Security forces released their year-end reports this week. Among other things, reports showed a sharp increase in the number of Israelis murdered by terrorists: 36 in 2008 compared to 13 in 2007. Both fatality rates were low compared to earlier years of the Oslo War.
Of the 36 victims, 21 were murdered by terrorists from Gaza. Eight were killed by rockets and mortar shells, including three murdered on Tuesday of this week.
Four soldiers were killed by bombs placed near the Gaza security barrier, and four soldiers, two civilians and a foreign worker were murdered by snipers firing from Gaza. Two civilians were murdered in a terrorist infiltration.
Eleven Israelis were murdered in attacks perpetrated by Arab residents of Jerusalem. Eight young students were murdered at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and three people were killed when a terrorist working at a downtown construction site used his bulldozer to crush cars and overturn a bus.
Hamas Exploits Israeli Humanitarian Gestures
The Shin Bet (Israel's General Security Services) released a year-end report as well. One section of the report detailed ways in which Hamas terrorists took advantage of permits allowing sick and wounded Gaza residents to enter Israel.
Hamas pressured residents who were eligible for an entrance pass to Israel to obtain one, in hopes of taking advantage of the passes to sneak Hamas terrorists out of Gaza disguised as relatives of patients. In addition, Hamas pressured patients and their relatives to carry out missions on behalf of the group while staying in Israeli hospitals.
Many Gaza doctors took advantage of the situation to sell fake medical reports allowing their owners to enter Israel, Shin Bet agents reported. Terrorist groups also forged their own false medical reports and authorizations to sneak operatives out of Gaza.