The Israel Defense Forces are currently operating in towns throughout Yesha (Judea, Samaria, and Gaza) in response to the latest wave of murderous Palestinian Authority terrorism. The army began issuing emergency call-up orders to reserve soldiers this afternoon.
Troops backed by armored vehicles have taken up positions in the PLO-controlled towns of Jenin and Kalkilye, while other forces are deployed on the outskirts of Ramallah, Shechem and Hevron, and still others have entered Bethlehem. Soldiers discovered and destroyed a bomb-making factory in Jenin, in which were found several ready-for-use devices.
In Gaza last night, IDF warplanes and helicopters fired at four terrorist strongholds, including metal factories used for making weapons in Khan Yunis and in Gaza City. Between six and 13 Arabs were wounded. Also last night, troops uncovered and blew up a weapons smuggling tunnel in southern Gaza, along the Egyptian border.
In a battle yesterday in Kalkilye, two IDF soldiers were killed and four others were wounded while trying to capture two leading terrorists. The fallen soldiers were Maj. Shlomo Cohen, 26, of Rehovot, and St.-Sgt. Yosef Talbi, 20, of Yehud. The force had entered a seemingly empty building rented by Marzan Suleiman, head of PA Intelligence in Kalkilye, when they were greeted with a barrage of gunfire and grenades. The Israeli force managed to kill Suleiman along with three other Arabs; another wanted terrorist was arrested.
Prime Minister Sharon is determined to carry out his plan of taking over PA areas in response to attacks, despite objections by Foreign Minister Peres and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer. Sharon says he doesn\'t think the Labor Party will quit the government in protest.
Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon fired anti-aircraft fire late this morning over the Galilee panhandle region in northern Israel. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Three bombs were discovered today along Israel\'s northern border with Lebanon, in the Shab\'a Farms area.
Troops backed by armored vehicles have taken up positions in the PLO-controlled towns of Jenin and Kalkilye, while other forces are deployed on the outskirts of Ramallah, Shechem and Hevron, and still others have entered Bethlehem. Soldiers discovered and destroyed a bomb-making factory in Jenin, in which were found several ready-for-use devices.
In Gaza last night, IDF warplanes and helicopters fired at four terrorist strongholds, including metal factories used for making weapons in Khan Yunis and in Gaza City. Between six and 13 Arabs were wounded. Also last night, troops uncovered and blew up a weapons smuggling tunnel in southern Gaza, along the Egyptian border.
In a battle yesterday in Kalkilye, two IDF soldiers were killed and four others were wounded while trying to capture two leading terrorists. The fallen soldiers were Maj. Shlomo Cohen, 26, of Rehovot, and St.-Sgt. Yosef Talbi, 20, of Yehud. The force had entered a seemingly empty building rented by Marzan Suleiman, head of PA Intelligence in Kalkilye, when they were greeted with a barrage of gunfire and grenades. The Israeli force managed to kill Suleiman along with three other Arabs; another wanted terrorist was arrested.
Prime Minister Sharon is determined to carry out his plan of taking over PA areas in response to attacks, despite objections by Foreign Minister Peres and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer. Sharon says he doesn\'t think the Labor Party will quit the government in protest.
Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon fired anti-aircraft fire late this morning over the Galilee panhandle region in northern Israel. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Three bombs were discovered today along Israel\'s northern border with Lebanon, in the Shab\'a Farms area.