Operation Hot Winter

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Operation Hot Winter
Part of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Area of the conflict
Date February 28, 2008 - March 3, 2008
Location Gaza Strip & Southern Israel
Result Claimed success[1]
Belligerents
Flag of Israel Israel (IDF) Hamas
Commanders
Flag of IsraelGabi Ashkenazi
Flag of Israel Yoav Galant		 Khaled Meshaal
Ismail Haniyeh
Mahmoud az-Zahar
Ahmed Jabari
Casualties and losses
3 killed (1 civilian)
at least 8 wounded [2]		 112 killed (58 civilians),
350 wounded.[3]
v • d • e
Second Intifada

Operation Hot Winter, also called Operation Warm Winter (Hebrew: מבצע חורף חם‎, Mivtza Horef Ham) was an Israel Defense Forces military campaign in the Gaza Strip, launched on February 29, 2008 in response to Qassam rockets fired from the Strip by Hamas. At least 112 Palestinians and three Israelis were killed, and more than 150 Palestinians and seven Israelis were injured[4].

There was widespread international alarm at the scale of the operation, with the US state department encouraging Israel to exercise caution to avoid the loss of innocent life, and the European Union and the United Nations criticising Israel's "disproportionate use of force". The European Union also demanded an immediate end to Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Israel and urged Israel to halt activities that endanger civilians, saying they were in violation of international law[4][5].

Contents

[edit] Background

After the Gaza-Egypt border breach by Hamas during an Israeli blockade of Gaza, Shin Bet officials concluded the Palestinian militant groups had smuggled large amounts of longer range missiles, such as Katyushas and Grads into the Strip that were capable of reaching Ashkelon, a city 6 times as large as the rocket-battered town of Sderot.

On February 27, 2008, Hamas, the Popular Resistance Committees and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad carried out a rocket barrage, in which they fired for the first time 6 Grad missiles at the industrial city of Ashkelon. While only a few people were lightly injured, the attack had a profound psychological impact. The Israeli Prime Minister and several other minister vowed a tough response. The next day, the IDF started an operation to halt, or at least decrease the rocket fire.

[edit] Operation

According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the operation was aimed at disrupting terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. One of the targets was Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh's office[6][7].

Troops from the Givati Brigade, Combat Engineering forces and the Armor Corps are also known to have been involved in the ground operation. The Israeli Air Force was also involved, carrying out airstrikes and providing tactical support for the ground troops. A source in the IDF said that the cooperation between ground and air forces was satisfactory[8].

From February 29 to March 1, Israel mostly carried out airstrikes at ammo warehouses, rocket factories, rocket warehouses and launching cells, combined with small incursions close to the border. Despite the IAF presence in the whole Gaza Strip and the IDF presence in the border areas, the Palestinian militants managed to fire more than 200 rockets during the operation, most of them at Sderot, but at least 20 at Ashkelon and 1 at Netivot. After a day in which 50 rockets were fired, IDF decided to change its strategy on March 2 and sent a whole regiment (about 2000 men) into the Northern Strip to occupy Jabalya and Sajiyah but met stiff resistance from the Palestinians. In the bloodiest day for Gaza since 2002, 70 Palestinians and 2 Israelis were killed. On March 3, 2008 Israel, according to the IDF, was free to search for factories, terrorist infrastructure, Qassam warehouses and rocket launchers in the 2 towns. In the evening, Israel pulled out its troops from the Gaza Strip, but Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the operation ended but Israel would soon return to counter the rocket firing and said the airstrikes "would continue."[4]

[edit] Casualties

As of March 4, 2008, 110 Palestinian fatalities have been reported.[9] While Israel claims that most casualties were militants, Palestinians say more than half of the killed were civilians.[10] March 1 has been noted as "the bloodiest day for Palestinians" since the Second intifada began in 2000, when almost half the dead were civilians including children.[11] Israeli human rights movement B'Tselem expressed its grave concern at "the large number of children and other uninvolved (Palestinian) civilians among those killed and wounded in the Gaza Strip".[4]

