J'lem: Terror alert level lowered again
Local police declare heightened state of alert in light of increase in terror warnings regarding possible suicide bombing attempt in capital Thursday, but lower alert an hour later
After raising the alert level in the capital Thursday morning in light of increased warnings regarding a possible terror attack in the city, Jerusalem Police lowered the alert level in the early evening for the second time.
Earlier Thursday police heightened the alert level also, but lowered it again several hours later.
Checkpoints were set up throughout the city and patrols were increased as well. More vehicles were inspected, also in crossings located in the around-Jerusalem area.
The security establishment has 83 general warnings on terror plots, 15 of which are specific warnings. Most are regarding the Islamic Jihad organization.
Checkpoints across capital (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Meanwhile, IDF forces are operating deep in the West Bank in search of terrorists; two Islamic Jihad members were apprehended north of Jenin, and a Popular Resistance Committees member was detained in the city itself. In addition, soldiers arrested two arms dealers in Bethlehem, while 3 terror suspects and a Tanzim member were detained in nearby areas.
In accordance with Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s instructions, the Karni crossing was reopened for the transfer of goods from Israel to Gaza Thursday, but due to security reasons it was decided not to permit the transfer of goods from Gaza to Israel.
In the last 24 hours Border Guard forces apprehended 381 Palestinians who resided in Israel illegally. Four Israelis were detained on suspicion of driving the Palestinians into the country; eight others were arrested on suspicion of employing the illegal residents, while another Israeli is suspected of housing them.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
