News Updates - 7/16/06
6:41 PM: More highlights: (According to Channel 2's analysts, this is not a "normal" Nasrallah speech.)
"All that Israel has hit has been civilian targets. We have only hit military targets."
"We had no choice but to bomb Haifa."
"We will do whatever it takes to protect and defend our people."
6:28 PM: Channel 2 is currently showing and simultaneously translating Nasrallah's broadcast. Highlights:
"The world now understands what's happening in Lebanon."
"Our fighters are prepared to fight."
"We are awaiting an attack by tanks and troops."
"We showed how he can surprise, and we came through with our surprises."
"We are planning to rebuild what has been and what will be destroyed."
"It's possible to hang a lot of hope on the Lebanese people."
"Rumors that an Egyptian ship sank is all part of the Zionist lies."
"There are no Iranian soldiers helping Hezbollah. They are all Lebanese."
"We are not asking for any-one to come and assist us. We don't need any help. We're fine. We're doing fine. We inflict injury only with the hand and by the help of Allah."
"Foreign Ministers of the Arab world have admitted that they're helpless."
"Today, the Arab has a chance to unite [against the Zionists]."
"We are the arrow-head."
"We are giving the example of how to defeat the enemy."
"This is a battle of the entire Arab nation, not just Lebanon."
Katyushas are falling in Metula. No reported injuries.
6:01 PM: Jpost is reporting that Palestinians threw stones at a bus travelling on the road just south of Nablus.
According to Shin-Bet sources, kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit is still alive.
Israeli police arrested an Al-Jazeera crew that was caught broadcasting live footage of the location of this morning's Haifa attacks, which violates military censorship rules. They were told not to broadcast live during the attack, but they continued to broadcast.
The IDF has called up another IDF infantry reserve disivision in preparation for a possible ground assault in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli was injured when stones were thrown at him near Azun, which is just east of Kalkilya.
5:31 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that, as of now, at least 1,040 Katyusha rockets and mortars have falled in Israel, at least 60 since this morning.
Nasrallah is expected to make a public statement soon.
Today is the first time in decades that a Katyusha rocket has fallen in the Golan Heights.
3:47 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that residents of southern Lebanon have begun to leave their homes in response to the IDF's warning to evacuate prior to Israel's offensive in the area.
Katyushas continue to fall in the areas of Ramat Ha'Golan, Nehariya, and Shvei Tzion. No injuries are reported.
3:23 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that the Israeli Chief of Staff, General Dan Halutz, is confirming that the rocket that landed in Haifa earlier this morning was a Syrian-made missile as Minister Mofaz had asserted.
An-Manwar (sp?) television, Hezbollah's flag-ship station, is now experiencing severe technical difficulties, indicating that IAF planes were successful in elimating their sattelite feed. If this is true, it is directly in contrast to the station's foreign editor that informed BBC World that they had prepared contingincies to handle Israel's attacks on the station, and they would be able to continue broadcasting as usual.
3:14 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that one of Nasrallah's commanders has been injured in the attack on southern Lebanon
Arutz 7 is reporting that the General of the IDF Spokesperson Unit is denying reports that Nasrallah is injured.
The General Commander of Hom-front Command has released a statement informing Tel-Aviv residents that they will receive a one minute warning in the event a missile is launched in the Gush Dan region.
Jpost is reporting that IDF soldiers prevented a Palestinian from stabbing them. The man was running at the Hebron check-point with a knife, in the direction of the soldiers. He is now in Shin-Bet custody.
In the Shomron area, an Armored Personal Carrier flipped over, injurying 3 soldiers; one seriously and two lightly.
2:19 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that more than 50 Katyushas have fallen in less than 12 hours (This number is a bit misleading. Hezbollah has not fired many rockets at night. Therefore, it must be understood that the majority of these rockets have been fired since the early morning hours.)
Several Katyushas have fallen in the Carmel region.
For any interested in being aware of the areas under alert by the IDF Home-front Command, please visit this site:
Home-Front Command
2:12 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that Katyushas continue to fall in Nahariya, Shavei Tzion, and other sorrounding areas.
Jpost is reporting that the bodies of the other 3 sailers that had been missing after in Friday night's attacks have been found and postively identified. They are, L.-Rtg. Shai Atias, 19, from Rishon Lezion; Fourth Petty Officer Yaniv Hershkovitz, 21, from Haifa; and First Petty Officer Dov Shtierenshos, 37, from Karmiel. Tal Amgar, 21, was found early yesterday after-noon.
1:51 PM: Arutz 7 is reporting that people fleeing the north to get to safer locations and escape rocket fire will be given a special refugee status and are being accepted into central and southern communities.
The new report, with this morning's attacks is that over 600 people have been injured since the start of fighting on Wednesday.
We are now hearing air raid sirens, live, on Channel 2 as they are reporting from Haifa. Air raid sirens are alerting Haifa residents to take shelter immediately. They have put several cities, including the Krayot and Carmiel, on alert to take shelter immediately. Channel 2's reporter on the scene is saying that they just heard a boom nearby. A katyusha rocket has just landed in Haifa.
1:39 PM: Channel 2 is confirming that over 80 people were wounded in this morning's attack on Haifa. Again, several (exact # unknown) are in serious condition, a few in moderate condition, and at least 18 people suffering from shock.
1:27 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that several of the injured from this morning's attack on Haifa are in serious condition, with at least 1 of them in surgery right now.
Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, says that the official US stand is that now is not the time for a cease-fire, and there is no reason for one.
Arutz 7 is reporting that one of the victims of Kassam attacks in Sderot on Friday is in serious condition.
A little while ago, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, in a nationally broadcast radio statement, vowed that Israel "will not break". He also reinforced that Israel's fight against Hezbollah is "moral" and completely "legitimate". He said that Israel is fighting to protect her citizens and that attacks will go on until her objectives are achieved.
Channel 2 is reporting that the IDF's current attack on southern Lebanon has resulted in the destruction of some of Hezbollah's rocket batteries and capabilities.
1:00 PM: The IAF prevented a terrorist attack today when they bombed a tunnel in southern Gaza. Also, IDF artillery are pounding northern Gaza Kassam launch sites.
Syria is threathening stern and harsh response if Israel attacks her. "Any aggression against Syria will be met with a firm and direct response whose timing and methods are unlimited," Syria's official news agency quoted Information Minister Mohsen Bilal as saying. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's office released a statement that Israel has no plans at this time to attack Syria.
Iran continues to deny that it has any troops in Lebanon, and it denies that it has sent or is attempting to send weapons to Hezbollah forces. This denial comes in light of Israel confirming that it was not an UAV that attacked the Israeli Naval ship on Friday but an Iranian-made C-802 radar guided missiles.
(We forgot to report this last night.) The Navy admitted that it underestimated Hezbollah's weapons capability. This is based on the fact that Israeli Navy ships are equipped with anti-missiles detection and missile systems. However, on this ship, that system was not turned on, because the crew did not feel that there was a need to do so.
Minister of Transportation, Shaul Mofaz (and former Defense Minister), is now on TV stating that last night's press conference by the Lebanese Prime Minister was good. However, he said that nobody is stopping the Prime Minister from putting his own forces in the southern part of his sovereign country. (Basically, what he said was that where Lebanon puts his own forces is not an issue and should not be a point of negotiation. The question isn't where he is putting his forces. It's a matter of removing Hezbollah forces.)
Shaul Mofaz is also stating that after closer look, the rocket that hit Haifa was NOT a Fajar missile. He is stating that it is a Syrian missile based on the pellets used as shrapnel. (This is his opinion, and we are still awaiting further investigative information.)
12:11 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that residents of Haifa, the Krayot, Aco, Carmiel, Tiberias, Tirat HaCarmel, and other areas are requested to stay in protected areas and keep vigilent on what's happening around them. This includes residents of Tel-Aviv north-ward. At this time, residents between Tel-Aviv and Haifa are NOT being asked to seek shelter or protection. They should go about their daily routine. However, they are asked to remain vigillent and listen to news reports for any further warnings or instructions.
In response to the Lebanese Prime Minister's press conference last night, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert spoke with UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan, and said that unless 2 pre-conditions are met, Israel will not talk about a cease-fire. 1) The 2 kidnapped soldiers are immediately returned to Israeli custody. 2) Lebanon fulfill its obligations under UN Security Resolution 1559 and disband and disarm Hezbollah and retake control of Southern Lebanon and the border with Lebanese Army troops.
