Materials seized in east Jerusalem

No Israeli killed in West Bank terror attack in 2012

Shin Bet data indicate dramatic drop in number of fatalities in Palestinian terror attacks. However, number of attacks, injuries increases

Yoav Zitun|Published: 01.25.13 , 08:42

No Israeli was killed in a terror attack in the West Bank or Jerusalem in 2012 – for the first time in 39 years, according to the Shin Bet.

Data complied by the Israeli secret service indicate 1,221 Israelis were killed and 8,519 were injured in terror attacks since 2000.

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The data further showed that the Shin Bet thwarted some 100 major terror attacks in the course of 2012. The past year has seen 2,300 terror suspects being nabbed and 2,170 indictments filed in their cases. In addition, some NIS 10 million and 3,000 tons of iron used for terror purposes were seized by the security forces.

According to the data, 2012 saw a 55% decrease in the number of fatalities compared to 2011, with only 10 Israelis killed in terror attacks: six civilians and four members of the security forces.

Nine of the 10 found their deaths in attacks originating in Gaza or the Sinai Peninsula. Six were killed by Gaza rocket fire. One person, George Saado from Ramla, was murdered by an Arab teen for nationalistic motives.

However, while the number of fatalities dropped, the number of people wounded in terror attacks rose. A total of 309 people including nine foreigners were injured in 2012 compared to 159 in 2011.

Some 87% of them (269 people) were injured in the month of November before and during Operation Pillar of Defense. Most of the injured were hit by high trajectory weapons.

The sharp drop in the number of fatalities should not distract from the fact that there has been a rise in the number of terror attacks. The past year has seen 578 attacks compared to 320 in 20111. The majority of attacks (535) involved firebombs – a 68% increase compared to the previous year.

The number of attacks includes 11 instances in which missiles were fired at Air Force jets, seven instances involving anti-tank missiles, an attempt to use a terror tunnel and 23 cases in which firearms were used.

Unsurprisingly, 2012 saw a record in the scope of rocket fire from Gaza with 2,327 launches, mostly during Operation Pillar of Defense.

The Shin Bet's annual report showed that the number of "Jewish terror" attacks against Palestinians dropped to 18 compared to 30 in 2011. However, there has been a significant rise in the involvement of Jewish teens in attacks against Palestinians.

Dozens of suspects were arrested in relation to these attacks. According to the Shin Bet, 43 indictments were filed in these cases in 2012 compared to 40 in 2011.