The IDF recommends that Yesha residents not hitchhike. The warning comes in light of intelligence that the terrorists may try to abduct civilians and demand the release of other terrorists in return. It should be noted that hitchhiking in Yesha is almost a "way of life," and is almost the only practical mode of transportation along certain routes. Brig.-Gen. Gershon Yitzchak, Shomron Formation Commander, briefed local leaders and security officers on the issue last night. The Yesha Council says it will now ask the Egged and Dan bus companies to increase the frequency of their routes.
An undercover IDF unit killed two armed Hamas terrorists near Jenin this afternoon, who were engaged in planning an attack in northern Israel… An IDF force accompanied by tanks briefly entered Jericho this afternoon to capture an Islamic Jihad fugitive, five years after he escaped from an Israeli prison. He had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in terrorist attacks… An Israeli-Arab resident of the Wadi Area was accused today in a Haifa court of being an accomplice to Sirhan Sirhan, who murdered five Israelis, including a mother and her two small children, in Kibbutz Metzer several weeks ago… The commander of the Tanzim military wing in the Shechem region was arrested today...
The curfews in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and neighboring areas have been removed for the next few days, in honor of the upcoming Christian holidays. The IDF will allow visitors and worshipers to arrive at the Church of the Nativity and other sites, but will remain on "high alert" to prevent terrorist activity.