In Gaza, more Kassams were fired into Israel. There are no reported injuries.
An anti-tank missile was fired at a tank in Northern Gaza, but there were none injured.
Jpost is reporting that the IDf suspects that the rockets fired into Haifa this morning were Fajar rockets, which as Channel 2 reported have a longer range than normal Katyshuas, about 40 kilometers, and carries more explosives.
12:01 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that following a preliminary investigation of the rocket that fell into a train station garage in Haifa, it appears to be a different type of rocket than Hezbollah has used up until now. It appears to have been longer and filled with more shrapnel than the other Katyushas fired on Haifa up until this point.
11:45 AM: Channel 2 is reporting that the Home-front Command has issued an order for all citizens between Tel-Aviv and Haifa to either stay near shelters or listen to news alerts for warnings of incoming rockets into the area.
The IDF is now making announcements and handing out fliers to residents of Southern Lebanon, requesting that they leave their homes immediately in preparation for incoming attacks from Israel.
There are still conflicting reports going on as to Nasrallah's current condition of health. There are some reports stating that he is hurt, and others saying he is still trapped under his headquartes. Again, we'll report the updates as they come.
11:14 AM: Channel 2 is reporting that 4 more Katyushas just hit the Haifa area, including Kiryat Motzkin and Bat Gallin and Haifa's center.
TO GET LIVE UPDATES FROM OTHER BLOGGERS, VISIT THIS SITE TO SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF THOSE DOING LIVE UPDATES:
Israel At War: Click Here for Updates
"All that Israel has hit has been civilian targets. We have only hit military targets."
"We had no choice but to bomb Haifa."
"We will do whatever it takes to protect and defend our people."
6:28 PM: Channel 2 is currently showing and simultaneously translating Nasrallah's broadcast. Highlights:
"The world now understands what's happening in Lebanon."
"Our fighters are prepared to fight."
"We are awaiting an attack by tanks and troops."
"We showed how he can surprise, and we came through with our surprises."
"We are planning to rebuild what has been and what will be destroyed."
"It's possible to hang a lot of hope on the Lebanese people."
"Rumors that an Egyptian ship sank is all part of the Zionist lies."
"There are no Iranian soldiers helping Hezbollah. They are all Lebanese."
"We are not asking for any-one to come and assist us. We don't need any help. We're fine. We're doing fine. We inflict injury only with the hand and by the help of Allah."
"Foreign Ministers of the Arab world have admitted that they're helpless."
"Today, the Arab has a chance to unite [against the Zionists]."
"We are the arrow-head."
"We are giving the example of how to defeat the enemy."
"This is a battle of the entire Arab nation, not just Lebanon."
Katyushas are falling in Metula. No reported injuries.
6:01 PM: Jpost is reporting that Palestinians threw stones at a bus travelling on the road just south of Nablus.
According to Shin-Bet sources, kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit is still alive.
Israeli police arrested an Al-Jazeera crew that was caught broadcasting live footage of the location of this morning's Haifa attacks, which violates military censorship rules. They were told not to broadcast live during the attack, but they continued to broadcast.
The IDF has called up another IDF infantry reserve disivision in preparation for a possible ground assault in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli was injured when stones were thrown at him near Azun, which is just east of Kalkilya.
5:31 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that, as of now, at least 1,040 Katyusha rockets and mortars have falled in Israel, at least 60 since this morning.
Nasrallah is expected to make a public statement soon.
Today is the first time in decades that a Katyusha rocket has fallen in the Golan Heights.
3:47 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that residents of southern Lebanon have begun to leave their homes in response to the IDF's warning to evacuate prior to Israel's offensive in the area.
Katyushas continue to fall in the areas of Ramat Ha'Golan, Nehariya, and Shvei Tzion. No injuries are reported.
3:23 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that the Israeli Chief of Staff, General Dan Halutz, is confirming that the rocket that landed in Haifa earlier this morning was a Syrian-made missile as Minister Mofaz had asserted.
