MFA Newsletter
Thursday, January 08, 2009

IDF issues warnings to the civilians of Gaza
The IDF warnings are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to uninvolved
civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's intent to attack, instructing
residents to evacuate the areas where terrorists or terror infrastructure
are to be found.

Leaflet: IDF warns residents of Gaza
On the basis of the principle that the IDF has no quarrel with Gaza's
civilian population who are being used as a human shield by the Hamas
terrorists, the IDF has been transmitting announcements and warnings to the
residents of the Gaza Strip. These announcements are aimed at reducing the
risk of injury to uninvolved civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's
intent to attack, instructing residents to evacuate the areas where
terrorists or terror infrastructure are to be found.
To make sure these warnings reach the residents, the IDF has used different
measures: dropping leaflets, making phone calls, and commandeering local
radio and TV stations.
The main messages include:
Calls to evacuate buildings where weapons are stored and/or where tunnels
have been dug (since December 27)
Instructions to move to the center of towns (as of January 3)
Instructions to residents to listen to IDF advisories and avoid interaction
with terrorist elements
These messages were conveyed by several means:
1. Dropping leaflets:
On December 28, 300,000 leaflets were dropped throughout the entire Gaza
Strip
On December 29, 80,000 leaflets were dropped in Rafah
On January 3, 300,000 leaflets were dropped in the entire Gaza Strip,
especially in the northern and eastern parts
On January 5, 300,000 leaflets were droopped in Gaza City, Khan Yunis and
Rafah.
Leaflet (December 28, 2008):
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/IDF_warns_Gaza_population_7-Jan-2009.htm
Translation:
To the residents of the Gaza Strip
The IDF will act against any movements and elements conducting terrorist
activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition and
weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or
weapons in his home is risking his life and must leave the place for the
safety of his own life and that of his family.
You have been warned.
IDF Command

2. Phone calls
On December 27, around 20,000 phone calls were made throuthout the entire
Gaza Strip
On December 29, around 10,000 phone calls were made to the residents of
Rafah
Phone Message (December 27, 2008)
(wmv) (wav)
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/IDF_warns_Gaza_population_7-Jan-2009.htm

The IDF will hit and destroy any site or building containing ammunition or
weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, the life of anyone in whose home
ammunition and weapons are to be found is in danger, and he must leave the
place for the sake of his own safety and that of his family.

IDF Command

3. Breaking into local radio transmissions
(Radio Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Radio and Radio PFLP)
a. Specific local announcements
Radio Announcement (December 29, 2008)
(wmv) (wav)
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/IDF_warns_Gaza_population_7-Jan-2009.htm

To the residents of Rafah:
A military announcement -
The IDF will act against any organizations and elements carrying out
terrorist activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition,
weapons or tunnels.
As of the issuing of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or
weapons or a tunnel in his home is risking his life and must leave the place
for his own safety and that of his family.
You have been warned.

IDF Command

Radio Announcement (January 3, 2009)
(wmv) (wav)
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2009/IDF_warns_Gaza_population_7-Jan-2009.htm

Military announcement
To all residents of the area
For your own safety, you are required to leave your homes immediately and
move to the city centers.

IDF Command