According to B'Tselem, there were 54 civilian casualties.[12]Civilian casualties included children, women and even infants. A 13-year-old Palestinian youth was also killed in the West Bank in the demonstrations staged by West Bank Palestinians in support of Hamas in Gaza.[13] Militant deaths were mostly Hamas members, as well as some Islamic Jihad members, and one member of the PRC.[8] The Associated Press and other news outlets did not report that civilians accounted for the majority of Palestinian casualties, but that they accounted for "dozens."[14][15][16][17] Israel's attacks in Gaza aired prominently on Arab TV news channels.[17][18]

While expressing regret for civilian casualties, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed "Hamas and those firing rockets at Israel," his office said in a statement, pledging to continue the offensive to protect Israeli towns and cities. The Israeli army said it was targeting rocket squads, and blamed militants for operating in populated areas. Associated Press photos showed rockets being launched from densely populated areas in northern Gaza.[15] On 5 March 2008, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office announced that Israel would maintain its pressure on Hamas. Olmert did leave the door open to an unofficial truce with Hamas. "If there is no rocket fire at Israel, there won't be Israeli attacks on Gaza," he told reporters. Israeli government spokesman David Baker said Israel was "compelled to continue to take these defensive measures" to protect more than 200,000 Israelis living under the threat of Palestinian rocket barrages.Militants "hide behind their own civilians, using them as human shields, while actively targeting Israeli population centers," Baker said. "They bear the responsibility for the results." Israeli military spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich called Saturday's action a "pinpoint operation" provoked by the rocket attack on Ashkelon earlier in the week. She blamed the high civilian toll on Hamas' practice of using homes to store and produce projectiles. "We are not targeting homes and we have no intentions of targeting uninvolved civilians," she said. "We will target launchers and Hamas militants, and bunkers."In Washington, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe expressed regret for loss of civilian life on both sides but put most of the blame on the Palestinians. "There is a clear distinction between terrorist rocket attacks that target civilians and action in self-defense," he said in a statement.[19]

One Israeli 8 year-old had his leg amputated in a rocket attack. One Israeli civilian was killed in a rocket attack in Sderot.[10] Two Israeli soldiers were also killed by Hamas forces during an incursion into the Gaza Strip.[20] Soldiers from the Givati infantry brigade were wounded.[21] A much larger number of civilians have been wounded or treated for shock. The rocket attacks have caused widespread fear and hardship in Israeli border towns and have damaged millions of dollars worth of property, including schools.[22]

[edit] Reactions

[edit] Involved parties

  • Flag of Israel Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert slammed criticism of Israel for the operation, and stated that Israel had no intention to stop it. He added that critics of Israel were not heard when Israeli civilians were being hurt.[23] Israel has denied that it has committed war crimes.[24]
  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas temporarily suspended contacts with Israel, with "Israeli aggression" as the stated reason.[10] Palestinian observer to the United Nations referred to Israeli military actions as "war crimes."[24]
    • A Hamas official declared that Israel has "crossed the line" by attacking Ismail Haniye's office building.[6] Mahmoud az-Zahar, a prominent Hamas leader, claimed that Israel lost in Operation Hot Winter, and that these were 5 black days for Barak and Olmert.[25]

