1. The Hamas sniper who yesterday murdered 20 year-old volunteer Carlos Chavez from Ecuador in the fields of Kibbutz Ein Ha-Shlosha employed a specialized .50 caliber (12.5 mm) snipers' rifle. This represents a significant escalation in the character of terror employed by Hamas against the citizens of Israel. If previously Hamas terror attacks were characterized by indiscriminate area-weapons (such as rockets and mortars) fired toward civilian concentrations, now, civilians are being meticulously and purposely singled-out as targets with precise weapons (such as sniper rifles).
2. Over 100 rockets and mortars were fired from the Gaza Strip on Sderot and Ashkelon in the last 24 hours (15-16/1/08 AM), more than ever before.
3. The following is an outline of media and briefing guidelines regarding the escalation of terror activities from Gaza:
I. Moderates vs. extremists
a. The two-state solution vs. the obliteration of Israel
b. The Iran-Syria-Hizbullah-Hamas connection
c. The Palestinian expression of International Jihadist ideology
d. Extremist Islam gaining control of Gaza’s streets
II. The world does not need another terrorist state
a. Ideology that espouses violence instead of dialogue as a means to solving disputes
b. The arming of Gaza, smuggling and building a terrorist infrastructure
III. Targeting civilians and using them as shields
a. Israeli civilians acknowledged targets
b. Production, transportation and launching of rockets and mortars from inside crowded and densely populated residential areas, which are used for cover
c. Intentionally causing a humanitarian crisis as a means of gaining international support – by targeting the border crossings
IV. Every country is obliged to protect its citizens, and would act as Israel to defend them.
a. Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005 in order to promote a peaceful solution – yet in return received Hamas-backed terror.
b. Hamas pursues cross-border terrorism – abducting Israelis and targeting civilians on Israeli soil
c. Terror statistics – Approximately 1500 rockets and mortars launched at Israel since the Hamas takeover in June 2007 - dozens of casualties, hundreds of shock victims, thousands of traumatized children, and disruption of daily life.
V. Israel is doing everything possible to prevent harm to innocent Palestinian civilians
a. Tactical orders to IDF commanders – cancellation of operations when civilians enter the combat area and diversion of missiles as required
b. Continuous flow of humanitarian aid and supplies through the border crossings
c. Complete transparency when working with international aid agencies
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