Monday, February 23, 2009

IDF Foils Kidnap Attempt


Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu IDF Foils Kidnap Attempt

IDF ground troops clashed with Gaza terrorists at the Kissufim Crossing Sunday morning after spotting them trying to cross and attack a Jewish community and soldiers, including an attempt to kidnap a soldier. An Air Force helicopter bombed their fleeing vehicle west of the clash. Initial reports indicated that no one was wounded.. The Islamic Jihad claimed that its forces tried to kidnap a soldier in an attack on the Gaza side of the separation barrier where it said Israeli special forces were located. It stated on its Internet site that the Air Force helicopter attacked the kidnapping cell before it could carry out its plan and take a soldier hostage.

A short time later, terrorists fired a rocket that exploded near Sderot, causing no damage or injuries.

Rocket attacks, mortar shelling and sniper fire by Hamas and allied terrorists have become a near-daily routine since the Olmert administration concluded a three-week campaign against the terrorist infrastructure in the area.

Fifty-six percent of Israelis think that the government prematurely withdrew its troops from Gaza, according to the Peace Index survey carried out by the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research. The respondents said that the aim of the war should have been a complete surrender by Hamas but that the government yielded to international pressure to end the fighting.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared a unilateral ceasefire on January 18, which was followed by a similar declaration by Hamas. The last Israeli soldier was pulled out of Gaza just before U.S. President Barack Obama took office on January 20 -- with the exception of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who is still being held hostage by Hamas.



The continuation of attacks on Israel by Gaza terrorists has been met by targeted retaliation, such as Monday morning’s military reaction.

In Judea and Samaria, meanwhile, police are looking for two Arabs who tried to stab a Jew while attempting to hijack his vehicle near the community of Shavei Shomron, south of Jenin. The terrorists faked a traffic accident and tried to steal the Jew’s vehicle when he stopped to help.

The victim fought off the attackers who tried to stab him with a screwdriver.

In the Negev, police are searching for Bedouins who attacked Jewish National Fund (JNF) workers as they were preparing land for planting approximately three miles north of Be'er Sheva. No one was wounded, but the Bedouins damaged the equipment before fleeing.

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