israel news

Israel News for 12-31-18

Gaza Update
Over the weekend Hamas fired a rocket into Israel from Gaza and the IDF responded with a helicopter strike against a Hamas military target. No injuries or damages were caused by the rocket. It was the first rocket launched from Gaza since November. The incident follows the border rioting on Friday during which 5,000 people rioted, some of whom threw grenades and rocks. One rioter was shot and killed by IDF fire and 6 wounded.

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New Right
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Education Minister Naftali Bennett have split off from their Bayit Yehudi party to form a new party called the New Right. The New Right will focus on getting votes from the secular right wing, while Bayit Yehudi will continue to focus on the religious Zionist camp. After the elections the two parties will reportedly form a joint faction on the assumption that they will have won more Knesset seats than currently held by Bayit Yehudi alone. However, the split could also result in one of the parties failing to pass the minimum required threshold to gain entry into the Knesset, which could harm any potential right wing coalition.

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US Troops
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, an outspoken critic of President Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, announced yesterday that he had met with the President and that the process of withdrawing the troops has been slowed down.

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US Legislation
The Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump back in October and recently approved by the US Congress, would allow US authorities to seize assets from any foreign “terrorist entity” that receives financial aid from the American government.The law would also permit any US citizen to sue the Palestinian Authority (PA) for its involvement in terror activity and be compensated by the money received through financial aid.

The PA security apparatus in Ramallah is the only area still eligible for US financial assistance—believed to be in the region of $61 million annually—after earlier this year the State Department announced that Trump administration decided to cut more than $200 million in bilateral aid to the Palestinians, following a review of the funding for projects in the West Bank and Gaza.

Over the past month, the Trump administration have reportedly been scrambling to amend the legislation in order to ensure the US security assistance to the PA continues. A senior Israeli official told Ynet that Israel has also been working behind the scenes to ensure the law is amended, and once the US Congress returns from the Christmas break, there is a “reasonable” chance the legislation will indeed undergo the necessary changes.

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Seller Convicted
A Palestinian Authority court in Ramallah today sentenced Isaam Akel, a Palestinian American citizen, to life in prison with hard labor for his involvement in the sale of properties to Jews. The US State Department and the US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman have protested against his arrest and incarceration and have demanded his immediate release.

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Poverty Line
According to the annual poverty report of the National Insurance Institute,1,780,500 people, including 466,400 families and 814,800 children, live below the poverty line in Israel. The poverty rate among Arabs and Ultra Orthodox hovers close to 50%. Israel still has the highest rate of poverty of any OECD country.

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New Israelis
Aliyah (immigration) to Israel rose 5% in 2018 compared with 2017, the Jewish Agency reports. 29,600 immigrants reached Israel in 2018, up from 28,220 in 2017. The main reason for the rise was a 45% jump in immigration from Russia with 10,500 immigrants coming to Israel in 2018. 6,500 immigrants arrived from Ukraine this year, down 9% from 2017.

There were 3,550 immigrants to Israel from North America, a similar number to last year. 2,600 immigrants arrived from France, down 25% from 2017, 660 immigrants from Brazil, down 4% and just over 500 immigrants from the UK, down 4%. There were 330 immigrants from Argentina, up 17% and 320 immigrants from South Africa, down 2%.

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Israel News for 12-28-18

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Hamas Balloons
A cluster of 10 balloons attached to an explosive device landed today near a kindergarten yard in moshav Kfar Maimon in the Sdot Negev Regional Council, close to the Israeli border with Gaza. Police were called to neutralize the device. The incident comes after several weeks with no reports of incendiary balloons being launched from Gaza. The IDF is on high alert at the Gaza border today in anticipation of potential rioting and infiltration attempts.

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Brazil Visit
PM Netanyahu landed in Rio De Janeiro and will meet with the president-elect of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, later today. Netanyahu’s visit centers on the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as Brazil’s new president on Jan. 1 in the country’s capital city, Brasilia.

The historic visit – the first of a sitting Israeli prime minister to Brazil – is considered strategic because both leaders will discuss the details of the transfer of the Brazilian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, one of Bolsonaro’s key promises during his campaign. Netanyahu will be the first and only foreign leader to meet with Bolsonaro before he is sworn in next week.

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New Parties
Lieutenant General (res.) Benny Gantz, former chief of staff of the IDF, registered a new political party yesterday called “Hosen Leyisrael’, apparently to be known in English as the “Israel Resilience Party”. Member of Knesset Orly Levy-Abekasis, who resigned from the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has also registered a new party, called “Gesher” (“Bridge”). Recent polls indicate that Gantz’s new part will win over 10 Knesset seats in the upcoming election. This could be a game changer.

