While it hasn't been totally quiet on the Southern front since the cease-fire went into effect earlier today things were stepped up. An IDF patrol passing by the border fence with Gaza, near the Kisufim junction was attacked. Initially with an IED and then with RPG and small arms fire. Israeli forces responded with machine gun and tank fire. Unfortunately one soldier was killed and three wounded in the attack. Meanwhile the family has requested that his name not be released. Tzipi Livni has called for a response. Barak: This is a serious incident and we will respond. He also said that we should be ready for more terror attacks.
UPDATE: 1 killed, 2 seriously injured in attack.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday Open Thread.
With so many things still going on, I'll just leave an open thread, and post the way I did during the war...(so feel free to visit a few times during the day).
2:27 PM Everyone's reporting it, so here it is as well. Hamas terrorists tried to kidnap emergency rescue ambulances in Gaza during the recent Cast-Lead operation. Honestly, I don't know why people are surprised by this news -- a terror organization that uses children and civilians as human shields, shoots rockets from heavily populated areas, schools and mosques, and uses hospitals to hide in, how can anyone be surprised at Hamas trying to kidnap ambulances?
Don't get carried away that its only Hamas that tries this. Over the past 10 years, Fatah terrorists have routinely used Palestinian Red Crescent and UN ambualnces to trasport weapons, suicide bomb belts and terrorists through the West Bank.
1:47 PM Yet another "False Alarm" as Channel B radio announced that the Color Red rocket alert system was activated in Sderot about an hour ago (12:45 PM). At 1 PM, Ashkelon residents reported an Air Raid siren as well, along with a "boom".
The Cease Fire of the "False Alarm" Continues....
11:42 AM While Channel B radio announced before (11:18 AM) that the Air Raid siren in Ashkelon was a false alarm, there are reports that a mortar was fired at Ashkelon from Gaza, landing in Ashkelon's Southern Industrial Zone.
11:26 AM Despite the overwhelming professionalism of the cast-lead IDF operation, the following story is reassuring in that the soldier who "messed up" was not at the front...
10:15 AM Photos from the war.
Credit to Reuters via rotter.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
2:27 PM Everyone's reporting it, so here it is as well. Hamas terrorists tried to kidnap emergency rescue ambulances in Gaza during the recent Cast-Lead operation. Honestly, I don't know why people are surprised by this news -- a terror organization that uses children and civilians as human shields, shoots rockets from heavily populated areas, schools and mosques, and uses hospitals to hide in, how can anyone be surprised at Hamas trying to kidnap ambulances?
Don't get carried away that its only Hamas that tries this. Over the past 10 years, Fatah terrorists have routinely used Palestinian Red Crescent and UN ambualnces to trasport weapons, suicide bomb belts and terrorists through the West Bank.
1:47 PM Yet another "False Alarm" as Channel B radio announced that the Color Red rocket alert system was activated in Sderot about an hour ago (12:45 PM). At 1 PM, Ashkelon residents reported an Air Raid siren as well, along with a "boom".
The Cease Fire of the "False Alarm" Continues....
11:42 AM While Channel B radio announced before (11:18 AM) that the Air Raid siren in Ashkelon was a false alarm, there are reports that a mortar was fired at Ashkelon from Gaza, landing in Ashkelon's Southern Industrial Zone.
11:26 AM Despite the overwhelming professionalism of the cast-lead IDF operation, the following story is reassuring in that the soldier who "messed up" was not at the front...
NRG reports that the Main Gate (Shin Gimmel) of the IDF HomeFront command base near Ramle was locked as usual this past Friday, yet the soldier responsible for guarding the gate put the key to the gate...on the collar of a cat.11:18 AM Air Raid Sirens sound in Ashkelon...IDF Homefront command: "It was a false alarm" (Reshet Bet, Channel B radio)
When many soldiers in trucks, buses and cars tried to leave to get home for Shabbat and the weekend, the gaurd searched for the cat, but could not find it. Getting slightly panicked, the gaurd frantically searched everywhere as mre and more angry soldiers showed up, wanting to get home already.
Finally, a truck driver broke the lock open and everyone went home. The solider was charged with negligence, but due to his previous good behaviour over the course of the war, he was only fined 100 NIS, the cost of replacing the lock.
The cat has still not been found.
10:15 AM Photos from the war.
