Israeli intelligence community officials are well-aware that Hamas terrorists in Gaza are armed with anti-aircraft capabilities. As a result, the air force does take the necessary caution vis-à-vis military aircraft operating over Hamas-controlled Gaza.
During the past years, since Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas has significantly increased its arsenal, now a more formidable enemy by all accounts. The weaponry amassed includes anti-aircraft weaponry capable of downing an Israeli aircraft. Additional large amounts of lethal weapons were brought into Gaza from Sinai during the recent collapse of the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Terrorists hope they will succeed in their mission, realizing the capture of a pilot would prove a valuable negotiating tool towards obtaining the release of terrorists imprisoned in Israel.
On June 25, 2006, Hamas terrorists succeeded in capturing IDF soldier Gilad Shalit near the Gaza border, and he is still being held prisoner despite efforts by Israel to obtain his release.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
This is nothing. Remember the nuclear plant in Syria? They want to bring nukes to the borders of Israel so they could wipe us off the map, Chas V’Shalom! Like Haman of old!!!