The infiltrators were captured as they attempted to cross security barriers around the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas near Kerem Shalom and Kfar Aza. In the Kfar Aza incident, at least three Arabs were taken into custody, one of them wounded by IDF gunfire. Near Kerem Shalom, as well, one infiltrator was shot and wounded.... Also last night, an Arab assailant attempted to stab an Israeli at the gas station in the Shomron community of Karnei Shomron. There were no injuries. The Arab assailant fled in a Chevrolet as security forces in the community and surrounding area were put on alert.... This morning (Friday), Hizbullah anti-aircraft fire from southern Lebanon landed in the western Galilee. There are no reports of injuries.
The relatively lower level of terrorist activity is also reflected in the number of terrorism warnings received by Israeli intelligence services. Security establishment officials report the number of credible warnings of planned terrorist attacks is 20, down from 29 at the beginning of the week. But the IDF is not relaxing its arrest operations and seven PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were captured over night in the Shechem, Bethlehem and Hevron districts. Among those arrested were Hamas and Islamic Jihad members.
In related arrests, six so-called "peace activists", including five foreign nationals, were arrested by IDF soldiers on the Shechem Southern Bypass Road yesterday after they interfered with ongoing military operations. The suspects, like four others arrested one day earlier in northern Samaria, were turned over to police custody and will be charged with obstructing soldiers in the fulfillment of their duties. The foreign agitators will be expelled from the country.
Speaking at a military ceremony Thursday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon stated that there is room for cautious optimism in light of the reduction in intelligence warnings and the PA beginning to deal with the elimination of incitement. Nevertheless, the IDF commander pointed out, the process is "fragile" and it is too early to become complacent. Ya'alon added that the terrorist organizations must not be permitted to use the time to rearm and reorganize themselves.
The relatively lower level of terrorist activity is also reflected in the number of terrorism warnings received by Israeli intelligence services. Security establishment officials report the number of credible warnings of planned terrorist attacks is 20, down from 29 at the beginning of the week. But the IDF is not relaxing its arrest operations and seven PA residents suspected of terrorist activities were captured over night in the Shechem, Bethlehem and Hevron districts. Among those arrested were Hamas and Islamic Jihad members.
In related arrests, six so-called "peace activists", including five foreign nationals, were arrested by IDF soldiers on the Shechem Southern Bypass Road yesterday after they interfered with ongoing military operations. The suspects, like four others arrested one day earlier in northern Samaria, were turned over to police custody and will be charged with obstructing soldiers in the fulfillment of their duties. The foreign agitators will be expelled from the country.
Speaking at a military ceremony Thursday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon stated that there is room for cautious optimism in light of the reduction in intelligence warnings and the PA beginning to deal with the elimination of incitement. Nevertheless, the IDF commander pointed out, the process is "fragile" and it is too early to become complacent. Ya'alon added that the terrorist organizations must not be permitted to use the time to rearm and reorganize themselves.