The IDF tightened its grip around the remaining Arab strongholds in Jenin and Shechem, and a senior officer estimated that the fighting would end there tonight or tomorrow. Helicopters, tanks, Golani units, reserve units, and naval commando units attacked throughout the day the small areas in which the terrorists are enclosed, stopping the fighting every few hours in order to allow those who wished to give themselves up to do so. Dozens of armed terrorists have been killed in Jenin, while others say they will fight to the end. Hundreds of others gave themselves up to the Israeli forces in Jenin and Shechem.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the fighting today - Matanya Robinson, 22, of Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in the Galilee, and Shmuel Weiss of Kiryat Arba.
The IDF completed its capture of the Kasba area in Shechem today, except for tiny pockets of resistance, and 150 armed Arabs gave up their arms and surrendered. The army forces, which have already uncovered many explosives and explosives workshops in Shechem, now plan to carefully comb the area for an underground network of tunnels used for smuggling arms and terrorists. Large caches of weapons and explosives are expected to be found there.
In Bethlehem, too, where 200 armed terrorists continue to hold 80 priests hostage inside the Church of the Nativity, the army has found large amounts of weapons and explosives. Arabs inside the church opened fire this morning at IDF troops, leading to a gun battle in which two Israeli policemen were hurt and one PLO police officer was killed. The Arab gunmen and other wanted terrorists not only refuse to surrender, they are also not permitting medical personnel to enter and evacuate the wounded.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the fighting today - Matanya Robinson, 22, of Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in the Galilee, and Shmuel Weiss of Kiryat Arba.
The IDF completed its capture of the Kasba area in Shechem today, except for tiny pockets of resistance, and 150 armed Arabs gave up their arms and surrendered. The army forces, which have already uncovered many explosives and explosives workshops in Shechem, now plan to carefully comb the area for an underground network of tunnels used for smuggling arms and terrorists. Large caches of weapons and explosives are expected to be found there.
In Bethlehem, too, where 200 armed terrorists continue to hold 80 priests hostage inside the Church of the Nativity, the army has found large amounts of weapons and explosives. Arabs inside the church opened fire this morning at IDF troops, leading to a gun battle in which two Israeli policemen were hurt and one PLO police officer was killed. The Arab gunmen and other wanted terrorists not only refuse to surrender, they are also not permitting medical personnel to enter and evacuate the wounded.