Hamas is not capable of perpetrating attacks of greater magnitude, according to GSS officials.
Despite this assessment, police, IDF, border police, and other security agencies and units remain on high alert around the country in response to dozens of intelligence community warnings of planned terror attacks. The closure imposed on Palestinian Authority residents of Yesha (Judea, Samaria & Gaza) areas also remains in place at this time.
While the high level of alert continues throughout the country in the wake of the assassination of arch-terrorist Ahmed Yassin, the number of terror warnings, while high, is not unprecedented. Sources in the police report that increased motivation on the part of terrorists to carry out their planned attacks and a cautious security policy on the part of Israeli officials account for the high alert.
As part of the stepped-up security measures ahead of the Passover holiday in a little over a week, the Ministry of Tourism has instructed hotels around the country to recheck the identity cards and work papers of the large number of Arab workers in the industry. Israeli hotels host increased numbers of guests over the Passover holiday and have been targeted by terrorists several times in the past. Among the worst terrorist atrocities in Israel was the Park Hotel Passover massacre two years ago (29 murdered; 140 injured).
In Jerusalem, Police Chief Mickey Levy warned that the Temple Mount is a "volcano about to erupt." Police commanders have decided to increase the deployment of troops in and around Jerusalem's Old City, particularly the Temple Mount, to coincide with Friday Islamic prayers. It was also decided to impose restrictions barring entry to any male under the age of 45 and not holding an Israeli identity card. No restrictions are being imposed on female worshippers.
Despite this assessment, police, IDF, border police, and other security agencies and units remain on high alert around the country in response to dozens of intelligence community warnings of planned terror attacks. The closure imposed on Palestinian Authority residents of Yesha (Judea, Samaria & Gaza) areas also remains in place at this time.
While the high level of alert continues throughout the country in the wake of the assassination of arch-terrorist Ahmed Yassin, the number of terror warnings, while high, is not unprecedented. Sources in the police report that increased motivation on the part of terrorists to carry out their planned attacks and a cautious security policy on the part of Israeli officials account for the high alert.
As part of the stepped-up security measures ahead of the Passover holiday in a little over a week, the Ministry of Tourism has instructed hotels around the country to recheck the identity cards and work papers of the large number of Arab workers in the industry. Israeli hotels host increased numbers of guests over the Passover holiday and have been targeted by terrorists several times in the past. Among the worst terrorist atrocities in Israel was the Park Hotel Passover massacre two years ago (29 murdered; 140 injured).
In Jerusalem, Police Chief Mickey Levy warned that the Temple Mount is a "volcano about to erupt." Police commanders have decided to increase the deployment of troops in and around Jerusalem's Old City, particularly the Temple Mount, to coincide with Friday Islamic prayers. It was also decided to impose restrictions barring entry to any male under the age of 45 and not holding an Israeli identity card. No restrictions are being imposed on female worshippers.