The IDF continued its anti-terror operations last night and today in three locations: Shechem, Balata, and Kalkilye. Arutz-7\'s Kobi Finkler reports that forces had entered Tul Karem as well, but left by this morning. Among the dozens of arrested terrorists were the head of the Shechem-area cell of Hamas, and two female university students - would-be suicide terrorists who were already wearing their explosives vests. IDF forces are tightly deployed around the other PLO-controlled cities.
GSS head Avi Dichter told the Cabinet today that his agency had stopped 40 Fatah suicide bombers on their way, or almost on their way, to attacks in the past number of weeks. Dichter said that it is imperative that the army remain inside the cities for longer periods of time - but Prime Minister Sharon did not agree. Sharon said that the tight encirclements are sufficient, as the forces can and do enter the cities whenever information on a planned attack is received. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, \"The only way to stop the deterioration in the region is to continue to exert pressure on Yasser Arafat, without mercy and from every possible direction.\"
Dichter also said that the American and British wardens have been unable to fulfill the terms of the agreement under which they are to supervise the incarceration of six PA terrorists. Four of the six are the murderers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi. \"The conditions under which the terrorists are being held are far from those that Israel understood were to be,\" Dichter said in response to a question by Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi. They receive visitors with no restrictions, can talk with one another freely, and their jailers are all Arab. HaNegbi said that the government must deal with this issue.
GSS head Avi Dichter told the Cabinet today that his agency had stopped 40 Fatah suicide bombers on their way, or almost on their way, to attacks in the past number of weeks. Dichter said that it is imperative that the army remain inside the cities for longer periods of time - but Prime Minister Sharon did not agree. Sharon said that the tight encirclements are sufficient, as the forces can and do enter the cities whenever information on a planned attack is received. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, \"The only way to stop the deterioration in the region is to continue to exert pressure on Yasser Arafat, without mercy and from every possible direction.\"
Dichter also said that the American and British wardens have been unable to fulfill the terms of the agreement under which they are to supervise the incarceration of six PA terrorists. Four of the six are the murderers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi. \"The conditions under which the terrorists are being held are far from those that Israel understood were to be,\" Dichter said in response to a question by Environment Minister Tzachi HaNegbi. They receive visitors with no restrictions, can talk with one another freely, and their jailers are all Arab. HaNegbi said that the government must deal with this issue.