IDF Expects Fresh Wave Of West Bank Terror
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Senior Israeli defense officials are warning that Palestinian terrorists based in the West Bank are expected to launch a renewed campaign of violence in the near future. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post Thursday, one high-ranking Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer said the Palestinians are growing impatient over Israel's failure to offer any peace concessions, and may look to pressure Jerusalem through acts of terror. He noted that Hamas and Islamic Jihad in particular are establishing sleeper cells and stockpiling arms. The officer added that the Palestinian groups are studying Hezbollah tactics used with deadly effect against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon this summer in order to thwart counter-terror operations. On Friday, Israeli troops spotted militants staking out an army outpost near the northern West Bank town of Jenin. After chasing down the suspects, soldiers found bomb-planting equipment in their vehicle. Meanwhile, intelligence officials told Israel's Ynet that Hamas is building an army in the Gaza Strip that at current rates of expansion will be ready to take on the IDF as early as next summer. According to one official, Hamas now has 7,500 men under arms in Gaza, divided into highly-trained specialized units, including a short-range missile unit, a long-range missile unit and an anti-tank unit. For |
