The IDF completed its take-over of two large terrorist-infested neighborhoods in Tul Karem this morning - and found itself with the unexpected \"booty\" of hundreds of armed terrorists surrounded by Israeli forces. The terrorists \"escaped\" into the area as the Israeli troops made house-to-house searches for armed terrorists and weapons. Army officers are now deliberating as to how to proceed.
The Israelis came under fire during their action this morning, but no one was hurt. Israeli aircraft fired rockets at two buildings there, killing a PA policeman and another man. Arutz-7\'s Kobi Finkler reports that the army notified the PA police in advance, thus lessening resistance. The Israeli forces are the same ones that operated in the Jenin areas up until two days ago; yesterday, they were briefed intensely on the Tul Karem targets, the wanted terrorists, and the weapons they were seeking - and warned to make sure not to harm civilians or property. They were also warned that sniper fire might be shot at them, as in previous actions. Tul Karem is not only a center for large Arab arms supplies, it was also the source of very frequent attacks on police forces and the community of Bat Hefer over the past several months.
Earlier this morning, Israel Air Force aircraft bombed PA military buildings in Halhoul (near Hevron) and Gaza, while near Jenin army forces eliminated an Islamic Jihad terrorist, bringing the total number of Arabs killed since last night to 11. In Gaza, Israeli Navy forces also took part in attacking PLO targets. Other targets were hit throughout Yesha, and army sources say that the offensives will continue for at least the next 48 hours.
A wanted PA terrorism suspect was apprehended this morning during a routine check at an IDF checkpoint near Ofrah. Five others were also arrested in villages southwest of Ramallah and north of Hevron.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gave Israel a symbolic slap on the wrist today when he said that he was equally disappointed with both Israel and the Palestinians. \"If you declare war against the Palestinians thinking that you can solve the problem by seeing how many Palestinians can be killed, I don\'t know that that leads us anywhere,\" he said.
The Israelis came under fire during their action this morning, but no one was hurt. Israeli aircraft fired rockets at two buildings there, killing a PA policeman and another man. Arutz-7\'s Kobi Finkler reports that the army notified the PA police in advance, thus lessening resistance. The Israeli forces are the same ones that operated in the Jenin areas up until two days ago; yesterday, they were briefed intensely on the Tul Karem targets, the wanted terrorists, and the weapons they were seeking - and warned to make sure not to harm civilians or property. They were also warned that sniper fire might be shot at them, as in previous actions. Tul Karem is not only a center for large Arab arms supplies, it was also the source of very frequent attacks on police forces and the community of Bat Hefer over the past several months.
Earlier this morning, Israel Air Force aircraft bombed PA military buildings in Halhoul (near Hevron) and Gaza, while near Jenin army forces eliminated an Islamic Jihad terrorist, bringing the total number of Arabs killed since last night to 11. In Gaza, Israeli Navy forces also took part in attacking PLO targets. Other targets were hit throughout Yesha, and army sources say that the offensives will continue for at least the next 48 hours.
A wanted PA terrorism suspect was apprehended this morning during a routine check at an IDF checkpoint near Ofrah. Five others were also arrested in villages southwest of Ramallah and north of Hevron.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gave Israel a symbolic slap on the wrist today when he said that he was equally disappointed with both Israel and the Palestinians. \"If you declare war against the Palestinians thinking that you can solve the problem by seeing how many Palestinians can be killed, I don\'t know that that leads us anywhere,\" he said.