Unfortunately, the events in and around Gaza today, Wednesday, were not part of the nationwide preparedness exercise, but real events which R”L claimed three lives, leaving others wounded. Below is the YWN comprehensive report on the Wednesday attacks:

GOLANI BRIGADE SOLDIER FALLS IN THE LINE OF DUTY

The day began in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza, during the pre-dawn hours, where soldiers from the elite Golani Brigade Sayeret Egoz unit were operating as Israel continues counter-terrorist operations.

Unfortunately, the terrorists were waiting in ambush, detecting the force, opening fire before the soldiers realized their presence. As a result of the gunfire, Staff-Sergeant Sayef Bissan, 21, of the Druse Galil community of Jat was killed. Two other soldiers were wounded, lightly and moderately. They were transported by military chopper to the trauma unit of Beersheva’s Soroka Hospital. St.-Sgt. Bissan was laid to rest in his home community at 6PM Wednesday.

EGYPTIAN FORCES MOVE TO ALERT ALONG RAFIAH BORDER

On the southern border between Gaza and Sinai, Egyptian forces moved to heightened alert status after Hamas announced residents of Gaza are unwilling to continue enduring life under embargo and they will soon break the borders, both the southern border to Egypt and northern border to Israel.

TERROR STRIKES NACHAL OZ FUEL TERMINAL

Shortly after 3PM local time, four-to-five terrorists opened fire at civilian security personnel in the Nachal Oz fuel depot, located in northern Gaza near Kibbutz Nachal Oz, not far from Karnei Crossing.

The attack began with mortar shells falling in the kibbutz area, too commonplace an occurrence to prompt anyone into thinking that the shells were a smoke screen, most likely permitting the terrorists to make their way to the northern terminal from Sajayieh undetected, a PA village located a few hundreds meters (yards) away. In a related matter, there were reports of property damage in the kibbutz as a result of the mortar fire.

In the meantime, the terrorists were undetected by military observers overseeing the area, permitting them to use the massive concrete abutments in the terminal to their advantage, providing them with cover while they continued firing at their targets.

The terminal is operated by the Dor Energy Company, a location of significant importance, providing fuel and gas to the Palestinian Authority.

PARAMEDICS WERE TOO LATE TO RESUSCITATE VICTIMS

MDA paramedic Avi Taiger explained the two victims, in their 30s, were shot multiple times and unfortunately, there was nothing to be done in the way of resuscitation efforts. He and his partner then extricated themselves from the area, in which exchanges of gunfire were still ongoing. They medics’ response was delayed due to the ongoing gunfire and mortar shells, perhaps contributing to the bleak outcome on the scene.

Taiger stated it is a most difficult situation, when you arrive and know there are victims in need of care but the ongoing gunfire and reality of the situation does not permit you to do what you trained to do.

Two of the terrorists were eliminated, apparently by tank fire. Others made their way back to Gaza. It was first feared they may have infiltrated Nachal Oz but it was soon learned this was not the case.

As is standard operating procedure, shortly after understanding an attack was taking place at the depot, Nachal Oz residents were ordered to remain in their homes until the army established the area was secure.

THE AIR FORCE GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE

Following the attack, the air force began working to track down the terrorists who succeeded in fleeing the area. Air-to-surface gunfire was directed at a vehicle traveling in the Zeitoun area of Gaza, killing two occupants, reportedly terrorists connected to the murderous attack.

TERRORISTS BOAST RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTACK

Three terror organization boasted responsibility for the fatal attack, including PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) Fatah organization, [the Mujadeen faction of the Al-Aqsa Brigade], as well as the Al-Quds Brigade of Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committee Salah a-Din faction.

From Israel’s point of view, Hamas is to blame and senior government officials released standard statement that Hamas “will pay the price and those responsible will be apprehended.”

TERRORISTS PLANNED A MORE SERIOUS ATTACK

There were reports that fuel tanks may have been set ablaze as well as other damage to the terminal, which these days serves to provide humanitarian aid to PA resident. At the time of this report, the damage assessment is not available.

Officials in a primary assessment of the attack are certain the terrorists planned a much larger “qualitative” scenario involving an infiltration into Nachal Oz, or the taking of hostages and/or abducting captives back into Hamas-controlled Gaza.

REACTIONS EHUD BARAK:

Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated Israel will fulfill her responsibility to provide security to her residents. “Israel will do everything to ensure quiet in the area,” elaborating counter-terror operations would continue towards achieving this goal.

REACTIONS – GIDEON EZRA

Minister of Environmental Affairs Gideon Ezra, a retired senior intelligence community official, stated “we are at war and we cannot permit life to continue as usual,” calling for a harder-hand policy to halt Gaza-based terror.

REACTIONS – ZE’EV ELKIN

Mk (Kadima) Ze’ev Elkin stated the latest attack brings yet another proof that Israel must adopt a harder line policy and military forces must be sent into Gaza.

REACTIONS – MK EFFIE EITAM

MK Effie Eitam (National Union-NRP), a retired IDF brigadier-general, expressed his growing anger and frustration over the ineptitude of the current Olmert-led administration.

Eitan directed comments to residents of Nachal Oz and other area communities, stating that “there is a solution. We can provide security,” adding the IDF is equipped and capable of doing that which needs to be done but their hands are tied by the politicians, the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Eitam added the good-will gestures, compromise, entering Gaza and leaving a few days later, implementing a fuel boycott and ending it 48 hours later under international pressure all contribute to Hamas’ popularity among Gaza residents, all serve to further diminish Israel’s deterrence abilities, and all serve to encourage future terror. Israel’s “confused messages and policies” he stated are a significant factor towards the unacceptable situation that exists today.

Eitam called for the total eradication of anyone in Gaza connected to terror and the leveling of all buildings serving the current Hamas-led administration. He stated PA Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah and others must be killed, along with anyone funding, supporting and encouraging attacks, including spiritual leaders in Gaza.

The former IDF senior officer stated that unfortunately, until the current Israeli administration is changed for a viable government, the situation may continue to deteriorate.

Eitam stated that water should be supplied to the PA and nothing else, not fuel to start cars or supply electricity – absolutely nothing “until Hamas crumbles out of existence.”

REACTIONS – ARYEH MEKEL

Foreign Ministry spokesman Aryeh Mekel released a statement shortly following the attack that Israel will continue supplying humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza.

REACTIONS – MARK REGEV

Government spokesman Mark Regev stated Israel views Hamas as responsible and the “Hamas will pay the price” for the latest attack.

REACTIONS – RAN COHEN

MK (Meretz) Ran Cohen condemned the murders of the two innocent Israelis, calling upon the PA to “rid themselves” of terror. He then turned to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, calling for restraint to avoid an escalation of warfare.

REACTIONS – ARYEH ELDAD

MK (National Union-NRP) Prof. Aryeh Eldad stated the attack today is nothing less than a direct result of the expulsion of Gaza’s Jewish community in 2005 as well as the result of the irresponsible policies of the prime minister, defense minister and foreign minister.

A DAY OF TERROR ALERTS

Elsewhere in Israel, heightened security was the scene — in Jerusalem, Lod, Highway 443 and Gush Etzion, with security agencies acting on credible intelligence information of planned terror attacks. Details to appear in subsequent YWN articles.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)