ISRAEL (IINO)
Tunisia Synagogue Shooting: ‘The police shielded Jews with their bodies’
Two Jews, identified as cousins, killed along with security guard at Lag Ba’Omer celebration in Djerba synagogue.
May 10, 2023, 3:01 PM (GMT+3) – Three people were murdered Tuesday night in a shooting attack near the El Ghriba Synagogue on the island of Djerba, Tunisia.
The two Jewish victims have been identified as cousins Aviel and Ben Hadad, one of whom was an Israeli citizen who resided in Tunisia, the other being a French national. The third victim was a security guard.
The terrorist opened fire during a gathering commemorating Lag BaOmer, attended by hundreds of local Jews and Israelis.
According to a report by AP , the terrorist was killed by security personnel who sought to prevent him from entering the synagogue. It was also reported that ten people were wounded in the attack. Following the shooting, hundreds of worshippers who were inside the synagogue were locked inside the building. Only a few hours later, security forces began evacuating the worshippers from the premises.
2 Jews murdered in attack on Tunisian synagogue Ido Ben Porat
Hundreds of Jews celebrating Lag Ba’Omer in Djerba synagogue lock themselves in compound after gunshots heard.
May 10, 2023, 7:47 AM – At least three people were murdered in an attack outside of a synagogue in Tunisia during Lag Ba’Omer celebrations Tuesday.
A former Tunisian naval guard shot and killed a colleague and two civilians on Tuesday near the synagogue on the island of Djerba as Lag Ba’Omer celebrations were taking place there, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said, according to The Associated Press.
One of the civilians killed in the attack has been identified as a local Jewish man, while the other has been identified as an Israeli national.
The attacker was killed by security guards seeking to prevent him from entering the synagogue, the ministry said in a statement. In addition to the dead, ten people were wounded in the attack.
The assailant is a guard affiliated with the National Guard naval center in the town of Aghir on Djerba. He first killed a colleague with his service weapon and then seized ammunition and sought to reach the Ghriba synagogue, the ministry said.
When he reached the area, he opened fire on security units stationed at the synagogue, which was locked down so that those inside were kept secure while authorities investigate the motives for the attack, the ministry said.
Several hours later, police forces began evacuating the worshipers from the synagogue.
It is unclear at this time whether the two civilians who were killed were among the worshipers in the synagogue at the time of the incident.
Djerba is home to one of the last Jewish communities in the Arab world, and the synagogue is believed to date to the sixth century BCE.
Palestinians unleash rockets as far as Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan DEBKAfile
May 10, 2023 @ 15:27 – Scores of rockets were launched without pause against a swiftly widening area of Israel up to the central city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday, May 10, more than a day after the IDF Gaza operation killed 3 Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza. The rockets targeted locations bordering on the enclave, before reaching the central Israel cities of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Rishon Lezion in the north and Netivot in the east. No casualties were immediately reported. Iron Dome batteries widely dispersed in readiness for Palestinian retaliation blew up most of the rockets in mid-air, while the IDF air force continuously bombed the rocket launch sites embedded in clusters in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF did not wait for the Islamic Jihad to decide when and how to retaliate for the loss of its leaders and many of its military assets to the Israeli operation. Early Wednesday an Islamic Jihad rocket squad was caught from the air and eliminated.
Netanyahu: Israel ready for multi-front war against Iran and terror proxies
May 9, 2023 – We are in the midst of a campaign. We are prepared for all possibilities. I suggest that our enemies not test us,” said the Israeli premier.
Israel is prepared for a multi-front conflict against Iran and its terrorist proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday after the Jewish state launched “Operation Shield and Arrow” against Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
“It’s clear that 95% of Israel’s security problems come from Iran,” the prime minister said in a Zoom address to a conference organized by the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF).
“We are dealing with an attempt by Iran to start a multi-front campaign against us. I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and security forces to be prepared for this fight. … If we need to, we will,” he added.
Defense Minister warns Israeli mayors to prepare for ‘prolonged campaign’ against Gaza By Pesach Benson, TPS
May 9, 2023 – Following targeted killing of three senior Islamic Jihad terrorists, Gallant warns that Israel may face sustained conflict with Gaza in the immediate future.
During a briefing for mayors of communities near the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the municipal leaders to be prepared for a “prolonged campaign” against the Palestinian terror groups.
“We must be prepared for any scenario, including a prolonged campaign with an extended range of fire,” Gallant said, according to remarks provided by the Defense Ministry.
“It is very important that the citizens, under your leadership, be disciplined, attentive, and listen to life-saving instructions. The IDF and the security forces are prepared with all means and on all fronts,” he said.
Gallant added, “The defense establishment will provide whatever assistance is required. I instructed the professionals to be in continuous contact with you and take care of everything required for the needs of the residents. You have our full support.”
Israel launched surprise air strikes on Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets, including killing three of the terror group’s senior figures on early Tuesday morning. Military positions belonging to Islamic Jihad were struck, including a rocket factory and a facility which produced concrete components for terror tunnels, the IDF said.
WATCH: In first, United Nations to commemorate Nakba Day
May 10, 2023 – Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan called on member states to not give in to the Palestinian leadership’s “slanderous campaign to rewrite history” and to boycott the “antisemitic event.”
WATCH: Arab driver mocks Israeli civilians running for shelter
May 10, 2023 – Despite the danger to himself as well, an Arab-Israeli truck driver made fun of Jewish Israeli civilians running for cover during a rocket attack from Gaza. (Courtesy Abu Ali Express)
[Ed.:
Israeli military evacuates thousands of Gaza-area residents
The Defense Ministry is busing people elsewhere in the country, where they are being put in hotels, hostels and guesthouses for the next few days.
May 10, 2023 – Thousands of Israelis living near Gaza have been evacuated since Tuesday’s targeted killings of three top Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Strip.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the evacuation in anticipation of retaliatory rocket fire from terrorist factions in Gaza.
Evacuees are being bused to hotels, hostels and guest houses throughout Israel, where they will be able to stay for three days, with the possibility of an extension depending on the security situation.
Many other Gaza-area residents have temporarily relocated to other parts of the country on their own initiative.
“The program is operated by the local authorities and allows every resident of the localities near the Gaza border to go on a respite with the aid of the state in guesthouses, specified in advance by the authorities,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, no rockets were fired from Gaza overnight. The army said, however, that restrictions would remain in place for residents close to the coastal enclave.
[Ed.: Kahane was right after all! Too bad they had him killed…]