The early elections were confirmed by a vote by the Knesset on Wednesday to disperse.

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Israel News for 12-26-18

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Syrian Missiles
Israeli Missile Defense systems near Hadera were activated last night against a missile apparently fired from Syria. There were no injuries or damage reported. Also last night, Israel reportedly attacked 3 targets near Damascus. Syrian state media reported Syrian air defenses intercepted “hostile targets” near Damascus and added that the attack, “originated from above the Lebanese territories.” An Iranian 747 allegedly carrying advanced weapons for the Syrian army and Hezbollah landed in Damascus earlier last night, which could explain the reported Israeli attack.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said today that 6 Israeli F16’s had carried out the airstrikes from Lebanese airspace and that Syrian missile defense had shot down 14 of the 16 missiles fired. The ministry said, “We are very concerned by the attacks and how they were made. This is a gross violation of the sovereignty of Syria.” Sources in the US Defense Department claim that several senior Hezbollah officials were hit in the strikes.

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Poll Results
Following PM Netanyahu’s calling for early elections to be held in April, a new poll published in the Maariv newspaper showed the PM’s Likud party winning 30 seats and the right wing coalition holding on to a majority of the Knesset.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s office is apparently going to hold off on making any recommendations either for or against indicting Netanyahu until after the elections so as not to influence the election results.

Nahum Barnea, a senior political commentator, said Mandelblit was in a no-win situation and likened his plight to that of former FBI Director James Comey during the 2016 American presidential election.

He wrote: “If Mandelblit decides to postpone the decision until after the elections, many Israelis will ask — and justly so — for whom are they being asked to vote. Is it for a man who is facing charges of bribery or for a man who is facing lesser charges?”

“If Mandelblit decides to release his decision in the midst of the run-up to the elections, he will be attacked by all of the candidates running on the Likud’s list, first and foremost among them Netanyahu. By what right is he meddling in the elections, they will ask.”

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Ambassador Resigning
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, reportedly plans to resign from his position in order to run for a Knesset seat on the Likud list in the upcoming early election to be held in April.

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More Homes
The Defense Ministry committee responsible for authorizing settlement construction on Tuesday advanced plans for roughly 1,300 homes in the West Bank, with some 400 more slated for approval in an additional session scheduled for today.

The communities that saw plans given a final okay included Adora (18), Tene (135), Ma’ale Michmash (62), Givat Ze’ev (220), Neve Daniel (180), and Carmei Tzur (120). Other communities with projects in various stages of approval include Beit Haggai (94), Shiloh (75), Halamish (100), Yitzhar, Rehalim, Shavei Shomron, and Har Bracha.

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Pot Exports
The medical cannabis export law proposed by MK Yoav Kisch (Likud) has been approved on its second and third Knesset readings. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Social Equality all support the legislation.

The issue of exports will now be referred to the cabinet. The law regulates export procedures, but does not yet constitute official approval for exports. Only a positive cabinet decision will enable exports to go ahead. Sources close to the cabinet believe that the decision will pass unless vetoed by the Prime Minister.

Eight cannabis growing companies and a number of cannabis products, production, marketing, and distribution companies currently operate in Israel. Dozens of farmers with licenses in principle to grow cannabis are waiting for a decision about exports in order to go ahead with activity in the field.

Revenues from cannabis exports could total as high as NIS 4 billion a year.

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Israel News for 12-24-18

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Border Attack
Last night, IDF soldiers opened fire at a group of gunmen who crossed the 1974 ceasefire line in the Golan Heights and were approaching Israel’s border fence from Syria. No Israeli injuries were reported in the incident and the IDF is working to determine whether the unidentified individuals had been on an intelligence-gathering operation. The infiltrators did not succeed in entering Israel.

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Israel in Syria
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria shouldn’t be “exaggerated” as it has little bearing on Israel’s activity in the region since the Israeli military has been operating independently in the war-torn country for years.

Eisenkot pointed out that, “The Iranians had a vision where they had 100,000 fighters in Syria including ground troops, navy and intelligence unit, as well as a number of outposts along the Golan Heights … Over the past two years we’ve been able to thwart these plans, entirely on our own. However, we still haven’t been able to destroy the Iranian capabilities to establish regional hegemony in Syria.” He added that Israel continues to mount air strikes to prevent advanced Iranian weapons from being smuggled into Lebanon.

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More Work
PM Netanyahu has appointed Tourism Minister Yariv Levin as the new Minister of Aliyah (immigration) and Integration. Levin will hold both portfolios.

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No Sale
The Palestinian Authority announced on Sunday that its security forces have thwarted attempts by Palestinians to sell lands and houses in the West Bank and east Jerusalem to Jewish buyers, and the PA’s Preventive Security Service said in a rare statement that it has arrested 44 Palestinians suspected of involvement in the alleged real estate transactions.

In recent weeks, Palestinian religious authorities have repeatedly warned Palestinians against engaging in such deals and said that anyone who violates the law would be accused of “high treason.” The warning came in the aftermath of a number of cases in which east Jerusalem residents either sold their houses to Jewish organizations or were suspected of acting as middlemen in the real estate transactions.

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Israel News for 12-21-18

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Shooting Attack
Last night terrorists opened fire at a bus stop outside of Ofra from the nearby Arab village of Ein Yabrud. There were several people there at the time. There were no injuries reported.

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Syrian Situation
In response to US President Trump’s decision to withdraw all US troops from Syria, PM Netanyahu said, “We will continue to act very aggressively against Iran’s efforts to entrench in Syria. We do not intend to reduce our efforts. We will intensify them, and I know that we do so with the full support and backing of the United States.”

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Prosecutor Speaks
Liat Ben-Ari, a senior prosecutor on the team investigating PM Netanyahu, has recommended indicting him on charges of bribery in three separate investigations. Ben-Ari’s recommendations were forwarded to State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan and his team. Nitzan then passed them on to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who will decide whether to indict Netanyahu.

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Ambulance Scuffle
Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical service organization, filed a NIS 2.6 million lawsuit against United Hatzalah, a volunteer-run paramedic services organization based in Jerusalem, for allegedly spreading false reports “in an attempt to discredit and delegitimize MDA’s work.”

As part of its national duties granted by the Ministry of Health, MDA is responsible for operating a national call center for all emergency medical services in the country, including those given by United Hatzalah. MDA claims that “despite the clear and explicit instructions given by the Ministry of Health, United Hatzalah established its own emergency call center (1221) and operated it.” MDA claims, “They also spread false information and claim that making a call to 1221 is the same as calling 101.”

The Ministry of Health determined that as of July 2017, United Hatzalah is to stop promoting their call center, and that all emergency calls should be immediately transferred to the MDA. According to the MDA, “These new guidelines angered Hatzalah, who started attacking MDA and spreading incorrect information, saying that the Ministry of Health does whatever the MDA tells them to.”

In response to the lawsuit, Hatzalah responded, “The sum MDA is suing for only comes to show that they work for profit, and have been making large sums of money at the expense of the Israeli public. This time, they’re trying to do so at the expense of 5,000 volunteers.”

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Gaza Soda
Pepsico CEO Ramon Laguarta and Sodastream CEO Daniel Birnbaum took the stage together at the 2018 Globes Business Conference in Jerusalem to speak about Pepsico’s acquisition of Israeli home carbonated drinks company Sodastream this year for $3.2 billion and to reveal that they are in the process of setting up a Sodastream plant in Gaza. Birnbaum said, “We want people in Gaza to have real jobs, because when there is prosperity and plenty, there will also be peace.”

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Israel News for 12-19-18

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Message to UN
PM Netanyahu yesterday urged the United Nations Security Council to take action against Hezbollah over its tunnels dug from Lebanon under the Israeli border. He said the council should condemn the Lebanese militant group’s “wanton acts of aggression,” designate it a terrorist organization and heighten sanctions against it. He also said that UNIFIL, the UN organization in Lebanon, should be granted full unrestricted access in southern Lebanon.

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Moscow and Hamas
Russia’s Foreign Ministry invited the head of Hamas to Moscow for talks. Israel protested the invitation. The Russians reportedly rebuffed the protest, claiming that Israel itself speaks with Hamas. Moscow has recently stepped up their involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as part of the Russian effort to establish its dominance of the Middle East.

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Expulsion Bill
A bill sponsored by the Bayit Yehudi party that would allow the IDF to expel the families of terrorists passed its preliminary vote in the Knesset by a margin of 69 to 38. If passed, the chief of the IDF’s Central Command would be able to order relatives of terrorists to be expelled from their homes within seven days of a terror attack, and sent to a different area within Judea and Samaria.

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Back to Amona
Dozens of settlers erected 2 housing units at Amona, the outpost that was forcibly evacuated almost 2 years ago. The move is in response to the recent terror attacks in the area, and was reportedly not coordinated with the IDF or civil administration. Peace Now said it would file a complaint with the police against the settlers and appeal to the attorney general.

