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Troops confront Palestinian rioters
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin

Drop in terror attacks continues, 38 in June from 580 in January

Shin Bet figures indicate volume of attacks is continuing to drop in months after Operation Cast Lead. Only 38 incidents recorded in June compared to 580 in January. Military acknowledges achievement, but warns against complacency

Not a single Israeli citizen was wounded in a terror attack within Israel or the territories over the course of the past month, a first for 2009. According to data released by the Shin Bet, the decline in terror incidents in the West Bank and the Gaza border is the lowest it's been since Operation Cast Lead.

 

According to the figures, January (the month of the IDF's extensive operation against Hamas in Gaza) saw no less than 580 terror-related attacks. In February and March the numbers dropped to around 120 a month.

 

Most of the incidents in the West Bank were less elaborate than those on the Gaza border, youths hurling Molotov cocktails or rocks at vehicles rather than organized terror groups launching Qassam rockets and mortar shells, planting explosive devices near the border, anti-tank fire, and small-arms fire.

 

In April there were 69 terror-related incidents, and in May there were 51. During these months there was an average of 10-20 Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza.

 

In June the numbers dropped even further, with a record-low of 38 incidents – 22 in the West Bank and 16 in Gaza. Furthermore, not a single Israeli citizen was wounded during this month.

 

"We see this as an achievement," a military official told Ynet, "particularly the fact that there were no casualties on our side, but we must not succumb to complacency because the terror groups are still highly motivated to carry out attacks. So the troops' efforts must continue."

 

The official said that terror groups in Gaza have an interest in only lowering the volume of attacks rather than stopping them completely. In the West Bank he attributed to the drop to the IDF's activity as well as the calm in Palestinian areas.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.06.09, 22:28
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