Jordan confirms rocket strike in Red Sea port city
Following reports of blasts, Israeli security forces search Eilat area, believed to be target of strike.
By Amos Harel and The Associated Press Tags: Israel news Jordan IDFJordanian officials confirmed Thursday that a rocket launched from outside the country struck a refrigerated warehouse the Red Sea port city of Aqaba.
The confirmation came after two rockets were fired early Thursday morning from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula toward the southern Israeli city of Eilat. This was the first time a rocket has been fired at the resort town in almost five years.
Jordanian Information Minister Nabil al-Sharif said initial investigations indicate the rocket was a Russian-designed Grad that was fired from beyond Jordan's borders. He said authorities continue to look into the explosion to determine exactly from where the missile was launched.
Al-Sharif, who is also a government spokesman, said the rocket damaged a refrigerated warehouse on Aqaba's northern outskirts. No deaths or injuries were reported.
Aqaba residents reported hearing at least two early morning explosions in the city. Eilat residents also reported hearing explosions at around 5 A.M. An Israeli supervisor at the Sinai border instructed police to close down the crossing and to warn tourists in the area.
Security forces and police scoured the area, but found no indication of what caused the explosion. Shortly after, the crossing was reopened to traffic.
The Israel Defense Forces said searches were conducted in the Eilat area after the reports of explosions, but they had found no evidence of anything landing in Israel.
The incident occurred as jitters were high a week after Israel issued an urgent warning to its citizens to leave Egypt's nearby Sinai Peninsula immediately, citing concrete evidence of an expected terrorist attempt to kidnap Israelis in Sinai.
Israel's anti-terror office, which issued the warning, maintains a standing travel advisory telling Israelis to stay out of the Sinai desert because of the threat of terror attacks.
An Egyptian security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release information to the media, denied reports that rockets were fired from Sinai on Thursday.
Jordan's King Abdullah II was in neighboring Egypt on Thursday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak. It was not immediately clear whether the leaders would discuss the attack.
The damaged warehouse was at an industrial complex at the entrance of Aqaba, 350 kilometers south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
In 2005, al-Qaida terrorists used the area to fire Katyusha rockets at a U.S. warship docked in the port there.
The rockets missed the ship but hit a Jordanian military warehouse, killing a Jordanian soldier. Eight al-Qaida terrorists were arrested and later received prison terms ranging from seven years to death sentences.
In 2001, Jordan's security forces captured Hezbollah activists from Lebanon who planned to fire missiles at Eilat from Aqaba. A year later, an unknown Beirut-based organization said it was planning to bomb several areas in Israel from Jordan, including Eilat, Beit She'an and Tiberias.
The Grad, known as the BM-21 Grad, is a truck-mounted 122-mm multiple rocket launcher developed in the early 1960s in the Soviet Union. Military experts say its maximum range is 40 kilometers (25 miles).
Israel's defense establishment and the Jordanian security forces coordinated an investigation into the incident, after initial reports Thursday placed the source of the rockets in southern Jordan. No group has yet taken responsibility for the attack.
Eilat, at the northern tip of the Red Sea, is a popular resort for Israelis and foreign holiday-makers. It was largely spared the violence faced by other Israeli cities during the intifada and subsequent years. The city was hit in January 2007 by a suicide bomber, killing three people.
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The southern Israeli city of Eilat |
| Photo by: (Mori Chen) |
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"These militants out of control" should be controlled by Palestinians and with help of real supporters of Palestinians. And the same for, extreme militants and any illegally acting settlers should be controlled by Israel state and goverment. All these must be done immediately. Further, to reach a peace with "two state and two capitals", BIG SUPPORT from Palestinians and along with from peace supporters in Israel shoud be given to present USA goverment.
Of course not. Jordan officially is not an enemy state. And this rocket incident is not normal and so different from what is happening between Gaza and Israel. When Jordan allow thousands of rockets to rain on Israel, yes. Israel will attack Jordan. You can bet on it. So think, before giving stupid comments like this.
Perhaps it is safer to go to the Sinai instead of playing sitting duck in Eilat?
