Ceasefire Monday: Feb 2, 2009

More liveblogging at IsraellyCool and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/muqata Keyword #GazaWar

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9:04 PM During Bagrut test (matriculation exams: Regents, AP, A Levels/GCSE matriculation exams) earlier today, students in Shaar HaNegev (Western Negev) were forced to flee in the middle of the test due to imminent rocket strike. Test booklets were left open on the desk. Rocket hit in an open area near the school. Students and proctor went back and continued taking the test. Ministry of Education gave the students an additional 10 minutes. Unilateral cease fire holding strong.

8:23 PM Jameel reports, via JoeSettler, live from Israel's south. Jameel heard a mortar land in the Western Negev region about 1 hour ago. IDF confirms that is landed right near the border fence (around 3 Km from Jameel's position). What is Jameel doing in the South?

4:53 PM Miss Popularity -- In a Walla poll, the following statement was posed:

I'm voting for Tzippi Livni:

Because she's a woman: 3%
Despite that she's a woman: 2%
Because of her views and ability, not because of her gender: 23%
I'm not voting for Tzippi Livni: 72%

Whatever happened to because she makes decisions and not coffee?

4:02 PM Mortar shell from Gaza hits Eshkol/Western Negev region. No injuries; small brush fire reported.

4:00 PM IAF jets break sound barrier, causing sonic booms over Sderot and Ashkelon area.

3:58 PM Color Red Rocket Alert system activated in Western Negev communities.

1:38 PM Record Number of Women in IAF Pilots Training Course.

NRG reports that a record number of 30 women cadets are starting the exclusive IAF pilots training program, up from 15 last year.

To date, 19 woman have successfully finished the course, as fighter pilots and navigators.

1:08 PM Need a find a Shul? A Mikva? A Kosher Restaurant?

The new MIO GPS units being sold in Israel for the religious sector have GPS listings in Israel for 2000 kosher and "mehadrin" kosher restaurants, 3360 Synagogues, 280 mikvaot, 460 cemeteries, 280 Holy Sites, and lots more.

I wonder if you can use the GPS to mark shuls as those you don't want to daven in?
12:55 PM Still following the Qassam-1 rocket story. NRG provides a conflicting report that the Qassam-1 rocket found was actually a pipe bomb. Since the early Qassam-1 rockets are essential pipes with fins and explosives, a definitive statement has not been issued by the IDF.

12:46 PM Reports from rotter that the Qassam-1 rocket was aimed at the Emmanuel community. (source)

12:40 PM Qassam rocket found by IDF...in the Shechem, (Nablus) Shomron (West Bank region). The rocket was connected to a timer, but was not set up to properly launch. Reports that this was the old type "Qassam 1" rocket with a range of 3-5 kilometers. IDF sappers diffused the rocket (source)

12:37 PM IDF reports that attack on car in Rafiah was a result of the mortar fired earlier today, and the "mortar team" was in the car. ynet

12:33 PM IAF attacks a car in Rafiah area of Gaza. Reports of 1 killed, 3 seriously wounded. (Reshet Bet, Channel B Radio). Ehud Barak is slipping...

You can see that there is an archway of some sort down below at the edge of the photo.

(source)

11:52 AM Minutes ago, a Gazan mortar was fired at the Eshkol region of the Negev. It landed in an open area...no injuries reported.

The ceasefire must continue! As per Defense Minister Barak's instructions, do not expect the IDF to do anything serious.

9:42 AM Good Morning.

To explain Israel's current situation, Ehud Barak announced that the Gaza rockets will continue to land in Israel till the "official" ceasefire. Despite Livni and Olmert wanting a more severe response against Hamas, Barak is not allowing IDF reprisals above tepid. His policy directed the IAF last night to bomb empty targets in Gaza (after the official phone calls warning everyone to evacuate the building prior to the bombing run).

Barak is also insistent, "We have no intention of embarking on Operation Cast Lead number two. We said there would be a response (to the rocket fire) and we responded." (source)

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד