The IDF is operating in PLO-controlled Kalkilye and Tul Karem this morning, in search of wanted terrorists and explosives labs. The troops were guided by intelligence information received in the past days. Over the weekend troops also entered Bethlehem and environs, returning to the city for the first time since the Church of the Nativity standoff ended on May 10, and apprehended one suspected terrorist. The Bethlehem operation comes in response to last week’s suicide bombing in Rishon LeTzion that left 2 Israelis dead and wounded 40. The 16-year-old Palestinian who carried out the attack had been dispatched from the Bethlehem area.
On Friday, soldiers\' entry into Tul Karem sparked off gunfire by Arab gunmen that claimed the life of Sgt.-Maj. Oren Tzelnik, 23, from Bat Yam. Two other soldiers were wounded in the firefight. Tzelnik will be laid to rest this afternoon in the Holon cemetery. He is survived by his parents and three sisters. This morning, Arabs fired at an IDF outpost on the Israeli-Egyptian border; no one was hurt, and IDF soldiers returned fire.
A senior Yesha region commander said that terrorism warnings have intensified since Wednesday, and only the presence of IDF forces in the PA cities prevents the exit of terrorists to carry out attacks. On the other hand, another officer said that the army does not plan to remain there for long. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said this morning that Israel will intensify its offensives in PA areas.
On Friday, soldiers\' entry into Tul Karem sparked off gunfire by Arab gunmen that claimed the life of Sgt.-Maj. Oren Tzelnik, 23, from Bat Yam. Two other soldiers were wounded in the firefight. Tzelnik will be laid to rest this afternoon in the Holon cemetery. He is survived by his parents and three sisters. This morning, Arabs fired at an IDF outpost on the Israeli-Egyptian border; no one was hurt, and IDF soldiers returned fire.
A senior Yesha region commander said that terrorism warnings have intensified since Wednesday, and only the presence of IDF forces in the PA cities prevents the exit of terrorists to carry out attacks. On the other hand, another officer said that the army does not plan to remain there for long. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said this morning that Israel will intensify its offensives in PA areas.