The reservists are joining the soldiers already moving toward Gaza, after IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz instructed forces to accelerate preparations for a ground operation. So far, 16,000 reservists have been sent voice messages telling them to report for duty.
In the meantime, the IDF struck dozens of targets in Gaza from the air and sea on Thursday and well into Friday. During the day, the government denied reports of a cease-fire, with one senior official saying “There is no talk of that at this point. We are continuing the operation and not discussing an exit strategy.”
Army Radio reported on Friday, however, that Israel agreed to halt all offensive operations during a visit to Gaza by Egypt’s prime minister, Hesham Kandil. However, once rockets were fired from the Strip, the temporary ceasefire was suspended.
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Hamas appoints new terror chief, warns of surprises still in store for Israel
(JNS.org) Hamas’s military wing announced the successor to slain commander, Ahmed Jabari, on Thursday, and promised deadly surprises for Israel.
The new commander of Hamas’s Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades is Marwan Abed al-Khareem Issa, 48, a native Gazan from Jabaliyya. Issa served as Jabari’s deputy for years, and commanded special units in Islamic Jihad’s military wing, according to Israel Hayom.
Hamas took responsibility for the deadly rocket attack in Kiryat Malachi that killed three Thursday and Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum warned, “Hamas has capabilities that will surprise Israel. We have the ability to carry out accurate attacks deeper into Israel.” Barhoum claimed that Hamas refused Israel’s request for a cease-fire, and that Hamas “has the power strike the enemy’s cities.”
In a televised speech on Hamas’s official TV station, faction leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that “After firing at Tel Aviv, Hamas has yet to show its full force … in 2009 we held our ground until the enemy begged for a cease-fire. Our strength comes from Islam and we will show our ability to endure this time as well.”
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Amid Gaza rockets, Federations’ new fund will raise up to $5 million for Israelis
(JNS.org) Responding to the onslaught of rockets hitting southern Israel from Gaza, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) on Thursday announced the establishment of a new Israel Terror Relief Fund that will contribute up to $5 million to aid victims.
The aid, which will be made up of both existing funds and new donations from 155 Jewish Federations, will support work of JFNA partner agencies such as The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
JAFI’s work to aid Israeli terror victims includes “providing a range of programs and services, including respite for the 23,500 grade-school students who live in affected areas, as well as psychological interventions for parents and children from Israel’s southern region,” according to a JFNA press release. JAFI is also supplying medical equipment, emergency cash grants, basic furnishings, and repair and home equipment.
JDC, meanwhile, will use aid funds “to distribute food and emergency kits to the elderly and disabled, implement emergency caseworkers to provide emotional and physical support and provide immediate and special care to the most severely disabled or frail elderly in their homes.”
“JDC will also offer children post-trauma interventions and volunteer-led activities in shelters,” JFNA said.
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Famed NHL coach to lead hockey’s return to Israel’s Maccabi Games
(JNS.org) With hockey fans across North America in despair over the NHL lockout, the winter sport is set to return to an unlikely warm-weather country—Israel.
For the first time in 16 years, ice hockey will make an appearance at the 19th Maccabi Games scheduled to begin in Israel in July 2013. All the hockey games will be played at the Canada Center in Metula, home to the largest ice rink in Israel. Teams from Canada, the U.S., France and Israel are expected to compete.
As with most international hockey events, Team Canada is the likely favorite. Leading the Canadian squad to Israel will be NHL coaching legend Mike Keenan, who led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Keenan, whose former wife is Jewish and daughter is being raised Jewish, will coach a Canadian team that includes several NHL draft picks and top college players.
“To have seven NHL drafted and affiliated players, along with so many talented players from NCAA D-1 and Major Junior, we believe we have an excellent chance at bringing home the Gold next summer,” said Team Canada’s General Manager Alex Vohanski in Ynet.
Team USA is also expected to be competitive. It held their tryouts last August.
Driven by Israel’s large Russian community and Canadian Jewish philanthropy, ice hockey’s popularity has grown significantly since it was first introduced to the Maccabi Games in 1997. New rinks are being constructed in Eilat and Netanya.
More than 9,000 athletes participate in the Maccabi Games, known as the “Jewish Olympics,” every four years in Israel.
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Preceding provided by JNS. org