In ongoing Operation Defensive Shield, IDF forces operated last night in the Shechem-area village of Kalil, from where many attacks against Israeli soldiers and Jewish residents have originated. The forces arrested 21 suspects... Military operations continue in Jenin, Shechem, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the villages of Dura and Dahariya south of Hevron... Among yesterday\'s \"finds\" were 30 missile components, ten home-made grenades, ten mortar bombs, and much ammunition - all in Arafat\'s Ramallah compound, as well as two labs for explosives production with various weaponry inside.
The home of Razi Jabali, commander of the PA para-military police force in Judea and Samaria, was searched today by Israeli forces in Ramallah. He has long been wanted by Israel for his direct involvement in an attempted terrorist attack near Har Brachah back in July 1997. Found in his home were a Galil rifle, a pistol, ammunition, night-vision equipment, and other combat material. Jabali was not home at the time, but two armed Palestinians in the vicinity were arrested.
Two Arabs posing as workers seeking employment in Israel opened fire at Israelis this morning, killing Sgt. David Smirnoff, 22, of Ashdod. The attack, in which another Arab worker was also killed and three soldiers were wounded, including one in moderate condition, occurred at the Erez Checkpoint entrance to the Gaza area. A Border Guard police officer shot and killed the two Palestinian terrorists. More gunfire was fired at a nearby IDF position shortly afterwards, but no one was hurt.
Further south, in Gush Katif, residents report that the several weeks of relative quiet has come to an end, as PA residents have begun directing gunfire at several Jewish communities over the past few days.
The above violence is supported by the official PA diplomatic position: a refusal to accept Gen. Zinni\'s ceasefire proposal. The PA says that its military mechanisms have been destroyed and are unable to enforce a cessation of violence. PLO sources, who did not explain why they did not enforce a ceasefire while its military bodies were still operative, say they demand a full Israeli withdrawal.
The home of Razi Jabali, commander of the PA para-military police force in Judea and Samaria, was searched today by Israeli forces in Ramallah. He has long been wanted by Israel for his direct involvement in an attempted terrorist attack near Har Brachah back in July 1997. Found in his home were a Galil rifle, a pistol, ammunition, night-vision equipment, and other combat material. Jabali was not home at the time, but two armed Palestinians in the vicinity were arrested.
Two Arabs posing as workers seeking employment in Israel opened fire at Israelis this morning, killing Sgt. David Smirnoff, 22, of Ashdod. The attack, in which another Arab worker was also killed and three soldiers were wounded, including one in moderate condition, occurred at the Erez Checkpoint entrance to the Gaza area. A Border Guard police officer shot and killed the two Palestinian terrorists. More gunfire was fired at a nearby IDF position shortly afterwards, but no one was hurt.
Further south, in Gush Katif, residents report that the several weeks of relative quiet has come to an end, as PA residents have begun directing gunfire at several Jewish communities over the past few days.
The above violence is supported by the official PA diplomatic position: a refusal to accept Gen. Zinni\'s ceasefire proposal. The PA says that its military mechanisms have been destroyed and are unable to enforce a cessation of violence. PLO sources, who did not explain why they did not enforce a ceasefire while its military bodies were still operative, say they demand a full Israeli withdrawal.