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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Archives - if original ceasefires had been extended the tunnels would never have been destroyed

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 17 September 2014:
It didn't take access to secret information to know that if the first series
of ceasefires had been extended indefinitely - as per the intentions of many
in the leadership - the tunnels would have never been destroyed. But many
people - including apparently many members of the Security Cabinet - were
clueless about this.
Read this series of items for a flavor of what transpired during
Operation Protective Edge.


#1 IDF Spokesperson to IMRA: No explosives used to destroy tunnels during
the
humanitarian ceasefire
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 26 July 2014

The IDF Spokesperson's Office told IMRA tonight that during the course of
the humanitarian ceasefire the IDF does not use explosives to destroy the
tunnels.

It should be noted that this means that tunnels are NOT being destroyed
during the humanitarian ceasefire

The IDF discovered at least 4 tunnels today.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA
================
#2 IDF Spokesperson reconfirms to IMRA: 4 tunnels found today but no tunnels
destroyed - as explosives cannot be detonated during the humanitarian
ceasefire
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 12:43 AM 27 July 2014

Following reports in the media that the IDF "handled" 4 tunnels on Saturday
during the humanitarian ceasefire:

The IDF Spokesperson's Office reconfirmed to IMRA that the 4 tunnels
discovered on Saturday were discovered but not destroyed. No tunnels have
been destroyed during the course of
the humanitarian ceasefire as the IDF detonates explosives to blow up the
tunnels and the IDF does not detonate explosives during the ceasefire.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA

================
#3 Observation: Why did PM Netanyahu agree to indefinitely freeze
destruction
of the tunnels?
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 27 July 2014

Late Friday night, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yaalon
decided to accept a humanitarian ceasefire during which the IDF would not
detonate any explosives. The only way to destroy the tunnels is with
explosives.

The ceasefire has already been extended twice by the Security Cabinet.

Unlike the earlier humanitarian pauses that were clearly to be of limited
duration when they were agreed to, it is the hope and intention of the
international community that this humanitarian ceasefire will be extended
until a long term ceasefire is established.

Simply put: By accepting this principle for this humanitarian ceasefire, PM
Netanyahu has set the precedent that Israel will accept conditions under
which the tunnels are never destroyed.

Why did he do it?

Possibility #1: Washington came up with such a good threat that PM
Netanyahu felt compelled to give in.

Speculation regarding the nature of the threat ranges from having the FAA
renew the ban of flights to Ben Gurion to American support for a
"humanitarian flotilla" of supply ships that would offload in Gaza.

Problem: If the threat works once it will be repeated over and over again.
That's the way blackmail works.

Possibility #2: Prime Minister Netanyahu is convinced that if conditions
prevent Israel from destroying the tunnels that the international community
will allow Israel to establish a buffer zone within the Gaza Strip so that
instead of blowing up the tunnels and leaving, the IDF will continually
operate in the buffer zone, seeking out and sealing up tunnels as they are
discovered.

Problem: Is it reasonable to make decisions now based on the assumption
that the United States - or anyone else in the world community - will
support such an arrangement?

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA
================
#4 IDF Spokesperson to IMRA: IDF can use explosives but hasn't destroyed any
tunnels during the humanitarian ceasefire
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 7:30 AM 27 July 2014

At 12:43 AM 27 July 2014 the IDF Spokesperson's Office reconfirmed to Dr.
Aaron Lerner of IMRA that the 4 tunnels discovered on Saturday were
discovered but not destroyed and that no tunnels have been destroyed during
the course of the humanitarian ceasefire as the IDF detonates explosives to
blow up the tunnels and the IDF does not detonate explosives during the
ceasefire.

At 7:30 AM 27 July 2014 the IDF Spokesperson's Office, in response to
questions, told Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA that overnight the IDF used
explosives in two tunnels.

Lerner asked if the IDF has destroyed any tunnels with explosives.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office, after checking, replied to Lerner that no
tunnels have been destroyed during the ceasefire but that explosives are
also used for various purposes inside the tunnels besides for destroying
the tunnels and that overnight the IDF used explosives in two tunnels and
that the IDF can use explosives to destroy tunnels during the ceasefire if
it wants to but it hasn't yet.

