Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 27, 2008 Adar1 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 15:37 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

IDF Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin, speaking Tuesday to a Knesset panel. (Maya Levin) Last update - 18:53 26/02/2008 MI Chief: Terrorists trained in Syria, Iran have infiltrated Gaza By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: assassination, Mughniyah  Military Intelligence Chief Major General Amos Yadlin on Tuesday said that while the border between Gaza and Egypt was breached last month, terrorists trained in Syria and Iran had infiltrated the Strip. Referring to an incident last month when Hamas militants blew holes in the border fence between Gaza and Egypt, allowing hundreds of thousands of Gazans to cross the border freely, Yadlin said that this breach also allowed terror activists, trained in Syria and Iran, to infiltrate the Strip. He said these activists had undergone workshops and intensive training in all military fields. Presenting the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee with a general security assessment, Yadlin estimated that large amounts of money and ammunition also made their way into the Gaza Strip during the 12 days in which the border was breached. Advertisement Army Radio quoted Yadlin as saying that Al-Qaida operatives had also infiltrated the Strip through the breach. Yadlin said that Gazans that had entered Egypt through holes in the fence had spent $150 million on various products. Yadlin spoke one day after a demonstration against Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip, expected to be tens of thousands strong, turned out a disappointing 5,000 people. Hamas vowed early Monday to use any means to end the Israeli embargo on the Gaza Strip, and Israel was concerned that the demonstrators would attempt to breach the border. He said that the Palestinians have not abandoned the plan to hold a mass protest along the Strip's borders with Israel and Egypt. Military Intelligence: Iran could have nukes by 2010 Yadlin also told the Knesset committee Tuesday that Iran could conceivably develop a "nuclear option" within two years. The intelligence official added that the Iranians were continuing the development of nuclear material as well as nuclear weapons and will likely achieve a viable weapon in 2010. Yadlin presented a list of existing Iranian weapons and those in development. Among other things, Iran has an arsenal of Shihab 3 missiles with a 1,300 kilometer range, Yadlin said. These missiles could potentially strike Israel. The Iranians are also developing an upgraded version of the Shihab, which will have a range of 2,000. This kind of range would allow the firing of missiles at Israel from deep inside Iran, rather than close to the border, Yadlin explained. Yadlin also said that a missile that Iran officially presented as a means to propel satellites into space, was actually an upgraded Shihab missile painted with civilian colors. In addition to the Shihab missiles, the Iranians are developing a weapon propelled by solid fuel that would also have a 2,000 kilometer range, Yadlin said. He added that the Iranians were assembling BM25 missiles that were arriving dismantled from North Korea. These missiles are believed to have a range of 2,500-3,000 kilometers, but the North Koreans never tested them. Yadlin on Hezbollah: Vengeance is an integral part of Shiite culture Referring to the February 12 car bombing assassination of Hezbollah terror mastermind Imad Mughniyah, Yadlin said that vengeance is an integral part of Shiite culture. Speaking to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yadlin said that in seeking to retaliate for the assassination, which it has publicly blamed on Israel, the group's goal is to generate deterrence and to strike Israel with severity. At the same time, he added, Hezbollah is having great difficulty moving in south Lebanon due to the presence of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force. It also must contend with unwanted comparisons to Al Qaida if it strikes targets abroad, Yadlin said. According to Yadlin, Hezbollah is not interested in confrontation in Lebanon and does not want a "second round" with Israel, as it has yet to complete the rebuilding of its forces following the 2006 war. Neither does Hezbollah desire a civil war because "it understands what the results would be." Yadlin said that Hezbollah may wait until the end of the traditional 40-day mourning period to avenge the death of Mughniyah. He based his assessment on past instances in which the organization has promised to retaliate for the slaying of a commander. He cited the 1992 truck bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, which followed the IDF assassination of then-Hezbollah leader Abbas Musawi. The blast killed 29 people. Labor MK and former Mossad chief Danny Yatom responded that "Israel must be prepared prior to the end of the 40-day period as well. Yatom also reacted to a Monday report that Mughniyah's widow blamed Syria for the killing. "The Syrian traitors are responsible for his death," Army Radio quoted her as telling a press conference in Tehran. "Damascus' refusal to allow Iran to investigate the incident is further proof," she said. "Hezbollah has no leads," Yatom said. A United States federal judge said Monday that Iran must pay more than $33 million dollars to the family of a U.S.