Hamas: Israeli missile killed captured soldier

Date: 12 / 01 / 2009  Time:  16:10
Gaza – Ma’an –

Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades said they captured an Israeli solider, who was taken to a safe location which was then bombed by the Israeli military.

Militants took the captured soldier to a home in Gaza, which was tracked by the Israeli army and targeted by Israeli warplanes only hours after the Israeli soldier was taken to the building, Brigades members claimed.

The Israeli military has made no comment on the report.

The soldier was killed instantly, the statement said, and presumed that Israeli military commanders would prefer to have their soldiers killed than have to negotiate their release or admit their failure at the hands of the Palestinian brigades.

Addressing the Israeli army the Brigades statement said:

"You will see the Qassam fighters in every road and in all the streets and alleys to catch your souls and detain you. See how your lives are cheap for your leaders; they prefer to kill you than try to rescue you - just like Gilad who is still with us and they will do nothing to save him.”

The Al-Qassam Brigades finished their statement promising to make all possible efforts to kidnap Israeli soldiers and guarantee the release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

Some Israeli soldiers choosing jail over Gaza operation

Date: 12 / 01 / 2009  Time:  21:30
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

For the first time since Israel launched its massive air, sea and ground assault on the Gaza Strip, at least ten soldiers have opted for prison terms rather than going through with their deployment.

On "conscience’s grounds," the Israeli troops refused orders to head to the Gaza Strip, preferring a 14-day prison stint and rounding criticism from fellow soldiers and society at large.

At least ten are awaiting trial for violations of orders, saying they cannot go through with them.

No'em Levna, a first lieutenant in Israel's army, refused to serve in Gaza, saying, "We killed 900 Palestinians in 17 days, including hundreds of children."

"If violence must be used, it should be used minimally, and that isn't what’s happening," he added. "Killing innocent civilians cannot be justified. Nothing justifies this kind of killing. It’s devilish."

"It is Israeli arrogance based on logic. It’s saying, 'if we hit more, everything will be okay,'" he said. "But the hatred and anger we are planting in Gaza will rebound on us."

Israel confirms four soldiers injured in Gaza clashes Monday

Date: 12 / 01 / 2009  Time:  18:40
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

Four Israeli soldiers were injured in Gaza on Monday during clashes with Palestinian resistance Brigades, Israeli military sources confirmed.

The total number of injured soldiers is 106, and the total number of confirmed dead is 8.

Report: Criminally charged officer volunteered for duty in Gaza

Date: 12 / 01 / 2009  Time:  16:28
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

The officer investigated for the death of 13-year-old Iman Al-Hams in 2004 will return to Rafah with the Golani unit. He is now a higher ranking officer with a combat group.

According to the Israeli Hebrew daily newspaper Maariv, the soldier, who remained anonymous to the media throughout his trial, is one of the many reservists who volunteered to go into Gaza and help the Israeli forces attack Palestinians.

In 2004 the soldier was accused by his comrades of using an automatic weapon at close range on a wounded 13-year-old girl. The young Gazan was injured by the soldiers near the Rafah border in 2004; they reported that it appeared she was planting a bomb. When Iman was wounded the unidentified soldier moved closer to her and shot her with an automatic weapon.

The soldier was investigated but never found guilty of the crime, despite eyewitness testimony. According to Maariv he finished his mandatory military duty, went to university and then re-joined the army when he completed his degree. The story calls him a good officer with expertise that will be useful during combat in Gaza.