Overshadowed by the fighting in Iraq, Israel's own war at home proceeds apace, with attacks on Israeli targets and Israeli counter-terrorism successes. The GSS today released for publication news of the arrest three weeks ago of three Israeli-Arabs from Jaljulya on charges of terrorist activities. The three, members of the Islamic Jihad, operated an explosives laboratory in their village, for the purpose of preparing a car bomb by which to kill Jews in Tzrifin, a large army camp in the greater Tel Aviv area. Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler reports that they were also planning to send a suicide bomber into an urban Israeli area. The terrorist cell members took advantage of their Israeli identity cards to travel freely around the country as they made their murderous plans, including to scout out areas and propose sites for attacks.
Jaljulya Mayor Jabber Jabber told Army Radio today that he does not believe that anyone from Jaljulya would be involved in terrorist activities. "No one in Jaljulya supports that kind of thing," he said.
It was also released for publication today that IDF soldiers thwarted a suicide attack last night when they apprehended a suicide bomber and his handler. They were on their way to carry out the attack at the time. The two, also from the Islamic Jihad, were captured in Tubas, in central Shomron. The would-be bomber is a member of the Basharat family, many of whose members were heavily involved in attacks against Israelis.
Among the wounded in yesterday's suicide bombing by a Palestinian terrorist were ten soldiers, including two listed in "moderate" condition. The most seriously wounded among them was Gil Kuperman, who bodily blocked the bomber and absorbed most of the explosion. His condition has improved from "critical" to "serious but stable."
IDF troops spotted, pursued and killed two terrorists last night near Kibbutz Erez, just north of the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. Israeli soldiers were unhurt... Slightly earlier, IDF explosives experts neutralized two explosive devices - including one that was found attached to an Israeli vehicle - in the Erez industrial zone in Gaza... Arabs fired at IDF soldiers in Gaza several times during the night, including near Rafiach, Gadid, and N'vei Dekalim. The troops returned fire, and there were no reports of injuries or damage in the attacks.
Arab terrorists firebombed two Israeli vehicles last night, one in the Shomron and one along the Gush Etzion-Hevron highway. No one was hurt.
At the same time, as a welcoming gesture for the PA's new Prime Minister Abu Mazen - who not long ago said that Jews of Yesha were legitimate targets for Palestinian terrorists - Israel has begun easing restrictions on PA Arabs. Entry of Arab workers into pre-1967 Israel has long been partly limited, due to the ongoing terrorist threat, but several of the restrictions have now been lifted or eased. Israel Radio reports that though this is Israel's way of indirectly helping Abu Mazen strengthen his authority, it is feared that publication of Israel's assistance may actually damage his standing in the PA.
An unidentified IDF source also expressed his misgivings to an Israel Radio correspondent about the possibility that Abu Mazen might indeed succeed in exercising his authority. He said that if Abu Mazen succeeds in implementing a cease-fire for a year, and Israel reacts by lifting the remaining restrictions and making other concessions, this may simply increase the danger - as the PLO and affiliated terrorist groups may use the cease-fire period to re-arm and develop their capabilities for an even more deadly terrorist war later on. However, the Israel Radio correspondent reported, the senior IDF source said that he felt it worth it to take the gamble.
Jaljulya Mayor Jabber Jabber told Army Radio today that he does not believe that anyone from Jaljulya would be involved in terrorist activities. "No one in Jaljulya supports that kind of thing," he said.
It was also released for publication today that IDF soldiers thwarted a suicide attack last night when they apprehended a suicide bomber and his handler. They were on their way to carry out the attack at the time. The two, also from the Islamic Jihad, were captured in Tubas, in central Shomron. The would-be bomber is a member of the Basharat family, many of whose members were heavily involved in attacks against Israelis.
Among the wounded in yesterday's suicide bombing by a Palestinian terrorist were ten soldiers, including two listed in "moderate" condition. The most seriously wounded among them was Gil Kuperman, who bodily blocked the bomber and absorbed most of the explosion. His condition has improved from "critical" to "serious but stable."
IDF troops spotted, pursued and killed two terrorists last night near Kibbutz Erez, just north of the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. Israeli soldiers were unhurt... Slightly earlier, IDF explosives experts neutralized two explosive devices - including one that was found attached to an Israeli vehicle - in the Erez industrial zone in Gaza... Arabs fired at IDF soldiers in Gaza several times during the night, including near Rafiach, Gadid, and N'vei Dekalim. The troops returned fire, and there were no reports of injuries or damage in the attacks.
Arab terrorists firebombed two Israeli vehicles last night, one in the Shomron and one along the Gush Etzion-Hevron highway. No one was hurt.
At the same time, as a welcoming gesture for the PA's new Prime Minister Abu Mazen - who not long ago said that Jews of Yesha were legitimate targets for Palestinian terrorists - Israel has begun easing restrictions on PA Arabs. Entry of Arab workers into pre-1967 Israel has long been partly limited, due to the ongoing terrorist threat, but several of the restrictions have now been lifted or eased. Israel Radio reports that though this is Israel's way of indirectly helping Abu Mazen strengthen his authority, it is feared that publication of Israel's assistance may actually damage his standing in the PA.
An unidentified IDF source also expressed his misgivings to an Israel Radio correspondent about the possibility that Abu Mazen might indeed succeed in exercising his authority. He said that if Abu Mazen succeeds in implementing a cease-fire for a year, and Israel reacts by lifting the remaining restrictions and making other concessions, this may simply increase the danger - as the PLO and affiliated terrorist groups may use the cease-fire period to re-arm and develop their capabilities for an even more deadly terrorist war later on. However, the Israel Radio correspondent reported, the senior IDF source said that he felt it worth it to take the gamble.