Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer has approved a complete closure of Palestinian Authority cities in the Shomron, preventing all Arab vehicular traffic in and around Kalkilye, Jenin, Shechem, Ramallah, and Tul Karem. The IDF has also isolated Rafiach, in the southern Gaza Strip, in order to prevent arms smuggled over the border from Egypt from ending up in the hands of Fatah and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Humanitarian and medical services will be allowed freedom of movement in these areas.
Excerpts from the Defense Minister's remarks today:
"The IDF has lately arrested 140 terrorists who intended to commit suicide attacks… Surprises in our war against terrorism can be expected… Expelling Arafat at present would not contribute to security. He's losing power, and Israel must [concentrate on] other Palestinian leaders that are trying to make an effort… We have been considering a call-up of reserves, but at present this is not foreseen… There is a complete closure in the Shomron, and Rafiach in southern Gaza has been cut off… We will continue destroying the homes of terrorists, and we will start expelling families of suicide terrorists who had a direct connection with the attack."
The army and General Security Service succeeded impressively today with the speedy capture of the Hamas terrorist who dispatched the suicide bomber to yesterday's deadly attack in Meiron. Less than 24 hours after the attack, Mazan Fukha was arrested during the night in the village of Tubas, together with his aide. Other terrorist leaders arrested in the past 24 hours include the Tanzim leader in Bethlehem, two young women who were planning terror attacks, and four others. IDF forces killed two wanted Arabs near Shechem last night - one who attempted to escape arrest, and the other in whose home the first was hiding. .
The army imposed a curfew on Hevron today, based on intelligence warnings of terrorist intentions.
Excerpts from the Defense Minister's remarks today:
"The IDF has lately arrested 140 terrorists who intended to commit suicide attacks… Surprises in our war against terrorism can be expected… Expelling Arafat at present would not contribute to security. He's losing power, and Israel must [concentrate on] other Palestinian leaders that are trying to make an effort… We have been considering a call-up of reserves, but at present this is not foreseen… There is a complete closure in the Shomron, and Rafiach in southern Gaza has been cut off… We will continue destroying the homes of terrorists, and we will start expelling families of suicide terrorists who had a direct connection with the attack."
The army and General Security Service succeeded impressively today with the speedy capture of the Hamas terrorist who dispatched the suicide bomber to yesterday's deadly attack in Meiron. Less than 24 hours after the attack, Mazan Fukha was arrested during the night in the village of Tubas, together with his aide. Other terrorist leaders arrested in the past 24 hours include the Tanzim leader in Bethlehem, two young women who were planning terror attacks, and four others. IDF forces killed two wanted Arabs near Shechem last night - one who attempted to escape arrest, and the other in whose home the first was hiding. .
The army imposed a curfew on Hevron today, based on intelligence warnings of terrorist intentions.