Operation Determined Stand continues to pick up momentum as the IDF seeks, once again, to dismantle the PA terrorist infrastructure. Israel Air Force Apache helicopter gunships fired missiles at two cars in Gaza this morning, killing five Hamas terrorists and a bystander. Among the dead were the commander of Hamas in Rafiach, who was responsible for an attack on an IDF outpost that killed four soldiers and the dispatching of suicide terrorists. Also killed was a senior Izzadin el-Kassam terrorist. Prime Minister Sharon later said that Israel is planning \"massive activity against Hamas, the beginning of which was seen this morning.\"
Israel troops accompanied by armored vehicles and tanks entered Ramallah during the night, surrounding whatever is left of Yasser Arafat\'s Mukata headquarters. Troops destroyed parts of the compound two weeks ago. One soldier sustained light injuries last night when a roadside bomb went off. Army forces continue to operate in Jenin, Tul Karem, Kalkilye, Jenin, Hevron, and other areas that had been under full PA control. These cities have been declared closed military zones and off-limits to journalists.
Twelve PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were arrested by security forces during the night in Judea and Samaria. In Jenin, soldiers discovered a bomb factory with two ready-to-use explosive belts containing 15 kilograms of explosives each. Two bags of explosives materials and parts of Kassam rockets were also found.
MK Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) called on Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer not to endanger IDF soldiers by taking \"the world\'s double standard of ethics into account merely so that we will look better in the media.\" Orlev noted that over a dozen Israeli soldiers were killed during Operation Defensive Shield because of the desire not to destroy Arab houses. \"The welfare of our soldiers stands above the world\'s criticism of us,\" he said, \"and we must not abandon our soldiers because of the world\'s double standard.\"
Israel troops accompanied by armored vehicles and tanks entered Ramallah during the night, surrounding whatever is left of Yasser Arafat\'s Mukata headquarters. Troops destroyed parts of the compound two weeks ago. One soldier sustained light injuries last night when a roadside bomb went off. Army forces continue to operate in Jenin, Tul Karem, Kalkilye, Jenin, Hevron, and other areas that had been under full PA control. These cities have been declared closed military zones and off-limits to journalists.
Twelve PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were arrested by security forces during the night in Judea and Samaria. In Jenin, soldiers discovered a bomb factory with two ready-to-use explosive belts containing 15 kilograms of explosives each. Two bags of explosives materials and parts of Kassam rockets were also found.
MK Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) called on Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer not to endanger IDF soldiers by taking \"the world\'s double standard of ethics into account merely so that we will look better in the media.\" Orlev noted that over a dozen Israeli soldiers were killed during Operation Defensive Shield because of the desire not to destroy Arab houses. \"The welfare of our soldiers stands above the world\'s criticism of us,\" he said, \"and we must not abandon our soldiers because of the world\'s double standard.\"