Credit to Reuters via rotter.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Video: IDF Commander on investigation of death of Gaza doctor's daughters
Israel TV Channel 2, Roni Daniel interviews IDF Golani Battalion Commander Peled about the deaths of Gaza Doctor's AbuElAish's daughters.
The video is close-captioned into English, so you can see a running translation.
You need to click the CC button on the youtube video in order to see it in English.
If your browser isnt letting you see the "CC" option, click on the link here to see the video, and then youtube should let you use the "CC" option. (I hate browser issues)
I assume its only a matter of days before the whole story is released.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
The video is close-captioned into English, so you can see a running translation.
You need to click the CC button on the youtube video in order to see it in English.
If your browser isnt letting you see the "CC" option, click on the link here to see the video, and then youtube should let you use the "CC" option. (I hate browser issues)
I assume its only a matter of days before the whole story is released.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Hamas Rearming
We held off publishing this story until it appeared in the mainstream media, as it is too important to have just relied on rumor and innuendo.
To begin with, some background: 10% of the Gazan smuggling tunnels are known to be still active and working. Or more accurately, 10% of the outsourced Gaza smuggling tunnels are up and running. There are even more if we count the ones that Hamas built and run themselves - not using the BOT (Build Operate Transfer) model.
This is important to know, because smuggling tunnels are rather useless without something to smuggle.
And Hamas and Iran are already working on that, taking advantage of the election-inspired cease fire.
During the Gaza war, a cargo ship from Iran kept appearing and disappearing as it tried to bring advanced and long-range weaponry to Hamas. It may have succeeded in getting parts of its cargo to ground.
Last week, an Iranian cargo ship was intercepted. It is not clear if this is the same cargo ship as the one during the war. This particular ship was intercepted by the US Navy and it was found to have been smuggling advanced weapons.
The ship was redirected away from any possible landing spots and ports for smuggling, but it seems they got to keep their military cargo, for lack of a legal mechanism to confiscate it!
Rumor has it that the US intercepted the ship as the Israelis planned a military strike on the ship, and the US wanted to avoid that.
Furthermore, it appears that the Iranians have divided their weapon shipments among multiple cargo ships to help ensure at least parts of it manage to sneak through to Gaza ahead of the next round of attacks on Israel.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
To begin with, some background: 10% of the Gazan smuggling tunnels are known to be still active and working. Or more accurately, 10% of the outsourced Gaza smuggling tunnels are up and running. There are even more if we count the ones that Hamas built and run themselves - not using the BOT (Build Operate Transfer) model.
This is important to know, because smuggling tunnels are rather useless without something to smuggle.
And Hamas and Iran are already working on that, taking advantage of the election-inspired cease fire.
During the Gaza war, a cargo ship from Iran kept appearing and disappearing as it tried to bring advanced and long-range weaponry to Hamas. It may have succeeded in getting parts of its cargo to ground.
Last week, an Iranian cargo ship was intercepted. It is not clear if this is the same cargo ship as the one during the war. This particular ship was intercepted by the US Navy and it was found to have been smuggling advanced weapons.
The ship was redirected away from any possible landing spots and ports for smuggling, but it seems they got to keep their military cargo, for lack of a legal mechanism to confiscate it!
Rumor has it that the US intercepted the ship as the Israelis planned a military strike on the ship, and the US wanted to avoid that.
Furthermore, it appears that the Iranians have divided their weapon shipments among multiple cargo ships to help ensure at least parts of it manage to sneak through to Gaza ahead of the next round of attacks on Israel.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Friday, January 23, 2009
Bravery Under Fire
I heard this interview live when it took place about 3 weeks ago during the first few days of the IDF Cast Lead operation into Gaza. Captain David Shapira recounted his unforgettable story, when he ran to the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva last year, in response the gunfire he heard.
While the following interview is in Hebrew, it's subtitled into English. Normally, David refuses interviews about the subject, but in light of the war, he thought it would be important to help inspire the troops.
On a personal level, I'm simply in awe.
Four minutes of your time, that will leave you inspired.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
While the following interview is in Hebrew, it's subtitled into English. Normally, David refuses interviews about the subject, but in light of the war, he thought it would be important to help inspire the troops.
On a personal level, I'm simply in awe.
