As you know, Israel is now entering its second week of conflict on two major fronts.  Since the initial kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah last week, the situation in Israel has escalated.  The constant bombardment of rockets fired upon Israel has become much worse.  Since last Wednesday, there have been more than 1400 strikes against Israel. The attacks have been directed at many of Israel's most populous centers.  In the continuing assault on Nahariya, there was a major strike against the city, with one rocket directly hitting a residence.   As a result, one man was killed and at least sixty were injured in the attack.  In addition, almost 80 Katyusha rockets have landed in the north of Israel today hitting Tiberias, Golan Heights, Carmiel and additional towns.  Firefighters and important emergency personnel are currently occupied in dealing with the blazes caused by the strikes in the Golan Heights.  Yesterday, a three-story apartment in Haifa was demolished, leaving eleven Israelis wounded.  On Sunday, eight employees of Israel Railways were killed in a direct hit by a Hezbollah missile at a Haifa train depot. The towns of Tiberias, Safed, Kiryat Shmona, Upper Nazareth, and Afula have also suffered attacks. 

At this time, thirteen soldiers and thirteen civilians have been killed, hundreds more are injured.  Over two hundred and fifty thousand Israelis have now been forced to move into shelters. One and a half million more are seeking shelter during air raids. Two and a half million Israelis living in the north are under threat.

From the international community, both the European Union and the participants of the G-8 Summit have released statements condemning Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, with the EU calling upon the Lebanese government to restore its sovereignty over its country.  Israel will continue to protect its citizens and ensure their future protection by demanding that Lebanon comply with the United Nations Resolution 1559 in disarming Hezbollah and deploying Lebanese soldiers along the southern border.  Israel will continue its operations until the kidnapped soldiers have been returned and Lebanon has complied.  In order to protect Lebanese civilians, Israel has dropped leaflets within southern Lebanon telling the citizens to evacuate the area; however, Hezbollah is barricading the Lebanese citizens in their homes and forcing them to remain there.  Today, the Israeli Air force targeted two trucks traveling from Syria to Lebanon.  These trucks were loaded with missiles and supplies, including a 200 mm long range missile which would have the capacity to hit Tel Aviv.  As you know, the Syrian and Iranian governments have continued to support and arm the Hezbollah terrorists and must be held responsible.

On Israel's second front in the south today, two rockets hit Ashkelon, approx. 20 kilometers from Northern Gaza.  Yesterday, 12 Kassam rockets landed in the western Negev, with eight more hitting on Sunday. Two people were injured and many are suffering from shock.  Israel is continuing to strike strategic targets within Gaza to weaken Hamas and bring Gilad Shalit back home.

We continue to hold in our hearts and minds the abducted soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev, and their families.  Israel is committed to any means necessary to ensuring that all three soldiers return back home and appreciates the prayers of the Jewish community.  At this time, the Israeli spirit is our country's greatest strength. 

Ehud Danoch

Consul General

Consulate General of Israel