Kalandia crossing in West Bank
Photo: AFP
Closure imposed on West Bank due to terror alerts
Security forces receive 17 specific warnings regarding terror groups’ intent to carry out suicide, mortar, rocket and shooting attacks from West Bank; officials say terrorists aim to open third front against Israel
The IDF and Israel Police have imposed a full closure on the West Bank Monday, this in light of 17 specific warnings received by the security establishment regarding the terror groups’ intent to carry out attacks in Israel.
The majority of warnings relate to possible suicide, mortar, rocket and shooting attacks emanating from the West Bank, as well as attempts to kidnap Israeli civilians and soldiers.
However, it was decided to allow the passage of Palestinians in humanitarian cases and to allow Christian worshipers to pass through the crossings as well.
In the past two weeks security forces have foiled six terror attacks in Israel. On Monday two Palestinian illegal aliens were detained by Haifa police forces on suspicion of planning to carry out a terror attack in the city, and on Sunday another attack was thwarted when a terrorist carrying an explosive belt was caught in a taxicab at a checkpoint near a West Bank settlement. Sappers dispatched to the scene conducted a controlled-detonation of the explosive belt.
According to security officials, the terrorists’ objective is to open a third front in addition to Gaza and Lebanon; Hizbullah was behind most of the foiled attacks, the added.
