Israeli forces kill terrorist behind Samaria rabbi’s murder in overnight clash
At least one member of the terrorist cell responsible for the death of Rabbi Raziel Shevach near the Samaria outpost of Havat Gilad last week was killed in an overnight gunfight with Israeli forces in Jenin Thursday morning (18th).
A tip about where the cell members were hiding led a large contingent of IDF, Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency forces to Jenin early Thursday morning, where they were caught in a heavy exchange of fire.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Ahmed Jarrar, a member of the Hamas military wing, Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades and the son of Hamas commander Nasser Jarrar, was killed in the exchange. Several other Palestinians were reportedly injured.
Two member of the Israeli Police special forces were wounded in the exchange of gunfire, one seriously and one in light condition. Both were transported to Haifa’s Rambam Hospital.
(worldisraelnews.com; israelhayom.com)
Netanyahu: We will bring to justice anyone who harms Israelis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished a speedy recovery to the policemen injured in an early Thursday morning (18th) raid in Jenin, telling reporters who are accompanying him in India that Israel will stop at nothing to bring terrorists to justice.
“We will reach anyone who tries to harm Israeli citizens, and the state will make sure they are brought to justice,” Netanyahu said Thursday morning (18th).
Two Israeli policemen were wounded and at least one member of a Hamas cell in Jenin was killed.
The operation was aimed at apprehending the terrorists behind the January 9th killing of a rabbi in a drive-by shooting near the Havat Gilad outpost.
(reuters.com; jpost.com)
Rivlin in visit to policemen wounded in Jenin: ‘Those wishing to harm us will be found anywhere’
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin traveled to Haifa’s Rambam Hospital to visit the Yamam policemen wounded in Thursday’s early morning (18th) operation to kill a group of terrorists who murdered Raziel Shevah near his Havat Gilad home.
“We’re here to thank the police and the Border Police,” Rivlin said. “We’ll continue and tell anyone who wishes to harm us – we will find you anywhere. Let anybody considering raising a hand against an Israeli citizen, simply because they are Israeli – know this, we will find you.”
(ynetnews.com)
Hamas: ‘Jenin cell is not the first and it won’t be the last’
The Hamas terror group responded Thursday (18th) to the IDF’s killing in Jenin of a terrorist involved in last week’s fatal drive-by shooting of Rabbi Raziel Shevah, saying in a statement:
“The Jenin cell is not the first and will not be the last. The criminal security cooperation will not prevent the resistance from standing up to Trump’s decision and from protecting Jerusalem.”
(ynetnews.com)
Abbas: Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem was “sinful” – Hamza Hendawi
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday (17th) in Cairo that President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was “sinful.” “Jerusalem will be a gate for peace only if it is Palestine’s capital, and it will be a gate of war, fear and the absence of security and stability, God forbid, if it is not.”
(ap.com; washingtonpost.com)
Navy’s new defense system can mislead enemy missiles – Yoav Zitun
The Israeli Navy has a new defense system to protect against the most advanced anti-ship cruise missiles and shoulder-fired missiles. In response to an incoming missile, the system launches chaff rockets to create a “wall” of hundreds of metal wires which mislead the enemy missile into thinking this is the Israeli ship, diverting the missile before it hits its target.
An additional new defense system allows naval vessels to disrupt the frequencies of enemy missile radars.
(ynetnews.com)
Trial opens in Bulgaria for 2012 bombing of Israeli tourists
On July 18, 2012, Mohamad Hassan el-Husseini, a French-Lebanese national, blew himself up on a tourist bus at the airport in the Black Sea resort of Burgas, killing five Israelis and their bus driver, and injuring 35. A Bulgarian court has opened the trial in absentia of Meliad Farah, a dual Lebanese-Australian national, and Hassan El Hajj Hassan, a dual Lebanese-Canadian national, who provided the explosive device and logistical support to the bomber on behalf of Hizbullah.
(ap.com; washingtonpost.com)
Russia starts shipping S-400 air defense missile systems to China
MOSCOW – Russia has started delivering its S-400 surface-to-air missile system to China under the terms of a contract signed in 2014, the TASS news agency reported, citing an unnamed source in the Russian Military-Industrial Complex as saying on Thursday (18th).
(tass.com)
Israeli airline to divert flights ahead of stormy weekend
An Israeli airline said it would divert all its flights from Tel Aviv’s Dov Airport, due to stormy weather conditions and limited visibility expected to make takeoffs and landings impossible.
Arkia said all its scheduled flights would be transferred to the International Ben Gurion Airport starting Thursday (18th) because of predictions of heavy rainfall, snow, and powerful wind gales, predicted to last through Friday (19th).
Stormy conditions are expected throughout the country, including snow on Mount Hermon and on hilltops in Israel’s north.
(timesofisrael.com)
Last fallen soldier from Lebanon War laid to rest 31 years later – Itay Blumenthal
Sgt. Abraham Ajami, 49, who was wounded at age 19 while fighting in Lebanon in 1987 and has since been in a vegetative state, passed away on Tuesday (16th) and was laid to rest Wednesday (17th), surrounded by family and friends.
(ynetnews.com)
