Israeli security forces, in coordination with the intelligence community, are working overtime to prevent planned terrorist attacks against Jewish targets as the nationwide alert continues. Officials indicated that the closure on Palestinian Authority areas in Judea, Samaria and Gaza will most likely remain in effect at least until this weekend, the end of the Haj period, and after the Moslem holiday of ‘Id al-Adha. Today, however, the internal curfews were lifted in most major cities in Judea and Samaria, with the exception of Hevron and Bethlehem. Meanwhile, overnight and this morning, the IDF has seen several successes in its counter-terrorism activities.
Two terrorists armed with an explosive device were shot and killed by IDF forces near the Gush Katif community of Dugit during the night. Also last night in Gush Katif, a terrorist with an explosives vest in his vehicle was apprehended at Orchen Junction. And yet another terrorist, this time already wearing an explosives vest, was apprehended near the Jewish community of Kedumim, in Samaria. In other counter-terrorist activity, IDF troops continued rounding up wanted suspects throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza: in Bituniya, in the Ramallah district, three Hamas terrorists were taken into custody; three Tanzim terrorists were apprehended in Balata, in the Shechem district; other arrests were made in the Shechem and Jenin districts; and four PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were arrested at Gush Katif Junction. They were turned over to the custody of the GSS (General Security Service – Shin/Bet).
The Arab terrorist forces, however, continue their assault. Last night, two firebombs were thrown at Israelis at the Yakir Junction in Samaria, gunfire was directed at an IDF training base in the northern Jordan Valley, and a mortar shell was fired at an IDF outpost in Gaza. There were no injuries in any of the incidents.
In a related matter, the current Islamic holiday season has resulted in widespread concern and terrorism alerts in the United States and the United Kingdom. Military and law enforcement efforts are underway to prevent a major attack that intelligence officials fear will coincide with the end of the Haj this week. In England, British soldiers have been deployed at Heathrow international airport, and in New York, police have been warned to be on the lookout for “conventional or improvised weapons” that may be used to spread deadly chemical or biological agents.
Two terrorists armed with an explosive device were shot and killed by IDF forces near the Gush Katif community of Dugit during the night. Also last night in Gush Katif, a terrorist with an explosives vest in his vehicle was apprehended at Orchen Junction. And yet another terrorist, this time already wearing an explosives vest, was apprehended near the Jewish community of Kedumim, in Samaria. In other counter-terrorist activity, IDF troops continued rounding up wanted suspects throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza: in Bituniya, in the Ramallah district, three Hamas terrorists were taken into custody; three Tanzim terrorists were apprehended in Balata, in the Shechem district; other arrests were made in the Shechem and Jenin districts; and four PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were arrested at Gush Katif Junction. They were turned over to the custody of the GSS (General Security Service – Shin/Bet).
The Arab terrorist forces, however, continue their assault. Last night, two firebombs were thrown at Israelis at the Yakir Junction in Samaria, gunfire was directed at an IDF training base in the northern Jordan Valley, and a mortar shell was fired at an IDF outpost in Gaza. There were no injuries in any of the incidents.
In a related matter, the current Islamic holiday season has resulted in widespread concern and terrorism alerts in the United States and the United Kingdom. Military and law enforcement efforts are underway to prevent a major attack that intelligence officials fear will coincide with the end of the Haj this week. In England, British soldiers have been deployed at Heathrow international airport, and in New York, police have been warned to be on the lookout for “conventional or improvised weapons” that may be used to spread deadly chemical or biological agents.