IDF Sgt. Kiven Cohen, 19, from Petach Tikvah, who was killed by Arab sniper fire early this morning in Gush Katif, will be buried this evening. A lone bullet hit his head following a night of gunfire, and he died on the way to the hospital. Israel Air Force helicopters overflew the PA city of Khan Yunis to find the murderer, but without success. Heavy exchanges of gunfire later developed at the Tufah Crossing near N'vei Dekalim, and one Arab was killed.
The murder occurred only hours after Israel began implementing the Gaza First agreement yesterday. Israel began easing restrictions with the goal of withdrawing its forces from the area and handing over full security control to the PA. The PA is obligated to work to stop terrorism by its own Fatah-Tanzim, as well as by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others, but many of these groups said they would continue their violence. Hamas claimed credit for today's killing.
Eran Sternberg, spokesman for the Gaza Coast Regional Council, said that there was heavy gunfire all night between the terrorists and the soldiers. "Every time there is some kind of agreement," he said, "rounds of gunfire burst out from all the buildings in Khan Yunis towards the soldiers, and last night it happened again." Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said early this afternoon that he has warned the Palestinian Authority that all gunfire and mortar shells must stop, and that "if the PA doesn't put a stop to it, the IDF will."
Israeli forces began implementing the Bethlehem part of the agreement last night by withdrawing its troops from Bethlehem and vicinity, including Beit Jala, and redeploying outside the towns. PA forces under the command of Haj Ismail took control of the area following Israel's withdrawal.
At the same time, the IDF is carrying out an anti-terror offensive in Tul Karem, and over 15 terrorist suspects have so far been arrested. Another five were apprehended nearby. A Palestinian terrorist was killed in Tul Karem this morning, a few hours after the offensive began, and a small bomb was found near his body.
The murder occurred only hours after Israel began implementing the Gaza First agreement yesterday. Israel began easing restrictions with the goal of withdrawing its forces from the area and handing over full security control to the PA. The PA is obligated to work to stop terrorism by its own Fatah-Tanzim, as well as by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others, but many of these groups said they would continue their violence. Hamas claimed credit for today's killing.
Eran Sternberg, spokesman for the Gaza Coast Regional Council, said that there was heavy gunfire all night between the terrorists and the soldiers. "Every time there is some kind of agreement," he said, "rounds of gunfire burst out from all the buildings in Khan Yunis towards the soldiers, and last night it happened again." Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said early this afternoon that he has warned the Palestinian Authority that all gunfire and mortar shells must stop, and that "if the PA doesn't put a stop to it, the IDF will."
Israeli forces began implementing the Bethlehem part of the agreement last night by withdrawing its troops from Bethlehem and vicinity, including Beit Jala, and redeploying outside the towns. PA forces under the command of Haj Ismail took control of the area following Israel's withdrawal.
At the same time, the IDF is carrying out an anti-terror offensive in Tul Karem, and over 15 terrorist suspects have so far been arrested. Another five were apprehended nearby. A Palestinian terrorist was killed in Tul Karem this morning, a few hours after the offensive began, and a small bomb was found near his body.