Last update - 00:00 10/03/2006
Report: Qaida-linked cell in Lebanon fired rockets at Israel
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
The Lebanese army has arrested a terror cell linked to Al Qaida, suspected of firing Katyusha rockets from Lebanon at Israel, Israel Radio quoted Lebanese newspapers as saying Saturday.
According to the reports, the cell is made up of four Lebanese and four Palestinians, and is led by a Palestinian man with links to Al Qaida leaders.
The cell stored weapons in different areas of Lebanon in order to carry out attacks and for weapons trade purposes, the report said. Lebanese security forces found explosives, missiles, rockets and rifles in the possession of the cell members. The cell members are to stand trial before a military court in Beirut, the report said.
Al Aqsa Brigades vow to fire 200 mortar shells at Israel
A group belonging to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades declared on Friday it intended to barrage Israel with mortar shells in reaction to what it termed "the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank by the occupation forces."
In a written statement, the group said it would fire 200 "Shihab" mortar shells carrying the names of 200 Palestinians killed since the start of the 2000 uprising.
The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a violent offshoot of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, and is responsible for dozens of attacks against Israeli targets in recent years.
Earlier, Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip fired five Qassam rockets toward Israel on Friday, causing no injuries or damage. In a separate incident, gunmen fired an anti-tank missile at an Israel Defense Forces jeep along the Gaza security fence.
The IDF will impose a full closure on the West Bank and Gaza from Saturday night until Wednesday, due to fears of terror attacks during the Purim holiday and ahead of the March 28 elections, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided Friday morning.
Purim is a Jewish holiday during which many people wear costumes and send gift baskets to celebrate victory over an attempt to annihilate Persian Jews in the 4th century BCE, according to the Book of Esther. It takes place Monday night and Tuesday in most of the country, and Tuesday night and Wednesday in Jerusalem.
"We must make every effort to thwart terror attempts in the coming weeks in light of the sensitive period," Mofaz said at a meeting with security officials Friday.
The defense minister said vacations planned by security forces personnel and training sessions they are slated to undergo should be canceled if necessary.
Mofaz also called for increased security in crowded areas, Israel Radio reported.