Gil, I take your point; indeed, Israel has no policy for returning Jewish refugees to Arab countries. I would also imagine that few Jewish refugees from those countries would want to return even if invited. My comments (#34&35) were addressed to earlier posts that stated or implied that no one other than the Palestians spoke of or were granted a right of return. Clearly, they overlooked an obvious example. I think you knew that and were just jerking my chain. I have no problem whatsoever with Israel's Law of Return. Further, I think Jews expelled from any country, Arab or otherwise, should be entitled to compensation and/or a right to return.
Alma Perdida Israel has no policy for returning Jewish refugees to Arab countries, Even though, Jews have lived there for thousands of years!
Will, you ask: "Speaking of history, name one other situation where the children (and now grandchildren and great grandchildren) are also counted amongst the refugees." That's an easy one: the Israeli Law of Return.
You state: "No other refugee has a right to return nor is their status heridtary (sic") Doesn't this contradict Israel's policy toward "returning" Jews?
There is no actual peace between the three countries. A little correction and re-phrasing is require: you should learn to distinguish between what you don't like and between reality. This is One more example of the Israeli obsession with the Pales.that started since 1917 actually the pal trouble started in 1860. and did not change its terrorist ways since then. Remember: if you want your own state in Aretz israel, then give up on your unrealistic demands for Jerusalem. It will never be Palestinian, but stays in Israel. In your other posts I see, that you intertwine Islamic and Jewish history. No wonder, because Islam is an ofshoot of Judaism and has misappropriated biblical history.
Philistini What historical events would those be, By the way Philistini did you know that Tzippori (Hebrew) Suffuriyeh (Arabic) Was a JEWISH town for over 2000 years, A town that during the first temple 1000 BC, During the second temple and the Hashmonic era 167 - 63 BC, And during the Grate Rebellion of 66 to 70 it was the only Jewish town that was not destroyed. At the end of the second century the Jewish Sanhedrin moved to Tzippori, and at the year 220 Rabbi Yehoda Hanasi finished the compiler of the Mishna in Tzippori, During the 4 century Tzippori was considered a very big city with 18,000 Jews, Tzippori scholars took part in the making of the Talmod Yeroshlami completed at the 4 century, and at the year 351 Tzippori was the place were the rebellion against Galos began. During the Byzantine period the Tzippori still was Jewish Town with a Jewish majority and a Christian minority. At the Year 363 there was an earthquake the city was rebuild, and was a Jewish town till the middle of the 5 century. From the middle of the 5 century, Tzippori is made up of a mixed Jewish Christian community, the Jewish community shrinks but is still beating and kicking. During the 7 century after the first Arab conquest Tzippori name is changed to Saffuriyeh. During the Christian Crusades (1099 to 1290) Tzippori name is changed to Saffuri and a church and a fortress is built there by the Christian crusades. After the battle of Hattin the fortress is demolished Mamluks, and probably, so was the town! This Marks the 2000 years of Jewish presence in Tzippori. At the end of the Mamluk Period, Somewhere at the beginning of the Ottoman period, probably between 1516 and 1561 (Only 500 years ago), an Arab Village named Saffuriyeh was built on top of the old Jewish Town of Tzippori! The Arabs call it Saffurijeh The Christians Saffuri The Jews restored its name to its original name Tzippori!
Philistini If you had any historic understanding, You would know that Hagar was an Egyptian, not a Canaanite, So, Philistini, it is time you the Arab ?Palestinians? should start making up your mind who you really are in your grate fantasy land! By the way, If we are discussing Isac and Ismail now Do remind me who was actually married to Abraham, You know the landlord`s wife, Hagar mother of Ismail or Sarah the mother of Isac?
It looks that your head is full of fakes which in turn start to make you say non-sense, You the jewish community looks for the historical events that suit your claima and justifications to legalise your occupation.
The jewish people belong to the prophit Isac and Arab to prophit Ismail and both came from the same grandfather Abraham.
Phlistini So you the Arab ?Palestinians? were living in the land of Israel for ages Where have I heard that before, Oh right MK Jamal Zhlka Resident of Kfar Kara, Founded during the 18th century By the Arab?Torchman Bedouin tribe, and Egyptian Bedouins That means, Zhlka`s ancestors came to the territory within the Green Line [Israel] just 200 years ago. From Arabia or Egypt. Sadly for you Phlistini, The one with the identity crisis, The story of each and every Arab ?Palestinian?, Is quite the same as that of MK Jamal Zhlka! Who also has his own identity crisis! It must be in the genes!
