Friday, June 01, 2012

1-Jun-12: More on this morning's terror attack in southern Israel

Netanel Moshiashvili, 21, a staff sergeant in the Golani Brigade,
was killed in the fire fight with the terrorist this morning
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed credit for this morning's terrorist infiltration near the Kisufim Crossing in southern Israel, attributing it to its Saraya Al Quds [trans. Jerusalem Brigades], and saying the mission was to abduct an IDF soldier.

A couple of hours later, there is a vehement 180 degree reverse (according to Times of Israel). A PIJ spokesman calling himself Abu Ahmed says it was not them that did it. Nevertheless the mission that resulted in the killing of the terrorist - a 23-year-old man from Abassan, east of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip - was “heroic”. The Maan newsagency, based in Bethlehem and generally identified with the views of the Abbas/Fatah part of the Palestinian Arabs, says this morning's attack (that's the word they use, and with justice of course) appears "to have been aimed at luring Israeli forces into the area in an attempt to capture a soldier". There have been numerous such attempts this year.

Whether or not we agree with Maan's line, its editors avoid the silly fence-sitting games of a certain London-based global network whose news editors are saying right now that "An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian have been killed during an exchange of fire along the Gaza border."

An exchange - like the "exchanges" that happened in London on July 7, 2005? Funny how, when the attack is on British turf, the BBC's coverage is so much more factual, less "spun".

Let's note also that the same British news agency is explaining to its millions of listeners and readers that "it is not uncommon for the Israeli army to open fire on Palestinians who approach the fence". The notions that that this was a deliberate terrorist attack, that Israel's border was breached, that the Palestinian Arab died on Israeli soil - well, why spoil a perfectly nice news-like confection?

The fallen Israeli serviceman is Staff Sergeant Netanel Moshiashvili21, from nearby Ashkelon. His funeral is taking place as we write these words. Meanwhile there are urgent immediate warnings of incoming rockets affecting almost all the communities of southern Israel.

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