-born Israeli diplomat killed in the 1992 terror attack in Argentina U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle said Iran was responsible for the bombing of the Israeli Embassy, ordering that damages to be paid to the family of diplomat David Ben-Rafael, who was born in the United States before emigrating to Israel. Hezbollah accepted responsibility for the bombing, and the United States has held Iran responsible for helping finance and organize the group's activities. U.S. law normally prevents people from suing foreign nations, but an exception is made for nations that support terrorism. Iran was designated a state sponsor of terror in 1984. Related articles: Report: Widow of slain Hezbollah terrorist blames Syria for killing ANALYSIS: Hezbollah terror chief was more wanted than Nasrallah Israel embassies on high alert following Mughniyah killing Bookmark to del.icio.us   Chicken or the egg? A UN human rights expert says Palestinian terror 'inevitable' result of occupation. A reason to kvell Jews are America's top-earning religious group, according to a new survey.   1.   Bring it on! 17:18  |  Yossi Meimad 26/02/08   2.   And where did "an eye for an eye"came from? 17:34  |  Mark B. 26/02/08   3.   Destroy the terrorists. 17:37  |  Jean Van Daem 26/02/08   4.   Re 1: WHERE WERE YOU DURING WAR WITH HEZB? HIDNG IN BOMB SHELTER? 17:40  |  JACKAL 26/02/08   5.   vengence!!! 17:42  |  ljf-canada 26/02/08   6.   Hezbollah`s Plan 17:46  |  Joe Mizrahi 26/02/08   7.   #2 - Mark - "Eye for an Eye" 18:00  |  Jabotinsky 26/02/08   8.   aww the idf doesn`t like vengeance 18:03  |  John The Baptist 26/02/08   9.   8 John the Baptist. Wait a second.You didn`t like the pizza? Then 18:25  |  Mario (pizza maven) 26/02/08   10.   John the Baptist 18:52  |  x-ray 26/02/08   11.   LOL @ Israeli fearmongers & the indoctrinated public 19:02  |  POP 26/02/08   12.   Vengeance 19:08  |  Sam 26/02/08   13.   All said thats fit to print. 19:13  |  Stephen. 26/02/08   14.   Israel desperate to link Al Qaeda with HAMAS 19:27  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/02/08   15.   TERRORISTS IN GAZA??? RETAKE GAZA, WIPE OUT TERROR,RESETTLE ARABS 19:44  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 26/02/08   16.   To Chris Linthwaite #14 19:49  |  dovale 26/02/08   17.   I DID SO MUCH 4 PALESTNIANS:BULDOZERED GUSH QATIF & STILL TERROR? 19:50  |  ARIK SHARON: I`M OK) 26/02/08   18.   Israel fights the war of the West. 19:51  |  Jean Van Daem 26/02/08   19.   Response to Jabotinsky 19:59  |  Mark B. 26/02/08   20.   #16 dovale 20:10  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/02/08   21.   pointless for hamastanis to `train.` all will burn soon. 20:23  |  frenz 26/02/08   22.   Infiltration is the wrong word! 20:38  |  Paul 26/02/08   23.   AND THUS SAID; 20:41  |  THE TEACHER/INSTRUCT 26/02/08   24.   No, Chris Linthwaite, Iran does not 20:57  |  JJ 26/02/08   25.   Military channel 21:23  |  Paul 26/02/08   26.   JJ of Orlando 21:27  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/02/08   27.   The future keeps looking brighter and brighter for Israelis 21:35  |  Tamir 26/02/08   28.   "Eye for an eye" the Law of Hammurabi 22:06  |  AliciaYasmeen 26/02/08   29.   To Chris Linthwaite 22:14  |  The Judge 26/02/08   30.   exactly 22:42  |  Pitcher 26/02/08   31.   #POP and the indoctinated public 22:52  |  H 26/02/08   32.   #26Chris L.condemned ahmedinejad in the strongest terms.Now indra 00:44  |  Vittorio 27/02/08   33.   #4 JACKAL - You weren`t there were you? 01:25  |  * BEN JABO 27/02/08   34.   #11 POP 01:27  |  POP`S POP 27/02/08   35.   Another zionist invention, STOP LYING!!! 01:28  |  Moise 27/02/08   36.   Rambam first things first: upon entering the Land 01:58  |  Joseph . E 27/02/08   37.   Hezbollah nvr accepted responsibility 11:54  |  They Denied it 27/02/08   38.   #35 Moise - what are U talking about?? 15:33  |  * BEN JABO 27/02/08

Today Online Shmuel Rosner: Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Responses: 23 Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit Responses: 50 Japanese PM to Haaretz: Response to Iran must be resolute Responses: 35 Jewish groups mull UN racism meet after Israel decides to skip Responses: 74 Amira Hass: For Palestinians, an unarmed struggle would be suicide Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Jews mostly stay Jewish (WTR) Would Obama be supportive of an Israel governed by Likud? Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? Obama`s top adviser says does not believe in imposing a peace settlement More Headlines 14:12 At least 6 Palestinians killed in IDF strikes in West Bank, Gaza 14:37 MKs back bill to block porn, gambling sites for Israeli surfers 15:10 Obama: I'm a 'stalwart friend' of Israel, its security is 'sacrosanct' 14:50 Tel Aviv bus company cuts Sabbath afternoon services 13:50 Police chief: If necessary, I'd okay Peki'in operation again 11:21 Japanese PM to Haaretz: World response to Iran nukes must be resolute 11:18 Abbas: Hamas helping Al-Qaida establish base in Gaza Strip 07:29 Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit 14:14 Where the wheel stops, nobody knows 12:52 Omri Sharon begins 7-month prison term for fraud 13:37 MKs plan to cancel Katsav's benefits despite indictment Previous Editions Select Day 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb

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