Soldiers near Kedumim, between Shechem and Raanana, prevented a major terror attack last night. They ordered a PA taxi to stop as it approached the Jit Junction checkpoint, and the two passengers to get out. The soldiers, standing about 20 meters away, told the men to lift their shirts - a common measure used to check if suspected terrorists are wearing an explosives belt. The two Arabs did so, uncovering exactly that type of explosive apparel on one of them. The terrorist then yelled, "Allahu Akbar" and started running towards the soldiers. The latter fired at him, he fell to the ground - and exploded. The second Arab, his apparent accomplice, was also killed in the blast. A search of the taxi turned up another bomb in the trunk.



For the first time in a few days, no mortar shells were fired at Jewish communities in Gush Katif last night. Gaza Coast Regional Council head Avner Shimoni denied that he attributes this to recent resolute action by the IDF, though he acknowledged that the army acted effectively last night. Army forces demolished the home of the terrorist who murdered two Israelis in Gush Katif two days ago. The troops encountered and safely neutralized many explosive traps laid by the terrorists to impede their movement. Shimoni said today that what is required is a "full-scale, Operation Defensive Shield-like offensive to completely wipe out the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza."



IDF troops surrounded and entered the PA-controlled city of Tul Karem over the night as part of their anti-terror operations. Local residents put up no resistance. One Fatah-Tanzim terrorist was killed early this morning by IDF fire in the city's slums while he was resisting arrest... Eight wanted terrorists were arrested near Shechem and Ramallah, including two Hamas members...