Israel Matzav

Purim Attack Prevented: 20-Kg. Bomb Neutralized

Two 18-year old Arabs were caught at a Shchem checkpoint last night trying to smuggle a 20-kilogram bomb into Israel to be blown up on Purim.

The small but powerful, almost 20-kilogram bomb was hidden in a large jar of olives, which two 18-year-olds were carrying in a duffle bag.

The two youths acted "strangely," an officer said, arousing the suspicions of the checkpoint soldiers. The soldiers told them to place their bags on the ground, at which point a suspicious object was noted, and the entire checkpoint entered "suicide terrorist" mode. The terrorists were told to move away from the bags, the checkpoint was closed, and sappers were called to the site. Upon their arrest, the Arabs told investigators that the bomb originated in Shechem, where terrorist activity has been on the increase of late.

Israel is on high terrorist alert throughout the country, and particularly in the north, because of fear of Purim terrorist attacks. The holiday is tonight (Monday) and tomorrow in most of the country, while in Jerusalem, it is tomorrow night and Wednesday.

Israel's intelligence community is considering 59 different terrorist warnings, including 14 specific ones. Three specific warnings were received just last night (Sunday). A closure has been imposed on the PA-controlled areas in Judea and Samaria, and thousands of policemen and volunteers are manning areas around the country.

'Peace' is at hand.

/sarc

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:29 AM