An-Manwar (sp?) television, Hezbollah's flag-ship station, is now experiencing severe technical difficulties, indicating that IAF planes were successful in elimating their sattelite feed. If this is true, it is directly in contrast to the station's foreign editor that informed BBC World that they had prepared contingincies to handle Israel's attacks on the station, and they would be able to continue broadcasting as usual.
3:14 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that one of Nasrallah's commanders has been injured in the attack on southern Lebanon
Arutz 7 is reporting that the General of the IDF Spokesperson Unit is denying reports that Nasrallah is injured.
The General Commander of Hom-front Command has released a statement informing Tel-Aviv residents that they will receive a one minute warning in the event a missile is launched in the Gush Dan region.
Jpost is reporting that IDF soldiers prevented a Palestinian from stabbing them. The man was running at the Hebron check-point with a knife, in the direction of the soldiers. He is now in Shin-Bet custody.
In the Shomron area, an Armored Personal Carrier flipped over, injurying 3 soldiers; one seriously and two lightly.
2:19 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that more than 50 Katyushas have fallen in less than 12 hours (This number is a bit misleading. Hezbollah has not fired many rockets at night. Therefore, it must be understood that the majority of these rockets have been fired since the early morning hours.)
Several Katyushas have fallen in the Carmel region.
For any interested in being aware of the areas under alert by the IDF Home-front Command, please visit this site:
Home-Front Command
2:12 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that Katyushas continue to fall in Nahariya, Shavei Tzion, and other sorrounding areas.
Jpost is reporting that the bodies of the other 3 sailers that had been missing after in Friday night's attacks have been found and postively identified. They are, L.-Rtg. Shai Atias, 19, from Rishon Lezion; Fourth Petty Officer Yaniv Hershkovitz, 21, from Haifa; and First Petty Officer Dov Shtierenshos, 37, from Karmiel. Tal Amgar, 21, was found early yesterday after-noon.
1:51 PM: Arutz 7 is reporting that people fleeing the north to get to safer locations and escape rocket fire will be given a special refugee status and are being accepted into central and southern communities.
The new report, with this morning's attacks is that over 600 people have been injured since the start of fighting on Wednesday.
We are now hearing air raid sirens, live, on Channel 2 as they are reporting from Haifa. Air raid sirens are alerting Haifa residents to take shelter immediately. They have put several cities, including the Krayot and Carmiel, on alert to take shelter immediately. Channel 2's reporter on the scene is saying that they just heard a boom nearby. A katyusha rocket has just landed in Haifa.
1:39 PM: Channel 2 is confirming that over 80 people were wounded in this morning's attack on Haifa. Again, several (exact # unknown) are in serious condition, a few in moderate condition, and at least 18 people suffering from shock.
1:27 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that several of the injured from this morning's attack on Haifa are in serious condition, with at least 1 of them in surgery right now.
Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, says that the official US stand is that now is not the time for a cease-fire, and there is no reason for one.
Arutz 7 is reporting that one of the victims of Kassam attacks in Sderot on Friday is in serious condition.
A little while ago, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, in a nationally broadcast radio statement, vowed that Israel "will not break". He also reinforced that Israel's fight against Hezbollah is "moral" and completely "legitimate". He said that Israel is fighting to protect her citizens and that attacks will go on until her objectives are achieved.
Channel 2 is reporting that the IDF's current attack on southern Lebanon has resulted in the destruction of some of Hezbollah's rocket batteries and capabilities.
1:00 PM: The IAF prevented a terrorist attack today when they bombed a tunnel in southern Gaza. Also, IDF artillery are pounding northern Gaza Kassam launch sites.
Syria is threathening stern and harsh response if Israel attacks her. "Any aggression against Syria will be met with a firm and direct response whose timing and methods are unlimited," Syria's official news agency quoted Information Minister Mohsen Bilal as saying. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's office released a statement that Israel has no plans at this time to attack Syria.
Iran continues to deny that it has any troops in Lebanon, and it denies that it has sent or is attempting to send weapons to Hezbollah forces. This denial comes in light of Israel confirming that it was not an UAV that attacked the Israeli Naval ship on Friday but an Iranian-made C-802 radar guided missiles.