Yes, we are proud to be generated from the Canaaite trible, and also to our grate grate grandfather Abraham. It is a real arrogance to say that Abraham was the garndfather of the jewish people, The jewish people belong to the prophit Isac and Arab to prophit Ismail and both came from the same grandfather Abraham. We do have a burial connection to Abraham (peace upon him) the same as you.
Let me get this straight. Some terrorists sneak into the Egyptian Sinai and shoot two Katyusha rockets at Eilat but miss completely and hit an ice cream storage facility in the Jordanian port of Aqaba instead. That's better than a Laurel and Hardy movie! Great shooting guys!
...liberals in the West continue their criticism of Israel. I'm a Zionist and I'm proud of it.
Phlistini Since you are speaking very highly about Israel occupying historical Palestine Ever heard of The Mandate for Palestine July 24, 1922 Do read it! P.S. Sorry Mr. the land you think is occupied, Really belongs to us with the consent of the League of Nations! Actually Emir Faisal the Pan Arab leader agreed in a signed document to give us the Jewish people, Jordan (the eastern part of Mandatory Palestine) too!
Israel has been attacked from Gaza for 8 years with rockets killing many innocent civilians including children like Dorit Benisian and Yuval Abebeh. Weather there is a UN mandate or not every responsible government has a duty to protect its citizens and Israel is doing just that. There is only one Jewish state in the world and the UN. How many Arab + Islamic states in the UN?
Phlistini Oh so you are a Canaanite how wonderful, So, I take it that as a Muslim you have decided to dump your claims to being connected somehow to Abraham. Well if so, you may leave the cave of the patriarchs in Hebron, since as a Canaanite you have no connection to that burial place! By the way Phlistini, Abraham the grate, grate grandfather of the Jewish people bought the cave of the patriarchs in Hebron for 400 Shekels from Efron Ha-Hitti presumably (though I doubt it) your grate, grate grandfather, so as you can understand it rightfully belongs to the Jewish people! Philistini You Arab ?Palestinians? should decide, who you are, it is so confusing one time you people claim to be Canaanites, one time you claim to be Philistines, one time you claim to be Hittites, and one time you claim to be connected to Abraham, Sorry Mr. your people the Arab ?Palestinians? can?t have it all ways! It is just sad to see a person with an identity crisis!
So sick of all the bleeding hearts chiming in on the situation. Mostly Europeans, some Canadians and Americans. None of you have any clue what you're talking about. I know you're all sorry Hitler didn't finish the job. Israel exists and will continue to exist. Get over it.
Myles--I support a two state solution and oppose the new settlement in East Jerusalem, but at the same time strongly believe in Zionism and Israel's right to exist. I think you are also doing what you are accusing others of--cherry picking from history. Lebanon and Jordan are as much to blame (or more) than Israel for the "refugee" issues. Speaking of history, name one other situation where the children (and now grandchildren and great grandchildren) are also counted amongst the refugees. And that is ignoring your vitriloic statement about ethnic cleansing etc.
Aside from the fact that reports are very sketchy now, I am surprised that some Israeli's are already calling on an attack on Egypt and Jordan. Truly, years of peace and cooperation mean nothing to them. Egyptian border guards in the Gaza area have long since been subject to fire from the IDF, and Egypt has in most instances suppressed the deaths as 'friendly fire' fatalities. Moreover - Israel has held off attacking Iran up until now at the request of the Americans. I find it highly unlikely that Egypt and/or Jordan would be considered by the Americans as acceptable targets for an airstrike - not by a long shot.
These criminals must be punished. Last time they killed Jordanian soldier.Later they killed scores in Taba and Sharm el-sheih and now this. Jordanian or Egyptian authorities must bring them to justice and punish them with long jail terms so others will learn.
