Post Cast Lead, 2.4.09_to Sg

‫י' שבט תשס"ט‬ 4 February 2009 Excellency, I write this urgent letter regarding the ongoing armed attacks emanating from the Hamascontrolled Gaza Strip against southern Israel. Since Israel unilaterally declared a “hold-fire” on 17 January 2009 following its military operation in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Palestinian terrorist groups launched numerous attacks against Israeli civilians and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). In a severe development yesterday, 3 February 2009, a long-range Grad rocket was launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and landed in the center of the city of Ashkelon. The incident in the major city of Ashkelon is only the latest development in a series of ongoing attacks. Since 20 January 2009, there have been over 12 serious terrorist attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip that have witnessed the firing of over 30 rockets and mortars into Israel, placing over one million Israelis in range of these deadly rockets. In one particular incident near Kissufim crossing, an IDF patrol on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) that killed one soldier and seriously wounded another. All of these violations from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip –– carried out by various Palestinian terrorist groups –– represent once again a serious threat to the people of southern Israel. Furthermore, these ongoing attacks do not help reach a stable and durable cease-fire. In response to these armed attacks, Israel will exercise its right to self-defense as articulated in article 51 of the United Nations Charter. While Israel is, once again, demonstrating restraint in the face of these violations, it will not tolerate, and will respond accordingly to such attacks against its citizens. For your reference, I have enclosed a list of terrorist attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip from 20 January 2009 until 1 February 2009. I should be grateful if you would have the text of this letter circulated to the Members of the Security Council. An identical letter has been sent to H.E. Mr. Yukio Takasu, President of the Security Council. Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration. H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary General United Nations Room S3800 New York, N.Y. 10017

Yours truly, Daniel Carmon Ambassador Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.