Four minutes of your time, that will leave you inspired.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Obama takes second oath l'humra
by Lurker
[Cross-posted at DovBear]
As most of you probably already know, President Barack Obama did not recite the Presidential oath of office 100% accurately at his inauguration this past Tuesday. This was because Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered the oath, spoke the words out of order: Instead of saying "I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States", he said "I will execute the Office of President of the United States faithfully". Obama hesitated, apparently aware that Roberts was saying the words incorrectly, and giving Roberts a chance to correct himself. Roberts, however, stumbled on his words and then repeated the incorrect formulation -- at which point Obama simply repeated Roberts' version.
In the comments on a post by DovBear yesterday about the flubbed oath, I raised the question of whether Obama might have to take the oath a second time. After all, the exact wording of the oath is specified in the Constitution, and Obama (due to Roberts' mess-up) said those words out of sequence. DovBear saw it as doubtful that Obama should have to redo it: "I don't see why we need to stand on ceremony. This isn't religion." But as Tzipporah pointed out, one can reasonably argue that it is: "Political pageantry IS America's secular religion, with the Constitution standing as the holy text." I would tend to concur.
Well apparently, the President's White House counsel sees it this way as well. Yesterday, he paskened that min hastam, Obama was yotzei b'di'avad with the first oath -- but nevertheless, so that there should be no hashash ("out of an abundance of caution"), he still had Obama take the oath a second time l'humra, in order to be yotzei l'khol hadei'ot.
Greg Craig's psak was presumably influenced by the rulings issued by many major poskim over the last two days, that Obama should have to do the oath over again: Constitutional scholar Jack Beermann of Boston University went so far as to say that there is a real hashash that Obama wouldn't actually have the halakha of "President" until he recites the oath using the proper nusah. He acknowledged that one could have a hava amina not to repeat the oath because doing so might cause embarrassment to the Chief Justice -- but concluded that the importance of the mitzva of the oath overrides the kavod of the Chief Justice.
Charles Cooper, former head of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department, paskened unequivocally that Obama is hayav to retake the oath, and without delay. And Jonathan Turley, professor of Constitutional law at George Washington University, said that although Obama is not actually hayav to retake the oath, he should do so anyway to eliminate the safek.
A few interesting notes about Obama's second oath:
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
[Cross-posted at DovBear]
As most of you probably already know, President Barack Obama did not recite the Presidential oath of office 100% accurately at his inauguration this past Tuesday. This was because Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered the oath, spoke the words out of order: Instead of saying "I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States", he said "I will execute the Office of President of the United States faithfully". Obama hesitated, apparently aware that Roberts was saying the words incorrectly, and giving Roberts a chance to correct himself. Roberts, however, stumbled on his words and then repeated the incorrect formulation -- at which point Obama simply repeated Roberts' version.In the comments on a post by DovBear yesterday about the flubbed oath, I raised the question of whether Obama might have to take the oath a second time. After all, the exact wording of the oath is specified in the Constitution, and Obama (due to Roberts' mess-up) said those words out of sequence. DovBear saw it as doubtful that Obama should have to redo it: "I don't see why we need to stand on ceremony. This isn't religion." But as Tzipporah pointed out, one can reasonably argue that it is: "Political pageantry IS America's secular religion, with the Constitution standing as the holy text." I would tend to concur.
Well apparently, the President's White House counsel sees it this way as well. Yesterday, he paskened that min hastam, Obama was yotzei b'di'avad with the first oath -- but nevertheless, so that there should be no hashash ("out of an abundance of caution"), he still had Obama take the oath a second time l'humra, in order to be yotzei l'khol hadei'ot.
Obama retakes oath of office after Roberts' mistake(The article linked above contains an audio recording of the second oath, which was taken on Wednesday at 7:35 pm EST in the White House Map Room.)
...
The do-over was aimed at dispelling any confusion that might arise from Tuesday's take -- in which "faithfully" was said out of sequence -- and erase any question that Obama is legally the president.
...
"We believe that the oath of office was administered effectively and that the president was sworn in appropriately yesterday," White House counsel Greg Craig said Wednesday in a written statement.
"But the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time," the statement read.
Greg Craig's psak was presumably influenced by the rulings issued by many major poskim over the last two days, that Obama should have to do the oath over again: Constitutional scholar Jack Beermann of Boston University went so far as to say that there is a real hashash that Obama wouldn't actually have the halakha of "President" until he recites the oath using the proper nusah. He acknowledged that one could have a hava amina not to repeat the oath because doing so might cause embarrassment to the Chief Justice -- but concluded that the importance of the mitzva of the oath overrides the kavod of the Chief Justice.