Tho only way to have peace
As I stated before, unless one is a Native American, a United States citizen has no right in commenting on ?Israel occupation? (considering the US war on Native Americans, forced relocations thousands of miles from their homes and genocide) and peopled who hide behind nicknames offend me and if you would stand up behind your real name perhaps, you might have more credibility. The fact is that the Arabs do not want peace ? it was offered to Arafat well over a decade ago. Gaza and 95% of the West Bank was offered to build a Palestinian state & that was refused. Lest anyone forget, Israel has fought numerous wars and won them and the victor often gains territory & it is not the loser that gets to make demands, although the Arabs believe so.
Israel should lay waste to the area from the air. Let Jordan and Egypt clean it up. Otherwise we have a situation where a country is allowed to attack another country without consequence as long as they have their soldiers take their shirts off first.
" I seriously doubt Israel as a mandate from the UN to illegaly occupy the West Bank." Correction, Actually Israel is occuping 49% of the historical Palestine as per the UN Resoulations.
Myles when people don't understand the history it is infuriating So how about you explain the history o refugees and legal rights and compare and contrast them with those of Palestinian refugees who have rights above and beyond that of al other refugees in the world why not ask why? No other refugee has a right to return nor is their status heriditary furthermre what were the legal foundations for UNRWA?
"Arab brotherhood attempt to damage the peace that exists between the three countries" What peace are talking about, it is just an agreement between governments. There is no actual peace between the three countries. A little correction and re-phrasing is require: This is One more example of the Israeli obsession with the Pales.that started since 1917
stop this kind of fabricated claims of being there in Palestine 3000 years ago. The canaaniti (Palestinian origin) were inhibit this place Before you,ve been there. and also there were so many people lived at this area before the Canaaniti & Jews, This doesn't give the right for any people who just live for a short period of time to claim the ownership of this land. Palestinian were living there since ages while you are scattered in nall over the world. Jews were living with the Palestinian in this land and this afact that can't be denied but, not all jews have the right to fleed from all over the world just because they had liver there for a certain time.
You didn't mention the back story: that this neighbour or his family were etnically cleansed in 1948, condemned to live in a refugee camp which was then savagely attacked and blockaded. Its so annoying when people cherry pick from history instead of understanding the broader sweep of cause and effect.
Jordan will not attack Egypts Sinai but Israel might air-patrol the location in Sinai where these Katyusha's came from. This incident of course is an Arab brotherhood attempt to damage the peace that exists between the three countries.One more example of the Islamist obsession with the Jews.that started 1400 years ago, today they should have a different view of the matter.
David, American and European soldiers are in Afghanist an because they have a mandate from the UN to try and restore peace here. I seriously doubt Israel as a mandate from the UN to illegaly occupy the West Bank.
it,s clear now that the MDS failed in intercepting these 2 rockets . israel,s enemies now will rejoyce and will be encouraged to fire more rockets and missiles .
These militants are out of control, they are certainly not winning any fans for the Palestinian cause (which I support). Extremism doesn't pay, hurting/killing innocent people doesn't pay. The Palestinians have been doing this for a long time with nothing to show for it. Only negotiations (when the time is right, probably after Bibi) will lead to peace. Hamas needs to be dissolved, only Fatah can broker for peace.
Not unless Jordan lets militants fire thousands of rockets from its territory, with no indication of any future serious attempts to restrain them.
buddy? Occupied Jerusame. The jewish people were living in Jerusalem before Islam was even thought of. If your next door neighbour was beating up your son everytime he came home from school, consecutively for 8 years i think you too would retaliate, as Israel did in Gaza. In fact i doubt you would be kind enough to wait 8 years like Israel did.
The Sinai belongs to Egypt nowadays. Check you map. By the way what are your army is doing in Afganistan and Iraq?
Gaza was attacked for not stopping rocket being fired into Israel, but neither Egypt nor Jordan will suffer any consequences but a formal protest from Israel's government. My first comments still stands, as this could be a disturbing development, revealing an escalation of the local conflict to a regional one and new tactic by militants because the peace process is stalled and moot over Jerusalem.
I seriously doubt Israel will do anything but protest to Jordan, because there's enough money in the US Treasury to defend Israel's ongoing occupation and annexation of Arab land. However, this is a disturbing development as it could represent a spark of the growing Arab anger within the entire region because of the stalled peace process and expansion of settlements in occupied Jerusalem.