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Greenblatt Condemns
Jason Greenblatt, US special envoy to the Middle East, condemned revenge attacks by Israeli settlers in response to the recent wave of Palestinian violence in the West Bank. On Friday, Greenblatt tweeted: “The recent Palestinian terrorist attacks against Israelis are unconscionable. But throwing rocks at vehicles that have nothing to do with these attacks is NOT a legitimate response. Innocent people could be killed.”

He also tweeted, “As I denounced incitement on the Palestinian side, I deplore the incitement to assassinate President Abbas. That’s totally unacceptable! All peace-loving people should denounce such acts as well.”

And this: “Those countries that financially support the PA but ignore the fact that the terrorists and their families will now be rewarded for their vicious actions of murdering Israelis should speak out and consider enacting a law similar to the Taylor Force Act.”

To follow Jason Greenblatt’s twitter feed click here.

Yeshiva High
According to a report by the Israel Democracy Institute, the number of registered yeshiva students in Israel has hit a new all-time high of 124,450 in 2017. The number includes both Israeli students and foreign nationals and is a 31% increase over the number just 3 years ago. The increase is at least partially due to the increased funding of yeshivas by the current government.

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Startup City
Yokneam, a small city in the Lower Galilee around 50 miles from Tel Aviv, is transforming into one of the country’s fastest-growing tech hubs thanks to generous government tax breaks, special grants and a high overall quality of life. There are currently around 8,000 people employed by the city’s 160 tech companies. Initially, many American companies were investing in the area but in the last few years, Chinese investments have been flowing in. The city exports roughly $6 billion worth of technology products annually, primarily in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.

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Israel News for 12-17-18

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Stronger Action
Education Minister Naftali Bennett, along with other ministers from coalition parties Bayit Yehudi, Kulanu and even the ruling Likud party, joined a protest rally of Jewish settlers in Jerusalem yesterday, demanding that the PM take stronger action against terrorists in the West Bank.

Bennett said, “We’re tired of promises. The prime minister promised that terrorists’ homes would be demolished within 48 hours, but they have yet to demolish the homes of Ari Fuld’s murderers and the murderers of the soldiers in Givat Asaf. I call on the prime minister—if you make a promise, keep it.” He added, “It’s time for Israel to go back to winning.” [Sounds familiar]

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel said, ”There is no one among the people who would allow terrorism—not in Gaza, not in the north, and not in Judea and Samaria. Not just Bayit Yehudi, but the Likud Party also demands security. This demand is made of the defense minister and prime minister, and it’s clear: Let the IDF win. The IDF knows how to do the job, even on three fronts.”

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked urged PM Netanyahu to support legislation proposed by Bayit Yehudi that would allow expelling the families of terrorists from their homes and that would legalize outposts in the West Bank built with government acquiescence.

Housing and Construction Minister Yoav Galant said he was “proud of the construction in all of the communities. We’ll give them legitimization and continue building. Your settlement is the real Zionism of our time. We’ll establish security in Judea and Samaria, no matter the cost. Every terrorist will end his life in prison or in a cemetery.”

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House Demo
This morning the IDF demolished the house of the terrorist who murdered 2 Israelis in the Barkan terror attack 2 months ago. The house was in the village of Shweiki near Tulkarem. The terrorist was discovered and killed by police last week after a long and intense manhunt.

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Russian Flags
Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported last week that Moscow is allowing fighters from Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian Shiite groups operating in Syria to carry Russian flags in order to protect them from Israeli airstrikes. Russian flags were recently seen near the military airport in the Syrian city of Hama, where Iranian installations were attacked by the IAF in the past. The flags were also flying in the cities of Homs and Idlib, as well as in the Syrian desert. Israel has reportedly lodged a complaint with the Russians regarding the issue.

An Israeli military delegation visited Moscow last week to discuss the Syrian situation. Prior to the meeting, a senior Russian defense official said, “The chaotic damage done to Syrian infrastructure by the IAF [Israel Air Force], on the pretext of an Iranian threat, is unacceptable to us.”

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Israel News for 12-14-18

Terror Attack
A 21 year old IDF soldier was seriously wounded Friday morning after a Palestinian man stabbed him and struck him in the head with a stone at a military post on the outskirts of the settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah.

The IDF spokesperson said, “a fight broke out between the soldier and the assailant, who stabbed the soldier and struck him with a rock from a short distance. Evidence in the field indicates that the assailant was also injured in the struggle. The incident is still being examined. IDF troops are searching the area.”

Overnight, security forces arrested 40 Palestinians, including 37 Hamas operatives, suspected of participating in terror activities.

