| Palestinian militants launched a barrage of rockets into southern Israel |
| 14 Nov 2008 |
| Following an Israeli air force attack on an alleged rocket launching pad in the Gaza Strip on 14 November 2008, Palestinian militants launched a barrage of rockets into southern Israel; in contrast to other recent attacks, the rockets used were Soviet-made Grad rockets (the longest range rocket that Hamas is said to possess) as opposed to typical Qassam rockets. Approximately five Grad missiles (which have a maximum range of 15 mi/25 km) were launched toward the coastal city of Ashkelon, which in the several months prior to the implementation of a ceasefire in June 2008 had experienced several rocket attacks but has not been hit as frequently since the truce went into effect. Several of the missiles landed on the city's outskirts while at least one hit an area in the city center; several individuals were treated for shock, but there were no reports of damage or injuries. Additionally, as many as eight shorter-range Qassam rockets -- used very frequently by militants based in the Gaza Strip -- were also launched, landing in and around Sderot (which has been hit frequently); several buildings were damaged and at least one person was injured by shrapnel.
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| Additional police officers deployed throughout Acre to prevent further incidents of violence |
| 10 Oct 2008 |
| As of 10 October 2008 as many as 700 additional police officers have been deployed throughout Acre to prevent further incidents of violence. After rioting and violence between Jews and Israeli Arabs overnight on 8-9 October 2008, renewed violence was reported on 9 October in the port city. Following the end of Yom Kippur at sundown, Jewish youths gathered near the entrances of Arab neighborhoods, but were prevented from entering them by security forces. Authorities used water hoses to disperse participants, who threw rocks and other objects at one another and burned tires. Violence was reported at the city's train station as well as in the Old City area, where a large portion of the Israeli Arab population is concentrated. Authorities temporarily cordoned off all roads leading into Acre so as to isolate the violence, but because tensions have been stoked, further clashes are likely to occur.
The violence initially erupted late on 8 October, when a group of youths attacked an Israeli Arab driver who they claim was intentionally causing disturbances while driving during the Yom Kippur holiday. News of the attack spread, causing hundreds of Israeli Arabs to take to the streets near the Ben Gurion neighborhood and clash with Jews. As many as 40 stores and shops (mostly Jewish-owned businesses) and 120 vehicles were damaged in the 8 October rioting. The violence is the worst between the two communities in years, and as such, Israeli authorities are now on a high alert in areas where there is a mixed population of Jews and Arabs, including in Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Ramle and Lod. At least one minor incident was reported in Jerusalem on 10 October, where three Arab youths reportedly threw rocks at a Jewish yeshiva located on Moshe Bar-Am Street; no damage or injuries resulted from the incident. Although this is an alarming development as it may be linked to the Acre violence and could result in tit-for-tat incidents, it is important to note that there have been sporadic incidents of minor violence between the Jewish and Arab communities in Jerusalem in recent years.
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| Violence and rioting occurred in Acre |
| 09 Oct 2008 |
| Violence and low-level rioting occurred in the city of Acre (located approximately 60 mi/98 km from Tel Aviv) during the overnight hours of 8-9 October 2008, after a group of youths attacked an Israeli Arab man who was driving his vehicle on a busy commercial thoroughfare. The incident occurred at approximately 0000 local time (2200 UTC) on 8 October. Jews are currently celebrating the Yom Kippur holiday, during which Israel largely shuts down; many observant Jews consider driving a prohibited activity on this day. The attackers alleged that the Israeli Arab man was "making noise intentionally" and attacked his vehicle. The victim claimed that he was driving to a property he owned and was not causing intentional disruption. Following reports of the attack, hundreds of people rioted on Ben Ami Street, damaging vehicles and property until being dispersed by Israeli security forces.
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| Palestinian man drives into a group of soldiers |
| 23 Sep 2008 |
| Late on 22 September 2008 a Palestinian man used his vehicle as a weapon as he drove into a group of soldiers and pedestrians waiting at a bus stop at a busy intersection in Jerusalem. Authorities stated that the incident was a deliberate attack; it occurred at approximately 2300 local time in West Jerusalem near the Old City (and in close proximity to Tzahal Square and the Jaffa Gate). As many as 15 people were injured, while a bystander shot dead the attacker, whom authorities identified as a 19-ear old resident of Jebel Mukaber, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem. There are no known connections between the Palestinian and any known militant groups, and no group has claimed responsibility; however, the Islamic Jihad praised the attack.
