Operation Wheels of Thrust continues in Shechem, and Prime Minister Sharon says it is not limited in time. Army sources say that there are so many terrorist targets and infrastructures in the city that it will take many weeks to deal with all of them. The IDF arrested an 18-year-old Tanzim terrorist this morning on suspicion of planning a suicide attack. Seven other wanted terrorists suspected of involvement in shootings and bombings have also been captured since last night in Shechem and elsewhere in Yesha.
The Shechem mission is being carried out by special IDF forces such as Egoz, Duvdevan, the naval commando, and the paratroopers patrol unit. A senior officer told Ynet, "The operation is being planned such that the intelligence bodies never have to wait. If word comes in of a suspect, forces will go immediately and make the arrest - even at 18 different places in one night, if necessary." Major efforts are being invested into allowing the residents to carry on their normal routines wherever possible. The forces are closing their eyes to mischief, including stealing items from army vehicles, perpetrated by children, but they are dealing more forcefully with firebombing youths. After one firebomb burst into flames on an Israeli tank, the next youth who hurled a similar weapon was shot and killed. Much emphasis is being placed on destroying terrorists' homes, which has been proven to be an effective deterrent, as well as waiting for the wanted terrorists-in-hiding to "make their first mistake" and be caught.
The Shechem mission is being carried out by special IDF forces such as Egoz, Duvdevan, the naval commando, and the paratroopers patrol unit. A senior officer told Ynet, "The operation is being planned such that the intelligence bodies never have to wait. If word comes in of a suspect, forces will go immediately and make the arrest - even at 18 different places in one night, if necessary." Major efforts are being invested into allowing the residents to carry on their normal routines wherever possible. The forces are closing their eyes to mischief, including stealing items from army vehicles, perpetrated by children, but they are dealing more forcefully with firebombing youths. After one firebomb burst into flames on an Israeli tank, the next youth who hurled a similar weapon was shot and killed. Much emphasis is being placed on destroying terrorists' homes, which has been proven to be an effective deterrent, as well as waiting for the wanted terrorists-in-hiding to "make their first mistake" and be caught.