[edit] International

  • Flag of the United Nations - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said "While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children. I call on Israel to cease such attacks."[26] Ban also pointed out that there had been 26 Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel on that Saturday alone. "I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism," he said.[27]
  • Flag of Europe - EU president Slovenia condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as disproportionate and violating international law, and the firing of rockets by Palestinians from Gaza into Israel.[11] Later, in an address to 27 EU leaders, Hans-Gert Poettering declared: "Only last Monday, at its plenary sitting, the European Parliament condemned in the strongest possible terms the appalling murderous attack on a school in Jerusalem and the latest acts of violence perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian extremists. The bombardment of Israel from the Gaza Strip must stop. This kind of resistance is terrorism and cannot, therefore, be the subject of negotiations. At the same time, ignoring the population of Gaza and supplying them with only the barest humanitarian necessities cannot be part of a workable, long-term solution."[33]
  • Non-Aligned Movement - non-aligned movement passed a resolution condemning Israeli violence as "aggressive escalation."[34]
  • Flag of the People's Republic of China - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said his country hoped urged restraint. China also expressed "grave" concern over Palestinian casualties and called for an immediate end to the Israeli operation against the Palestinians.[35]
  • Flag of Egypt - Egyptian head of intelligence Omar Suleiman put off a trip to Israel because of the latter's "onslaught on the Gaza Strip." Another date for the visit, he said, would depend on "Israel's commitment to international resolutions".[36]
  • Flag of India - India condemned the use of "disproportionate force" by Israel and called for an "immediate end to this cycle of violence." [37] India also began making preparations to ensure the safety of its 21 citizens living in Gaza.[38]
  • Flag of Italy - The Italian foreign minister asked both sides to stop the violence. He also urged Israel to negotiate with Hamas, in reference to a truce offered by Hamas but refused by Israel.[39]
  • Flag of Libya - Libya, representing Arab nations at the United Nations Security Council, called for "an immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including military attacks and the firing of rockets, and calls upon all parties to respect [such a] ceasefire." It also objected to the categorization of Palestinian attacks as "terrorism."[24]
  • Flag of Kuwait - Kuwait slammed Israeli attacks, calling them "senseless" and "unjust." [40]
  • Flag of Mauritania - Mauritania, one of only three Arab League nations to keep relations with Israel, called on Israel to end the "collective punishment" [41] and the "bloodbath"of Gaza. In the capital, Nouakchott, an estimated 3,000 students marched in protest denouncing "The Massacre of the Israeli Army". [42]
  • Flag of Pakistan - Pakistan condemned the loss of life as result of Israeli attacks in Gaza, and urged restraint.[43]
  • Flag of Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Press Agency called upon the international community to stop the "mass killings" that go against international law and humanitarian norms.[44]
  • Flag of Turkey - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said "the attacks are killing children and civilians and that the attacks can have no humanitarian justification". Turkey also offered to mediate for Middle East peace, but the Erdogan said that Israel had rejected a diplomatic solution. Turkey is Israel's closest ally in the Muslim world. [5]
  • Flag of the United States United States - The US delegation at the UN described Palestinian attacks on Israel as "acts of terrorism", in line with Mr Ban's statement to the council. The US, meanwhile, rejected a reference to the council's concern that Israel's response is "excessive."[24]
  • Al-Qaeda - Osama bin Laden called for a holy war on behalf of the Palestinians and warned of a "severe" reaction against Europe over the republishing of newspaper cartoons seen as insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Ayman al-Zawahri released a tape calling on Muslims to "strike the interests of the Jews, the Americans, and all those who participated in the attack on Muslims," and not to limit attacks in Israel, but "everywhere." Al-Zawahri also denounced Arab leaders he accused of supporting Israel — pointing to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, suggesting they too could be targets.[18]

[edit] "Shoah" controversy

On 29th February, Israel's Deputy Defense Minister, Matan Vilnai, said

"As the rocket fire grows, and the range increases... they [Palestinians] are bringing upon themselves a greater 'Shoah' because we will use all our strength in every way we deem appropriate..."

The term "shoah" in Hebrew means "disaster"; but Ha-Shoah (The Holocaust) is primarily used in Israel to refer to the Holocaust, and is rarely used outside that context. As a result the wire service put out a story "Israel minister warns Palestinians of 'Holocaust,'" provoking a controversy.[45][46][47] Vilnai's spokesman later insisted that he meant only meant "disaster, ruin or destruction" and not "genocide."[46]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded to Vilinai's comments by stating that Israel's attacks were "more than a holocaust",[7] while Hamas Chairman Khaled Mashaal also claimed that they were "the real holocaust."[7]