(We forgot to report this last night.) The Navy admitted that it underestimated Hezbollah's weapons capability. This is based on the fact that Israeli Navy ships are equipped with anti-missiles detection and missile systems. However, on this ship, that system was not turned on, because the crew did not feel that there was a need to do so.
Minister of Transportation, Shaul Mofaz (and former Defense Minister), is now on TV stating that last night's press conference by the Lebanese Prime Minister was good. However, he said that nobody is stopping the Prime Minister from putting his own forces in the southern part of his sovereign country. (Basically, what he said was that where Lebanon puts his own forces is not an issue and should not be a point of negotiation. The question isn't where he is putting his forces. It's a matter of removing Hezbollah forces.)
Shaul Mofaz is also stating that after closer look, the rocket that hit Haifa was NOT a Fajar missile. He is stating that it is a Syrian missile based on the pellets used as shrapnel. (This is his opinion, and we are still awaiting further investigative information.)
12:11 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that residents of Haifa, the Krayot, Aco, Carmiel, Tiberias, Tirat HaCarmel, and other areas are requested to stay in protected areas and keep vigilent on what's happening around them. This includes residents of Tel-Aviv north-ward. At this time, residents between Tel-Aviv and Haifa are NOT being asked to seek shelter or protection. They should go about their daily routine. However, they are asked to remain vigillent and listen to news reports for any further warnings or instructions.
In response to the Lebanese Prime Minister's press conference last night, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert spoke with UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan, and said that unless 2 pre-conditions are met, Israel will not talk about a cease-fire. 1) The 2 kidnapped soldiers are immediately returned to Israeli custody. 2) Lebanon fulfill its obligations under UN Security Resolution 1559 and disband and disarm Hezbollah and retake control of Southern Lebanon and the border with Lebanese Army troops.
In Gaza, more Kassams were fired into Israel. There are no reported injuries.
An anti-tank missile was fired at a tank in Northern Gaza, but there were none injured.
Jpost is reporting that the IDf suspects that the rockets fired into Haifa this morning were Fajar rockets, which as Channel 2 reported have a longer range than normal Katyshuas, about 40 kilometers, and carries more explosives.
12:01 PM: Channel 2 is reporting that following a preliminary investigation of the rocket that fell into a train station garage in Haifa, it appears to be a different type of rocket than Hezbollah has used up until now. It appears to have been longer and filled with more shrapnel than the other Katyushas fired on Haifa up until this point.
11:45 AM: Channel 2 is reporting that the Home-front Command has issued an order for all citizens between Tel-Aviv and Haifa to either stay near shelters or listen to news alerts for warnings of incoming rockets into the area.
The IDF is now making announcements and handing out fliers to residents of Southern Lebanon, requesting that they leave their homes immediately in preparation for incoming attacks from Israel.
There are still conflicting reports going on as to Nasrallah's current condition of health. There are some reports stating that he is hurt, and others saying he is still trapped under his headquartes. Again, we'll report the updates as they come.
11:14 AM: Channel 2 is reporting that 4 more Katyushas just hit the Haifa area, including Kiryat Motzkin and Bat Gallin and Haifa's center.
10:15AM: the official report from the police - the Katyusha hit a Train garage, while the workers were having their morning meeting. Several Katyushas hit the same area, and the official numeber of killed at the moment is 8 (not 9).
9:45AM: the numebr of killed is up to 9.
9:45AM: the numebr of killed is up to 9.
9:35AM: between 10 -20 Katyushas have just fallen on Haifa, Akko, Nahariyah and Kiryat Chayim. One of the Katyushas Hit a train station. There is a report of 6 killed and at least 20 injured in this morning’s attack.
On a personal Note: I was woken up this morning with my dad calling me to tell me the news. He also told me that my sister, who was back on her way to base, was on a train this morning. So after a few minutes of uncertainty, we managed to get in touch with her and she is fine, she is almost back at her base down south by Ashkelon.
TO GET LIVE UPDATES FROM OTHER BLOGGERS, VISIT THIS SITE TO SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF THOSE DOING LIVE UPDATES:
Israel At War: Click Here for Updates
posted by Oleh Yahshan @ 7/16/2006 11:59:00 PM
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2 Comments:
Many thanks for the updates!
Incredible! Thanks so much!
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