News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) A Yesha spokesperson denied media reports that Yesha leaders are involved in clandestine efforts towards the voluntary uprooting of unauthorized outposts throughout Judea and Samaria. Yesha officials deny there is any secret agreement in the works with the prime minister.

--The Jerusalem-based Arabic-language daily al-Quds reports a branch of al-Qaeda is operating in Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza, concurring with assessments by Israel’s intelligence community.

--IDF artillery units fired some 300 shells into Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza on Monday in response to numerous Kassam rocket attacks launched against the western Negev.

--A navy Dabur (Hornet) patrol boat foiled an attempt to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of explosives from Egypt to the Palestinian Authority by sea. Navy sources said that the explosive material was meant to reach Gaza-based terrorist groups for use in car bombs, suicide belts, roadside bombs and Kassam rockets.

--The Israel Democracy Institute found in its annual survey that there has been a drastic decline in the public's trust of the police over the last few years, from 66% in 2004 to 44% in 2006.