav Zitun

While senior security establishment officials vehemently warn against the ramifications of a military strike in Iran, missile expert Uzi Rubin, who was on the team that developed the Arrow missile defense system, says there is no cause for concern.

Despite the Iranian Shahab-3missiles’ precision, he explained, “A missile salvo from Iran will be intercepted in the air by Arrow missiles.

“Iran has between 300 and 400 Shahab-3 ground missiles that it can fire at Israel,” Rubin told Ynet, adding that the Iranians have managed to significantly improve the missile’s precision “from a marked target that could spread across a few kilometers to just a few hundred meters.”

This, Rubin noted, will enable them to potentially hit national infrastructures.

  Last week, the Defense Ministry confirmed that “a prescheduled test of a rocketpropulsion system was conducted out of the Palmachim Airbase,” but offered no further details.

Foreign media reports suggested that Israel might have tested its surface-to-surface Jericho missiles. The report was neither confirmed nor denied by the Defense Ministry.

In recent years, Israel has accelerated the development of the Arrow 3 missile defense system, designed to thwart long-range missiles. The advanced missile is slated to make its debut at the middle of next year.

Iran demands UN censure of Israel, US ‘threats’ – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Islamic Republic urges UN to officially denounce Washington, Jerusalem over their reported threats to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities; say such statements ‘violate international law’

Ynet

Iran on Saturday lashed out at the US and Israel over their reported threats against Tehran, saying that the “military threats are a blatant violation of international law.”

“The threats by the US and Israel violate the international laws,” Iranian Ambassador to Uruguay Hojjatollah Soltani told the Fars news agency, adding that all international organizations, including the UN, must condemn the belligerent rhetoric.

“The UN by condemning the US and Israeli threats should prove to the world that it really belongs to all countries and nations and is not controlled by a few specific countries,” he said.

Tensions between the West and Iran are growing, over the latter’s refusal to heed to IAEA regulations or the West’s demands that is suspend its nuclear work.

Iran claims its nuclear program serves civilian interest, but it is widely believed that Tehran’s atomic efforts are of a military nature.

Recent weeks have been riddled with reports concerning a possible strike against Iran, whose obstinacy is wearing the West’s patience thin. Iran in return, has warned that any strike – especially one mounted by Israel – would meet a “brutal response.”

The United States has also always stressed that military action is a main option for the White House. A US military official has been quoted over the weekend as saying that “the biggest threat to the United States and to our interests and to our friends in the region… is Iran.”

Iran has warned it could close the Strait of Hormoz which is of great strategic importance, being the entrance to the Persian Gulf waterway.

Meanwhile, the IAEA is poised to release its latest report on Iran, which sourced privy to its draft say concluded that the Islamic Republic has made computer models of a nuclear warhead.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Saturday that the evidence which the UN plans to release was “a fabrication.”

Salehi said that the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency had given in to US pressure to level accusations against Tehran.

“The Americans raised documents like this in the past: the Niger scandal”, he said, in reference to claims made prior to the 2003 Iraq war, based on a forgery, that Baghdad had sought uranium from Niger.

‘Keep Gaza lull, or Israel will attack’ – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Egyptian official says escalation and rocket fire toward Israeli cities could prompt wide military offensive in the Strip; says Cairo’s ability to thwart operation limited

Elior Levy

UN report on Iran nuclear program a fabrication, says FM – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

UN atomic agency plans to reveal intelligence next week suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead, as well as other previously undisclosed details on alleged secret work by Tehran on nuclear arms.

By The Associated Press

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that evidence which the UN reportedly plans to release showing alleged Iranian work on nuclear weapons is a fabrication.

Diplomats have told The Associated Press that the UN atomic agency plans to reveal intelligence next week suggesting Iran made computer models of a nuclear warhead, as well as other previously undisclosed details on alleged secret work by Tehran on nuclear arms.

	Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, after unveiling uranium centrifuge in Tehran on April 9, 2010.
	Photo by: AP

But Salehi during a press conference in Tehran Saturday said that the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency had given in to U.S.¬pressure to level accusations against Tehran.

“The Americans raised documents like this in the past: the Niger scandal”, he said, in reference to claims made prior to the 2003 Iraq war, based on a forgery, that Baghdad had sought uranium from Niger.

Israeli and western media have increased speculation in recent days that Israel might launch a strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. Some analysts say that, rather than any firm evidence military action is imminent, the chatter reflects efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on Tehran.

Salehi said Iran did not fear possible revelations in a report to be issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday that western diplomats say will make a  “compelling case” the Iranian nuclear program is not entirely peaceful.

“They are claiming that they are going to publish new documents. We know what the truth is – let them publish them and we’ll see what happens. Will they not be called into question as an agency that is under pressure by foreign powers?” Salehi said.

The IAEA report is an “attack from the West against Iran … just an assault to pressure Iran into subjugation,” he said.