In an early-morning wide-ranging military operation in the "terrorist refuge" center of Jericho, the IDF arrested 35 wanted terrorists and confiscated large amounts of weapons and explosives. Among the arrested terrorists was Abdel Fatah Dula, who was involved in the enticement and murder of 16-year-old Ophir Rachum three and a half years ago. Dula was shot while trying to evade capture, and was taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment before his scheduled interrogation.
Among the participating forces were helicopters, 30-40 tanks, Nachal Hareidi troops, and Border Guard police. They captured Kalachnikov rifles, grenades, pistols, IDF uniforms, and more. Jericho has long been considered a quiet city, but provided refuge for wanted terrorists who had lately become more active in planning attacks. The murderers of the late Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi have been "held" in Jericho by PA forces since April 2002.
In Shechem (Nablus), IDF forces have instituted a curfew, taken over a central point of command, and are carrying out a wave of arrests.
Jerusalem police have raised the level of security alert, in the wake of intelligence regarding terrorists on their way to perpetrate an attack. Checkpoints have been established in the city, the northern entrances have been closed, and patrols have been increased.