IMRA will continue following this issue and will report towards the end of
the day how many tunnels were destroyed during the course of the day.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA

==================
#5 IDF Spokesperson to IMRA: Filling tunnels and destroying them are two
methods used to reach the same goal
Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 27 July 2014

The following is an exchange of e-mails with the IDF:


#1 Question

From: Dr. Aaron Lerner
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 9:03 AM
To: idfnadesk@gmail.com
Subject: Questions from IMRA about tunnels

Greetings,

#1. Does the IDF consider a tunnel whose discovered shafts have been filled
and/or destroyed to be a "neutralized tunnel"?

#2. Has the mission during the humanitarian ceasefire switched from
"destroying tunnels" to "neutralizing tunnels"?

Thanks.

Best regards,
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
_____________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations
Website: www.imra.org.il


#2 Reply
From: IDF North American Media Desk
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 9:51 AM
To: Dr. Aaron Lerner
Subject: Re: Questions from IMRA about tunnels

Hi Aaron,

During Operation Protective Edge, the IDF has been using various methods to
damage the Hamas terror tunnel network, including both filling and
detonating the tunnels. Methods are selected on a case-by-case basis and
based on different operational considerations. The IDF has continued to
employ various methods to neutralize Hamas terror tunnels during the
humanitarian ceasefire.

Below please find a video of a tunnel detonated last night.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/WqVxMKto4Q8

Best,
L (AL: IMRA not showing full name)
North American Media Desk
Spokesperson's Unit
Israel Defense Forces
Office | +972 (0) 2.548.5800
Fax | +972 (0) 2.548.5825
nadesk@idfspokesperosn.com
Website | www.idf.il/english
Twitter | www.twitter.com/idfspokesperson
Blog | www.idfspokesperson.com
YouTube | www.youtube.com/idfnadesk
Flickr | www.flickr.com/idfonline
Scribd | www.scribd.com/idfnonline

#3 Follow up question
From: Dr. Aaron Lerner
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 10:09 AM
To: IDF North American Media Desk
Subject: Please answer directly the Questions from IMRA about tunnels

Dear L (AL: IMRA not showing full name),

Thanks for the answer.

I would like to clarify my question.

I am not asking about activities during the ENTIRE course so far of
Operation Protective Edge but instead activities during the humanitarian
ceasefire.

My questions:

#1. Does the IDF consider a tunnel whose discovered shafts have been filled
and/or destroyed to be a "neutralized tunnel"?

#2. Has the mission during the humanitarian ceasefire switched from
"destroying tunnels" to "neutralizing tunnels"?


The video you provide a link to is of a tunnel opening being destroyed from
the air is a tunnel opening which was being used to fire an anti-tank rocket
at a Golani vehicle. This is the destruction of a tunnel as an act to
provide air support for troops under attack. My question relates to the
operation underway to destroy the tunnels discovered – not what the IDF is
doing in order to provide air support for troops under attack.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Aaron

#4 Follow up reply

From: IDF North American Media Desk
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 10:26 AM
To: Dr. Aaron Lerner
Subject: Re: Please answer directly the Questions from IMRA about tunnels

Filling tunnels and destroying them are two methods used to reach the same
goal, to prevent these terror tunnels from being used ever again to target
Israeli civilians. Both methods were used during the humanitarian cease
fire.

We cannot specify what method was used for each tunnel destroyed.


North American Media Desk
Spokesperson's Unit
Israel Defense Forces
Office | +972 (0) 2.548.5800
Fax | +972 (0) 2.548.5825
nadesk@idfspokesperosn.com
Website | www.idf.il/english
Twitter | www.twitter.com/idfspokesperson
Blog | www.idfspokesperson.com
YouTube | www.youtube.com/idfnadesk
Flickr | www.flickr.com/idfonline
Scribd | www.scribd.com/idfnonline
________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
=====================
#6 [IMRA: with ceasefire over] IDF Footage - IDF Detonates Tunnel Network

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: With the transition from a "humanitarian
ceasefire" to "quiet for quiet", the IDF today detonated tunnels with
explosives rather than "neutralizing" them by filling the tunnel shafts with
dirt for the terrorists to dig out after the IDF leaves. ]

IDF News Desk
IDF Footage - IDF Detonates Tunnel Network
Location : Tel Aviv
Published on Jul 27, 2014

An inside look at an underground tunnel leading from Gaza to Israel. This
tunnel would have enabled terrorists to infiltrate Israel and carry out
attacks. It was discovered and detonated by the IDF's Golani Brigade and
Combat Engineering Corps.
Video:
http://youtu.be/5-hH2026OnU?list=UUawNWlihdgaycQpO3zi-jYg

________________________________________
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

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