Charles Cooper, former head of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department, paskened unequivocally that Obama is hayav to retake the oath, and without delay. And Jonathan Turley, professor of Constitutional law at George Washington University, said that although Obama is not actually hayav to retake the oath, he should do so anyway to eliminate the safek.
A few interesting notes about Obama's second oath:
- Roberts once again phrased "so help me God" as a question.
- The use of a Bible -- which is only a minhag and not specified as part of the hiyuv in the Constitution -- was dispensed with.
- Another concern I raised in the comments, that a second oath might constitute a problem of a brakha l'vatala, apparently did not figure in Mr. Craig's psak.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Don't know who to vote for?
JoeSettler here (these are my results)
Don't know who to vote for?
This online wizard will help...
http://israel.kieskompas.nl/language/en
Spot on in my case (Ichud Haleumi).
What I found most interesting is where I agreed and disagreed with the various party platform positions.
I bet Jameel got Ichud Leumi too, but he would never admit it. Or he would admit, but would still vote Likud, as I vote by ideology, and he votes to try to beat the system - now that will be an interesting post (coming soon).
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Don't know who to vote for?
This online wizard will help...
http://israel.kieskompas.nl/language/en
Spot on in my case (Ichud Haleumi).
What I found most interesting is where I agreed and disagreed with the various party platform positions.
I bet Jameel got Ichud Leumi too, but he would never admit it. Or he would admit, but would still vote Likud, as I vote by ideology, and he votes to try to beat the system - now that will be an interesting post (coming soon).
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Oh. My. God.
by Lurker
"Obama was elected by the United States, but as a matter of fact, he was chosen by the whole of humankind."
-- Sir Shimon Peres, Israeli Crazy Old Man, Knight of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (who say "ni"), and President of Israel, declaring The Obama Dogma while in an ecstatic state of epiphany [source].
The high priests of the Church of Rabin may denounce this as mortal heresy, but I say that it's possible -- just possible -- that The Obama may be a higher deity than even Rabin...
While still in his ecstatic state, Sir Shimon decreed that Obama's agenda (soon to be revealed to the faithful) is Biblically mandated. Accordingly, Sir Shimon prophesied its triumph, and swore Israel's fealty to Obama and his agenda in the name of the entire Jewish people:
"They say Obama will be a good President to Israel, and I say Israel will be a good country for the President, because his goals are our goals, his hopes are our hopes, his source is our source. All of us are coming from the same depth of Biblical convictions, with a permanent respect for the Ten Commandments. I want on behalf of the people of Israel, actually of all of the Jewish people, to tell the President, 'God bless you.' Your success will be our success. Your hope will become a reality."
Read the rest here.
It was quite thoughtful of the Knesset to have elected Sir Shimon as the President of Israel. One imagines that if he didn't have the Presidency to occupy himself, he would probably be spending his time as one of the wizened old street prophets roaming the Ben Yehudah pedestrian mall...
For more on the Biblical significance of Obama, see here. (hattip: Jameel).
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
"Obama was elected by the United States, but as a matter of fact, he was chosen by the whole of humankind."
-- Sir Shimon Peres, Israeli Crazy Old Man, Knight of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (who say "ni"), and President of Israel, declaring The Obama Dogma while in an ecstatic state of epiphany [source].
The high priests of the Church of Rabin may denounce this as mortal heresy, but I say that it's possible -- just possible -- that The Obama may be a higher deity than even Rabin...
While still in his ecstatic state, Sir Shimon decreed that Obama's agenda (soon to be revealed to the faithful) is Biblically mandated. Accordingly, Sir Shimon prophesied its triumph, and swore Israel's fealty to Obama and his agenda in the name of the entire Jewish people:
"They say Obama will be a good President to Israel, and I say Israel will be a good country for the President, because his goals are our goals, his hopes are our hopes, his source is our source. All of us are coming from the same depth of Biblical convictions, with a permanent respect for the Ten Commandments. I want on behalf of the people of Israel, actually of all of the Jewish people, to tell the President, 'God bless you.' Your success will be our success. Your hope will become a reality."
Read the rest here.
It was quite thoughtful of the Knesset to have elected Sir Shimon as the President of Israel. One imagines that if he didn't have the Presidency to occupy himself, he would probably be spending his time as one of the wizened old street prophets roaming the Ben Yehudah pedestrian mall...
For more on the Biblical significance of Obama, see here. (hattip: Jameel).