Shortly after the incident occurred Haredi (ultra-Orthodox Jews) residents gathered near the crash site, where they chanted such slogans as "Death to Arabs" and attempted to march toward East Jerusalem (which is predominantly Arab) but were stopped by authorities. Unconfirmed reports stated that several Haredi residents attacked or attempted to attack Arabs.
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| two recent unsuccessful kidnapping attempts against Israelis by Hizballah |
| 02 Sep 2008 |
| Israeli officials have announced that there were two recent unsuccessful kidnapping attempts against Israelis by Hizballah. Very few details regarding the alleged attempts were released, but the development comes weeks after Israeli authorities issued a warning regarding the potential for Hizballah to attempt kidnappings against Israelis abroad in retaliation for the February 2008 assassination of a high-ranking Hizballah leader in Syria. Hizballah blames Israel for the assassination and has threatened revenge; Israel continues to take the threats seriously and has in recent months increased security at Israeli interests worldwide and issued warnings about kidnapping attempts. In the most recent development, it was reported that Hizballah agents attempted to kidnap Israeli businessmen abroad in two separate incidents. However, no further information, such as when or where the incidents reportedly occurred, was released. The most recent warning by the Israeli government stated that the threat applies worldwide, while previous statements have mentioned west Africa and South America as areas of particular concern. |
| 2nd attack with a bulldozer within a month |
| 22 Jul 2008 |
| On 22 July 2008 a Palestinian man went on a rampage in central West Jerusalem using a bulldozer in an attack similar to one that took place on 2 July. It appears that the attacker took the bulldozer from a construction site near the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, from where he travelled toward Liberty Bell Park located near the corner of Keren Hayesod and King David streets. The perpetrator attacked a public bus and several vehicles before being shot dead; as many as 16 people were injured, but the attacker's death was the only fatality.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the scene and are reportedly searching for two additional suspects who may have assisted the attacker, who has yet to be identified. It is believed that the attacker worked at the construction site from where the bulldozer was taken. Security was already tight in Jerusalem, as U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama was scheduled to arrive at the King David Hotel later in the day to kick off the Israel portion of his Middle East trip. The upscale hotel is located on King David Street, only a few blocks away from the scene of the attack. The incident also occurred a short distance away from the official residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was hosting a meeting there with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the time of the attack.
At this time, there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack. This most recent attack appears to be a copycat of the 2 July act, but inflicted less damage than the previous incident, which was perpetrated by a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem who took a bulldozer from a nearby construction site where he worked. Several groups claimed responsibility for the 2 July attack, but no official links to militant groups were established and it is believed that the attacker was acting alone. Authorities have identified the perpetrator in the 22 July attack as being a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem as well, but it is not known if he had any links to militant groups. No motive has been established for the attack, and it remains unknown if its timing has any connection to Obama's visit or the talks with the Palestinian president. |
| Man attacks pedestrians & vehciles with a bulldozer |
| 02 Jul 2008 |
| On 2 July 2008 a Palestinian man used a bulldozer to attack pedestrians and vehicles in the downtown Jerusalem area. The incident began at approximately 0900 UTC on the main Jaffa Road in West Jerusalem; at least three people were killed and more than 40 others were injured. The man crushed several vehicles and overturned an Egged public bus before he was shot and injured by a civilian and then shot again and killed by security personnel. The attacker reportedly worked at a local construction company, which is why he had access to the bulldozer. Authorities declared a state of emergency in Jerusalem following the incident, but stated that they expected to lift it in the course of the day. For the time being, Israeli authorities will likely maintain increased security measures in the area, which may lengthen travel times or impede travel.
Authorities have identified the attacker as a 32-year old Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem. According to an Israeli media source, three groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials believe that the perpetrator acted alone. Hamas, which is currently observing a cease-fire agreement with Israel, denied any connection to the attack, which the Islamic Jihad praised but did not claim any responsibility for. Israeli officials have stated that the attack was likely politically motivated, possibly in response to the situation in Gaza or Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and/or West Bank.
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| Cease-fire agreement reached |
| 18 Jun 2008 |
| On 17 June 2008 Israeli and Hamas officials announced that the two sides reached a cease-fire agreement. The agreement is the culmination of several months of negotiations brokered by Egypt, and is scheduled to take effect at 0300 UTC on 19 June. The implementation is reportedly broken down into multiple phases, during the first of which both sides will halt hostilities (Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel and Israeli military operations/targeted attacks in Gaza) and at least partially reopen some of Gaza's borders. During the second stage, Israel and Hamas will reportedly make efforts to reopen the Rafah border terminal crossing between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip as well as to secure the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
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