Data regarding casualties in terror attacks
Throughout 2009, 15 people were killed as opposed to 36 in 2008. 9 people, who comprise most of the casualties, were killed during the Gaza Operation in January. 5 civilians and soldiers were killed by high-trajectory launchings and 4 soldiers were killed by friendly fire. On January 27, 2009, a soldier was killed by an explosive device at the Gaza Strip border line.
In addition, 5 Israelis were killed – 2 security officers were killed in a shooting attack in March at Mesua (Jordan Valley), one citizen was stabbed to death in Bat Ayin in April (WB), one was fatally wounded in an assault attack in Ashdod in May, and one was shot to death near Shavei Shomron (WB) in December.
Hizballah
The high level of readiness regarding Hizballah’s plan to execute a revenge attack due to Imad Mughniyah’s death has been maintained during 2009. Hizballah has also been striving to recruit activists to build terror infrastructures in Israel, targeting primarily Israeli politicians and VIPs.
One such example is Rawi Sultani, a resident of Tira (within the Green Line), who was arrested in August for gathering Intelligence on IDF Chief of Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi. In his interrogation, Sultani admitted to being directed by his handler to gather Intelligence on other senior Israelis and IDF bases in Israel. Another example is that of Ismail Souleiman, a Bedouin from Hajajre, Galilee who was arrested in February for joining Hizballah. He admitted to having met a Lebanese Hizballah handler in Saudi Arabia who had recruited and directed him to gather Intelligence on the activity of IDF forces located at the vicinity of his home.
The internet is also a preferred recruitment zone for terrorists. Many Israelis reported being offered to join terror activity or deliver classified information in return for payment.
War against terror funds
Several important landmarks have been made in the area of terror funds. On February 27, the Charity Commission in Britain (a commission responsible for the proper conduct of NPOs in Britain) published a report on the investigation of Interpal. The report stated that Interpal was instructed to immediately disengage from the Union of Good (global network of fund raising affiliated with Hamas). Following the report, Issam Yousef, a senior Hamas activist and founder of the Union of Good who served as its executive director and that of seven other charity societies in Britain, decided to resign from the Union of Good.
Palestinian-U.S. citizens who directed HLF’s activity (Holy Land Foundation) were heavily sentenced for funding terrorism through their work in HLF. Two of HLF’s leaders were sentenced to 65 years of imprisonment, and others were sentenced to 15 and 20 years of imprisonment.
