Shimshon 9

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Monday that Israel knew who abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit and where he was being held. (Haaretz)

Instead of releasing more Terrorists in return for Gilad, Israel should just go in there and get him back. We know he is alive and we know where he is and we know who is holding him (Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi). Such an military operation might be very difficult, dangerous and risky, but if a success (the only option) it would give us back the respect we loss during the second Lebanon war and with the prisoner exchange with Hezbollah.

Israel Aircraft Industries has unveiled its newest plane. The plane, whose purpose is airborne early-warning, intelligence-gathering, and air combat command and control (AEW&C), is already in service with the Israeli Air Force.

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The aircraft has been modified to include an advanced airborne early warning phased array radar which covers 360 degrees around the plane while in flight. In addition, its command and control systems are heavily automated. The aircraft is based on the GulfStream G550 executive jet, which according the IAI, is extremely fuel efficient for long-range missions.
IAI is currently the leader in the AEW&C market and will present the plane formally at the world-renowned Farnborough Air Show in the UK shortly.

Oil prices jump on report of Israeli drill in preparation for strike on Iran; IAEA Chief: I’ll quit if Iran attacked. Read more…

Israel is deliberately leaking reports that it plans to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities in order to shape Iranian behavior. An actual attack would not be announced and would face significant obstacles.

The Israeli Navy in pictures.