‫י"ג אדר ב תשע"א‬

19 March 2011
Excellency,

I write to express my grave concern in light of yet another alarming escalation of terrorist
attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Earlier today, terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired some 50 mortars into Southern Israel,
landing in the areas of Eshkol, Sha'ar Hanegev, and Sdot Hanegev. These attacks —
which represent an unprecedented increase in the projectile fire emanating from the Gaza
Strip since the end of Operation Cast Lead in 2009 — injured two Israeli civilians in a
Kibbutz in Eshkol and caused damage to property. Launched from the Gaza Strip with
the clear intention of targeting and terrorizing Israeli civilians, these mortars exploded in
and around populated areas. The Hamas terrorist organization has claimed responsibility
for today’s attacks.

Today’s serious escalation in the scope of projectile attacks emanating from the Gaza
Strip follows what has already stood out as a troubling trend. Since the onset of 2011,
more than 100 projectiles – including Qassam rockets, mortar shells, and Grad missiles –
have been fired from the Gaza Strip into communities and cities in Southern Israel. As I
highlighted in previous letters to the Council on 23 February 2011, 9 February 2011, 2
February 2011, 21 December 2010, and 9 December 2010, such attacks constitute a clear
violation of international law and must be addressed with the utmost seriousness.

Israel holds the Hamas terrorist organization – the de facto authority in the Gaza Strip –
fully responsible for all of these attacks. In view of these attacks, Israel has exercised and
will continue to exercise its right to self-defense, as appropriate, and will take all
necessary measures to protect its citizens.

Today’s attacks highlight once again the very significant security challenges facing the
Government and citizens of Israel on a daily basis. They also emphasize the dangerous
consequences of the continued illegal smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip. As I wrote
just yesterday in my letter to the Security Council, in the past week we witnessed another
attempt by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic to transfer
weaponry – including C-704 advanced anti-ship missiles and mortar shells – to terrorist
groups in the Gaza Strip when three concealed containers of arms, munitions, and
military equipment were captured on board the Victoria cargo vessel.

H.E. Li Baodong
President of the Security Council
United Nations
New York
Attempts to smuggle arms into the Gaza Strip are conducted on a nearly daily basis – and
are led by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic — in clear
contravention of Security Council resolutions, including Security Council resolution
1860.

In view of these developments, Israel expects the Security Council, the Secretary-
General, and the international community to condemn all of these attacks in very clear
terms. The Security Council and the international community must also devote much
more attention to the prevention of smuggling of arms into Gaza, which fuels continuous
rocket attacks against Israel and serves as a significant obstacle to peace and security in
our region. Unfortunately, this important issue – an integral part of Security Council
resolution 1860 – does not receive the appropriate attention that it deserves.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the
Security Council. I wish to inform you that an identical letter has been sent to H.E. Mr.
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours truly,

[Signed]

Meron Reuben
Ambassador
Permanent Mission of Israel
to t he United Nations