The Cabinet is meeting at this hour to discuss the army's current anti-terror offensive in Shechem. Large infantry, helicopter and armored forces entered the PA-controlled terrorist stronghold early this morning from two directions, in a mission that is expected to last up to a few weeks. The objective is to root out and arrest terrorists, and destroy the entire terrorist infrastructures in the region. The Israelis were greeted with Arab gunfire, as well as at least one explosive charge, but no one was hurt.
The forces entered the nearby Balata camp and Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah, as well. Eight suicide terrorists came from Balata in the past few months. The mission in Shechem is concentrating on the Kasbah market area, and has already arrested some 30 terrorists. Military sources compared the new offensive to that which was recently completed in Jenin, which lasted two and a half weeks. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz reviewed and approved the details of the plan.
The forces entered the nearby Balata camp and Bir Zeit, north of Ramallah, as well. Eight suicide terrorists came from Balata in the past few months. The mission in Shechem is concentrating on the Kasbah market area, and has already arrested some 30 terrorists. Military sources compared the new offensive to that which was recently completed in Jenin, which lasted two and a half weeks. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz reviewed and approved the details of the plan.