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
CeaseFire Edition? Jan 21 2009
4:33 PM Israeli Leftists -- The Cancer Within. (Who is Mazal Mizrachi?)
The hatred of the Left in Israel is simply limitless. In their desire to destroy Israel, they have gone so far as to actively petition the World Court in the Hague -- that Israeli politicians and IDF officers be tried for War Crimes against humanity, for their part in the Gaza "Cast Lead" counter offensive.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the IDF is taking steps to "cloak the participating" of IDF officers so that they won't be easily targeted.
Pictured here is a "warrant" for IDF Commander in Chief, General Gabi Ashkenazi.
Who are these proud patriots of Israel, those who hold such a high moral ground, that they are actively trying to destroy Israel's army?
It's not hard to find out. According to the standard "whois" lookup database, the "wanted.org.il" website listed above is registered to the following:
1:57 PM Excellent article: Our Neighbor and Why We Have to Kill Him
11:31 AM Despite the Israeli police forcefully insisting that no mortars were fired at Israel yesterday and that all the air raid sirens which occasionally sounded in Southern Israel were all "false alarms", we reported that there were mortar strikes in Israel.
This morning, Jan 21, at 9 AM, IDF "Galei Tzahal" Radio nonchalantly announced that "yesterday, there were 2 shooting attacks on IDF positions...and mortars hit the Western Negev".
Could someone repeat that? "mortars hit the Western Negev"
What ever happened to Israel's promise that "We'll hit them hard again if they shoot even one rocket at us?"
Reports that at least 10 were shot at us, yet where is the IDF's response?
Seems our politicians really did want to stop the war out of political considerations, rather than regards for security.
Additionally, Israeli papers are media report, "Every single IDF soldier is now out of Gaza".
They seem to have forgotten one, IDF Private Gilad Shalit.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
The hatred of the Left in Israel is simply limitless. In their desire to destroy Israel, they have gone so far as to actively petition the World Court in the Hague -- that Israeli politicians and IDF officers be tried for War Crimes against humanity, for their part in the Gaza "Cast Lead" counter offensive.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the IDF is taking steps to "cloak the participating" of IDF officers so that they won't be easily targeted.
So Israeli Leftists created a website (wanted.org.il) appealing to Israelis to inform the World Court if any of these people leave Israel (so they can be arrested and prosecuted)The IDF has decided not to release the names and pictures of battalion and brigade commanders who participated in Operation Cast Lead, Army Radio reported Wednesday morning.
The decision was made in anticipation that international war crimes lawsuits would be filed against IDF officers, who could face prosecution when traveling overseas.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the IDF to set up a team of intelligence and legal experts to collect evidence related to operations in the Gaza Strip, that could be used to defend military commanders against future lawsuits. (JPost)
Pictured here is a "warrant" for IDF Commander in Chief, General Gabi Ashkenazi.
Translation:WANTED
For Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes.
Gabi Ashkenazi
One 27th of December 2008, the suspect ordered the Israeli army to attack crowded, civilian areas in the Gaza Strip. For 3 weeks, 1,500 ton bombs were dropped from the air on residential homes, along with tens of thousands of artillery and tanks shells. For 3 weeks the Israeli army destroyed residential homes, schools, hospitals, water and electrical infrastructure, causing the deaths of at least 1,200 people (hundreds of them, children), and over 5,300 wounded. Hundreds of thousands are now refugees with no homes.The attack, ordered by the suspect was preceeded by a siege against 1.5 million people, a siege which the suspect took part in, including withholding food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity for 18 months.
According to International Law, it is forbidden to shoot and bomb residential areas, execution without trial, collective punishment, destruction of hospitals, schools and homes. These prohibitions, many of which were legislated as a result of the Nazi's behavior in World War Two. These prohibitions were agreed to and signed within the Fourth Geneva Convention by the entire world.
In December 2008, a complain was loged with the World Court in the Hague against this suspect and others, for allegedly carrying out War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity during the Siege in Gaza.
For the formal complaint, see here.
Description of the suspect: Male, about 55 years of age, skin complexion white, and dark hair. Average height, armed and considered dangerous.
Whoever knows when the suspect leaves Israel, he should immediately contact:
The Prosecutor
POBox 19519
2500 Hague
Netherlands
Fax +31 70 515 8 555
otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int
Confidentiality Gauranteed.