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Terror Victims
The 2 IDF soldiers shot to death in yesterday’s terror attack at a bus stop near the settlement of Giv’at Asaf were laid to rest today. Hundreds attended their funerals in Ashkelon and Jerusalem. Sergeant Yosef Cohen, aged 19 from Beit Shemesh, and 20-year-old Staff Sergeant Yovel Moryosef from Ashkelon were known as being extremely motivated and giving men.

Several hours before the shooting,  Moryosef told his father on Whatsapp that he had volunteered to take over guard duty at the bus stop for some friends instead of going home—so that his friends could rest. 

One soldier remarked, “Everyone loved them,” said M. “They were people who were always willing to volunteer. They would lend a hand to anyone who needed help. Good people, salt of the earth. Whenever the company sergeant major asked for help, they were always the first to volunteer, and they were very motivated. I remember when we were on a break, and one soldier had no money for a drink, so Yossi (Cohen) took out his wallet and bought it for him. He did not want everyone to have except for one person.”

May their memory serve as a blessing.

Meanwhile, a third soldier shot in the terror attack at the bus stop is in critical condition and fighting for his life. His name is Netanel Ilan (son of) Sheyna Tzipora. He moved to Israel with his family from Silver Spring, MD. May he be granted a full and speedy recovery.

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Israel News for 12-13-18

Terror Attack
Earlier today, a terrorist got out of his vehicle and opened fire on soldiers and civilians standing at a bus stop at the Givat Asaf Junction, not far from Ofra, on highway 60. Two people were killed and 2 seriously wounded. All the victims were in their 20’s. The terrorist returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. The IDF is hunting for the terrorist. It is also investigating a possible connection between this attack and the shooting attack near Ofra on Sunday in which 6 people were wounded and a newborn infant was killed.

At around 5am today, a terrorist heading from the direction of the Damascus Gate attacked and attempted to stab a Jewish man on Hagai Street. After he failed to do so, he ran towards two Border Police officers who were stationed nearby and tried to stab them as well. One of the officers shot and killed the 26 year old terrorist. Both officers, a 19 year old female and 21 year old male were lightly injured and are being treated in hospital.

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Terrorists Killed
Israeli Police anti terror forces (Yamam) found and killed the terrorist who murdered 2 Israelis in the Barkan industrial zone 2 months ago. The terrorist was armed when police discovered his hiding place. He exchanged fire with police. No police were injured.

During the search, over 100 Palestinians were arrested and questioned by security forces on suspicion they aided the terrorist or were aware of his terror activity. Some of the suspects, including the terrorist’s father, were charged. The interrogation of these suspects found that Na’alwa was planning to carry out another attack.

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Yamam forces also shot and killed the terrorist suspected of perpetrating the shooting attack near Ofra on Sunday. The terrorist was traveling in a taxi in the town of Surda, north of Ramallah when he was shot. Another suspected terrorist was in the taxi and also shot and wounded.

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Israel News for 12-12-18

Terror Ramming
A terrorist crashed his vehicle into an Israeli Civil Administration vehicle near Hebron yesterday. As the terrorist tried to escape, he hit a Border Police officer with his car, lightly wounding him. Border Police shot and killed the terrorist. In another incident, a terrorist attempted to ram his vehicle into an IDF force in the village of Al-Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley. The soldiers fired into the air, stopping the vehicle. The terrorist was wounded and received medical care. IDF forces are still searching for the terrorist responsible for the shooting in Ofra this Sunday.

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Northern Tunnels
The IDF has so far uncovered 3 Hezbollah tunnels running from Lebanon into Israel as part of Operation Northern Shield. The IDF said it held the Lebanese government responsible for the attack tunnels dug from its territory. PM Netanyahu visited the northern border yesterday and met with IDF commanders and soldiers. He warned Hezbollah, “If they make the mistake of choosing to harm us, they will sustain an unimaginable blow.” Lebanon’s President said that there was no threat to peace as a result of the Israeli operation and that Lebanon was a firm supporter of UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last war between Hezbollah and Israel. 

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Mines Cleared
Israeli and foreign engineers have finally cleared out all the mines around three churches on the western bank of the Jordan River, along the Israeli Jordanian border, near where Jesus is believed to have been baptized. Seven churches have lain abandoned for more than 50 years in the area of operations, about a kilometer (half-mile) from the Qasr al-Yahud baptism site in the West Bank, which is a major draw for Christian pilgrims.

Israel’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday that mine-clearing had been completed around three of the shrines—belonging to the Franciscan order and the Greek Orthodox and Ethiopian churches—though they have yet to be formally opened to the clergy or the public. Work around the other four shrines—Syrian Orthodox, Coptic, Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic—would take months to complete, and engineers worry that some of them might have been booby-trapped.

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