Vilnai's comments were reported by several news agencies: The Guardian ran it under the headline "Israeli minister warns of Palestinian 'Holocaust'", The Times stated "Israel threatens to unleash 'Holocaust' in Gaza."[46] The Saudi Press Agency compared Israel's actions to "Nazi war crimes."[44]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Greenberg, Hanan. "IDF operation in Gaza ends, soldiers leaving Strip", Ynetnews, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-04-12. 
  2. ^ Ben-Yishai, Ron. "Givati officers: Lessons from Lebanon implemented in Gaza", Ynetnews, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  3. ^ "Israel vows to continue Gaza strikes", SBS, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-04-12. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Israeli Gaza operation 'not over'", BBC, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  5. ^ a b Shamir, Shlomo. "U.S. calls for end to continued violence, return to peace talks", Haaretz, 2008-03-02. 
  6. ^ a b Waked, Ali. "IAF strikes Haniyeh's office", Ynetnews, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  7. ^ a b c "Dozens die in Israel-Gaza clashes", BBC News, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  8. ^ a b Greenberg, Hanan. "70 Palestinians killed in IDF operation in Gaza", Ynetnews, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  9. ^ Abbas calls for Middle East truce. BBC News. Tuesday, 4 March 2008
  10. ^ a b c Kershner, Isabel. "Abbas suspends contacts with Israel," March 2, 2008, International Herald Tribune.
  11. ^ a b "EU presidency condemns attacks on Gaza", Reuters, Mar 2, 2008.
  12. ^ "Rights Group: More than 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants", Haaretz, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  13. ^ "From Gaza to the (West) Bank: Youth Killed in Confrontation. Officer Wounded", Ynet, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. (Hebrew) 
  14. ^ "Rocket damages Negev house; Medics: IDF kills Gaza civilian", Haaretz. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  15. ^ a b Bernstein, Alon. "Israel Warns Gaza Invasion Impending", Associated Press, 2008-02-29. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  16. ^ "Israeli army kills 4 Palestinians - Israel-Palestinians", msnbc. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  17. ^ a b Gradstein, Linda. "Gaza Neighborhood Caught in Crossfire of Attacks", NPR, 2008-03-06. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  18. ^ a b Keath, Lee. "al-Qaida's No. 2: Attack Israel, US", Associated Press, 2008-03-24. 
  19. ^ AP. "Israelis target militants, killing 54 Palestinians", USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  20. ^ Greenberg, Hanan. "2 IDF soldiers killed in Gaza", Ynetnews, 2008-03-01. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  21. ^ Ben-Yishai, Ron. "Givati officers: Lessons from Lebanon implemented in Gaza", Ynetnews, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  22. ^ AP. "Rocket attack on city of 120,000 creates a new reality in Israel-Hamas conflict", International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  23. ^ Sofer, Roni. "Olmert: Don't preach morals to Israel", Ynetnews, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  24. ^ a b c d e Penketh, Anne. "US and Arab states clash at UN Security Council", The Independent, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-08. 
  25. ^ Waked, Ali. "Hamas vows to compensate Gazans hurt in IDF operation", 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  26. ^ "UN Security Council urges end of Gaza violence", Reuters, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  27. ^ a b Charbonneau, Louis. "UN Security Council urges end of Gaza violence", Reuters, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-08. 
  28. ^ "UN rights body condemns Israeli military attacks in Gaza", China view, 2008-03-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-08. 
  29. ^ a b ELIANE ENGELER. "UN Rights Council Condemns Israel", Associated Press, Mar 6, 2008. 
  30. ^ AJC: Swiss Support of UN Resolution on Israel Appalling
  31. ^ U.S. image problem; Watching human rights
  32. ^ Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, UN rights council calls for end to all attacks
  33. ^ "EU parliament chief: ‘bombardment of Israel from Gaza must stop'", Eurpoean Jewish Press. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  34. ^ Statement of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Letter submitted by Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz
  35. ^ "China urges Israel, Palestine to exercise restraint", China view, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  36. ^ "Top Egypt official delays Israel trip", Gulf Daily News, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  37. ^ "India condemns use of force by Israel in Palestine", NDTV, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  38. ^ "India monitoring situation in Gaza; to ensure safety of NRIs", The Times of India, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  39. ^ Palmieri-Billig, Lisa.. "Italian FM: Negotiate with Hamas", Jerusalem Post, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  40. ^ "Kuwait slams attacks", Arab Times, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  41. ^ "Nouakchott condemns "collective punishment" of Gaza population" Afriquenligne, 03/03/2008.
  42. ^ "Mauritania calls on Israel to stop Gaza "bloodbath"", International Herald Tribune, 2008-03-02.
  43. ^ "Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Gaza", Pakistan Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 
  44. ^ a b Reuters. "Saudi Arabia compares IDF Gaza operation to Nazi war crimes", Haaretz, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  45. ^ Reuters. "Israel minister warns Palestinians of “shoah”", Khaleej Times, 2008-02-29. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  46. ^ a b c Lefkovits, Etgar. "'Shoah' remark sparks uproar", The Jerusalem Post, 2008-03-02. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  47. ^ "Israel warns of invasion of Gaza," BBC News 29 February 2008.