Who are these proud patriots of Israel, those who hold such a high moral ground, that they are actively trying to destroy Israel's army?
It's not hard to find out. According to the standard "whois" lookup database, the "wanted.org.il" website listed above is registered to the following:
domain: wanted.org.ilAnyone know how to easily file a Police Complaint?
descr: Mazal Mizrachi
descr: 18 Hananel
descr: Tel Aviv
descr: 66076
descr: Israel
phone: +972 3 5187979
e-mail: mazalmizrachi AT gmail.com
admin-c: LD-MM21280-IL
tech-c: LD-MM21280-IL
zone-c: LD-MM21280-IL
nserver: ns1.mybest-host.com
nserver: ns2.mybest-host.com
validity: 16-03-2010
status: Transfer Locked
changed: domain-registrar AT isoc.org.il 20080316 (Assigned)
changed: domain-registrar AT isoc.org.il 20081231 (Changed)
changed: domain-registrar AT isoc.org.il 20090106 (Changed)
1:57 PM Excellent article: Our Neighbor and Why We Have to Kill Him
Our neighbor lives in the house in which our grandfather used to live. He claims he bought the first part of the house from a Turki, and later the second part from a British bank, but that doesn’t make the sale any less illegal: my family lived in that house for hundreds of years and we don’t accept the documents of sale. Now he’s living there. He is the son of monkeys and pigs.1:46 PM Good News: Critically Wounded IDF Soldier Aharon Karov, Recovering...
Read the rest here.
Aharon Karov, the 22-year-old soldier from Karnei Shomron who went to war in Gaza a day after his wedding and was critically wounded, is recuperating nicely and due to go for rehabilitation in a week.Read more at the JPost.Karov, the parachutist son of the rabbi of the local yeshiva, suffered multiple wounds a week ago when he entered a house booby trapped by Hamas.
Prof. Pierre Singer, head of intensive care at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus, said that the young bridegroom had undergone a series of operations, spending 14 hours in surgical theaters for treatment of his acute wounds. Neurosurgery was followed by an operation on his left eye to remove shrapnel, as well as operations on his mouth and jaw, and ear-nose-and-throat surgery - all in one day.
"We were very pessimistic when he came in," Singer said.
Although his head was protected by his helmet, shrapnel went through his face and his skull. He also suffered wounds to his arms and legs, but his chest and abdomen were protected and suffered no harm.
Singer suggested to the IDF chief medical officer, who visited Karov, that he consider equipping soldiers on the battlefield with clear visors such as those covering the faces of hockey players. This could prevent many facial and head injuries, the Beilinson specialist said.
The IDF doctor "told me the IDF will consider it, and viewed my suggestion positively," Singer said.
On Monday, Karov regained consciousness and was weaned from his respirator, although he continued to receive some sedation to alleviate pain.
"He knows what is happening to him, has gradually begun to recognize his relatives and environment and is able to move all four limbs," Singer said. "We hope to put him in a chair today. His vision is also expected to be normal."
As far as Singer can tell, Karov has suffered no permanent damage to his brain and will be cognitively normal. However, he will need plastic surgery to repair his nose and will have permanent scars.
But his new wife Zvia, who has been at the Petah Tikva hospital round the clock along with dozens of relatives and friends, is overjoyed to see his progress.
"We were amazed by the speedy improvement in his condition," said Singer. "The excellent care on the air ambulance and very aggressive operations and intensive care in the hospital made the difference."
He should be discharged four weeks after rehabilitation, which will likely take place at Sheba Medical Center, Singer hoped.
11:31 AM Despite the Israeli police forcefully insisting that no mortars were fired at Israel yesterday and that all the air raid sirens which occasionally sounded in Southern Israel were all "false alarms", we reported that there were mortar strikes in Israel.
This morning, Jan 21, at 9 AM, IDF "Galei Tzahal" Radio nonchalantly announced that "yesterday, there were 2 shooting attacks on IDF positions...and mortars hit the Western Negev".
Could someone repeat that? "mortars hit the Western Negev"
What ever happened to Israel's promise that "We'll hit them hard again if they shoot even one rocket at us?"
Reports that at least 10 were shot at us, yet where is the IDF's response?
Seems our politicians really did want to stop the war out of political considerations, rather than regards for security.
Additionally, Israeli papers are media report, "Every single IDF soldier is now out of Gaza".
They seem to have forgotten one, IDF Private Gilad Shalit.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
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