IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said that "Fatah rebels" are suspected in both of today's attacks, explaining that Hamas has an interest in maintaining the hudna. Shortly afterwards, Hamas claimed credit for the Rosh HaAyin attack - and even named the terrorist.





If Hamas did in fact perpetrate the attack, was it in retaliation for what happened this past Friday?

Some sources said that it was a vengeance attack for Friday's IDF Naval Commando operation in Shechem in which two wanted terrorists were killed (as was Sgt. Ro'i Oren). Chief of Staff Yaalon said that it definitely was not in retaliation. IDF sources reported today that photos of the Ariel Junction - where today's murderous terror attack took place - were found on Friday in the dead terrorists' hideout. This would indicate that the attack was planned before the terrorists were killed, and not in retaliation for such.





Arutz-7's Haggai Seri reports that the Chief of Staff had some good words for the hudna [temporary Arab ceasefire], saying that it is beneficial for Israel in Gaza.





Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman asked Shomron Commander Col. Har'el Knafu today if the recent removal of army checkpoints - in the framework of gestures towards Abu Mazen - had enabled the terrorist to leave Shechem and reach Aiel. Knafu said that the answer could very well be yes, and that this is being investigated. He further said that in his region there never was a hudna, and there were always intelligence warnings - although today there wasn't.