Israeli forces, for the first time since the beginning of the seven-month-old war, briefly entered the PA-controlled town of Beit Jala this morning. The goal was to break up the terrorist cells that have been shooting for months from local houses they have commandeered opposite the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. The Israelis severely damaged four houses overlooking the Tunnels Highway between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, killed one terrorist, and wounded several others.
Judea and Samaria IDF Commander Brig.-Gen. Benny Ganz explained after the mission, \"IDF forces penetrated about 100 to 200 meters into Area A [under complete PA control] in Beit Jala, hit several armed Palestinians who shot at them, and then left the area… This was a mission with operational-tactical goals, after the Palestinians opened fire from three different locations - including near PA police checkpoints - at IDF forces.\" The killed terrorist was Muhammad Abiat, a relative of Hussein Abiat, a Tanzim leader who was killed in November when an Israel Air Force helicopter fired several missiles at his van.
Palestinians initiated gun battles from Beit Jala upon several Israeli targets this morning, and Israel initially responded with tank fire. The Tunnels Highway, which was closed for a while this morning as a result of the Palestinian attacks, is currently open.
Judea and Samaria IDF Commander Brig.-Gen. Benny Ganz explained after the mission, \"IDF forces penetrated about 100 to 200 meters into Area A [under complete PA control] in Beit Jala, hit several armed Palestinians who shot at them, and then left the area… This was a mission with operational-tactical goals, after the Palestinians opened fire from three different locations - including near PA police checkpoints - at IDF forces.\" The killed terrorist was Muhammad Abiat, a relative of Hussein Abiat, a Tanzim leader who was killed in November when an Israel Air Force helicopter fired several missiles at his van.
Palestinians initiated gun battles from Beit Jala upon several Israeli targets this morning, and Israel initially responded with tank fire. The Tunnels Highway, which was closed for a while this morning as a result of the Palestinian attacks, is currently open.