Last update - 00:00 11/02/2008
IDF imposes closure on Jenin to thwart would-be suicide bomber
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
For the first time in months, the Israel Defense Forces imposed a full closure on the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday after receiving a tip that a suicide bomber planned to use it as a base to attack an Israeli target.
Security forces fear renewed efforts by militants to carry out attacks, because of the escalation in violence between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the strikes on wanted Palestinian militants in the West Bank.
An active Islamic Jihad terror cell planned and carried out a number of suicide bombings from the northern West Bank between 2003 and 2006, until its senior leaders were killed by the Israel Defense Forces.
Meanwhile, the Shin Bet security service announced Sunday night that it would allow dozens of wanted Palestinians affiliated with Fatah to travel unharmed in the West Bank as part of an ongoing amnesty deal with Israel. According to the deal, some 200 wanted gunmen will undergo a test period during which they will remain under the watch of Palestinian Authority security forces. The Shin Bet said most of the 200 men have abided by the rules of the agreement and have not gone back to carrying out terror attacks.
Shin Bet added that a "positive dynamic" had been created for Fatah members who were not included in the deal, but warned that militants who have not received their okay to travel freely will be considered valid targets.
Meanwhile, an Israeli civilian was lightly wounded on Monday when Palestinians hurled stones at his car in Kafr Hawara, near Nablus.
Related articles: