Ten Plagues of Terror

Ten Plagues of Terror

Threats by terror organizations to abduct Israelis in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel, have intensified in recent weeks, security sources told Infolive.TV. With Passover just a few days away, six concrete threats have been received by the security establishment, and relate to plans to launch attacks in Israel, the sources said.
Nablus and Jenin are still considered the terror hotspots in the Judea and Samaria, the sources added.
Meanwhile, a report released by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on terror activities for the year 2006, reveals  cause for concern.
While last year registered the lowest number of Israeli fatalities killed in attacks, there was an increase of 85% in the number of potential suicide bombers caught by security forces.
Thirty Israelis were killed by terror last year, 15 of that number in suicide bomb attacks. All in all security forces arrested over 5000 terror suspects last year, 

The Seam Line barrier between Israel and Judea and Samaria:
In the 42 months since the construction of the security fence began, terror organizations perpetrated 12 suicide bomb attacks inside Israel in which 64 were killed. The existence of the security fence has proved its efectiveness especially when taking into account that from the year 2000 and up until construction began, terrorists perpetrated 73 suicide bomb attacks in which 293 Israelis were killed,
Despite the significant decrease in suicide bomb attacks inside Israel, terror groups continue to take advantage of areas where the security fence has yet to be completed, especially in the Judea district.

Gaza, the front command center for terror in Judea and Samaria:

Last year,Gaza terorr groups became more actively involved in terror activities in Judea and Samaria. Hamas stands out more than any other in its efforts to improve the capability of the terror cells, including rocket manufacturing, the art of bomb making and the transfer of sums of money to the cells operating in Judea and Samaria to fund their operations.
An example of Gaza terror cells' involvment can be seen in the Hamas cell that operated in the Judea district in October last year and planned to abduct Israelis in the Jerusalem area. Among those arrested by security forces was  Fares Kawasmeh, a member of Hamas from the Hebron area who received instructions and funds  from the Hamas military wing in Gaza.

Hizbullah's involvment in terror cells operating in Judea and Samaria and Gaza:

The Iranian backed Hizbullah has intensified its involvment in terror cells operating in the Territories, and according to the report the first half of 2006 saw a 150% increase. On the eve of the Second Lebanon war last summer, there were 80 cells operating in Judea and Samaria who received orders and funds from Hizbullah operatives.
An example of an attack ordered by Hizbullah and carried out by a terror cell operating in Judea and Samaria occurred last March. A suicide bomber flagged down a car with Israeli license plates near Kedumim and shortly after blew himself up, killing the four passengers.
Last July, a soldier was killed and others wounded when a bomb blew up near the soldiers who were operating in Nablus. Both attacks were carried out by Tanzim cell members in Nablus who were in close contact with Hizbullah operatives in Lebanon and received money from them.
From the number of terorists arrested by security forces in the first six months of last year, 35 were affiliated with Hizbullah.
During the Second Lebanon War, there was a decrease in Hizbullah's involvement in Judea and Samaria, but at the same time it continued to encourage the terror cells to operate and attack Israel, and thereby open up a second front against Israel. Needless to say, this did not happen.
Currently there are 30 known Hizbullah cells operating inside the Gaza Strip. Since the opening of the Rafah crossing and the election of Hamas to the Palestinian government, Hizbullah has intensified its involvement there. Taking advantage of the relatively unresricted access between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, has allowed Hizbullah to enhance the Gaza cells capabilty, providing them with the know-how  to improve their rocket capability, and supply them with weapons and bomb experts.
On May 17, last year, the former PA Interior Minister permitted Hamas to establish a proper armed force that would serve the Hamas' interest. As a result of inner fighting between Hamas and Fatah factions, the Hamas government agreed to allow a similar force to be formed in Judea and Samaria. Israeli security officials have noticed a sharp increase in the recruiting and training of theses forces particularly since last October.
Of the Palestinian suspects arrested by Israeli security forces last year, 149 were members of the newly established military force operating in Judea and Samaria.

Global Jihad Active in Judea, Samaria and Gaza:

Last year, Global Jihad strengthened their ties with terror groups operating in Judea,Samaria and Gaza, especially cells operating in the Sinai area who took advantage of the lack of supervision at the Rafah crossing. Mamtaz Dai'moush a former member of the Popular Resistance Committee, left the movement and formed a cell called The Army of Islam. It is known to cooperate with Hamas military wing and have known ties to Global Jihad and Al Qaida. Signs of terror groups' links to Global Jihad have also been identified in Judea and Samaria. Last March, security forces thwarted the arttempts of eight terrorists who were recruited by Global Jihad members in Jordan , to launch attacks. .

Gaza – Since the IDF withdrawl and disengagement:

The IDF withdrawl from Gaza and the election of Hamas to the Palestinian government ensured that Gaza would retain its title of the “largest creator of terror.” According to the report, fifty percent of terror attacks carried out last year originated in Gaza. The aim of terror cells operating in the Strip was to launch attacks either by kidnapping Israelis or causing a high number of Israeli fatalities.
From the beginning of 2006, seven Israelis were killed in attacks. This includes the July 25  kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilead Shalith at Kerem Shalom. The attacks was carried out by terrorists affiliated with Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committee.
Last year terrorists fired over 1700 Kassam rockets at Israel, compared with 400 the previous year. Security officials noted that terror cells operating in Gaza constantly strive to improve their capability. This can be seen in the newly improvised rocket fired by Hamas in July last year, that has a 10 kilometer distance capability.

The Philadelphia Corridor - A Terrorist Freeway:

Last year there was a sharp increase in the amount of weapons and explosives smuggled into the Gaza Strip from Egypt, especially via tunnels.
According to the report, 28 tons of explosives were smuggled into the Strip compared with six tons in the previous year. Fourteen thousand rifles and 5 million weapon parts were also smuggled into Gaza last year. In addition, 40 rockets, 150 rocket propelled grenades and 65 rocket launchers, as well as 20 anti tank missiles and 10 anti aircraft missiles.
In an attempt to destroy the network of weapons smuggling, the IDF destroyed 20 tunnels found in the area and eight tunnel openings.

Smuggling Terrorists –  The Gaza – Sinai/Egypt – Israel Route:

Tunnels as well as the Rafah crossing,  have proven a convenient way to smuggle terrorists into the Gaza Strip from Egypt or into Israel. Last year 43 terrorists from Gaza were arrested by security forces as they attempted to cross into Israel. Taking advantage of the situation, Hamas especially has used the situation to smuggle terrorists abroad for weapons training and learn the art of bomb making and smuggle into Gaza highly skilled bomb experts from abroad who assist in improving the movement's weapons capability.
Since being elected to the Palestinian government, Hamas has tightened its ties with Iran.

Taking advantage of Israel's humanitarian assistance to launch attacks in Israel:

The Erez and Karni crossings in northern Gaza were preferred locations for terrorists to launch attacks, The Karni crossing allows agricultural produce, medicine and other goods to enter Gaza. The Erez crossing allows Palestinians from Gaza to enter Israel for humanitarian assistance.Security officials noted that due to the constant threats to launch attacks at the crossing, they were forced to remain closed for long periods of time last year.
Majid Alkambaz, one of the terror suspects arrested by the Shin Bet in August last year, revealed to investigators the plans to dig a tunnel underneath a building that housed IDF troops deployed at the Karni crossing, fill it with powerful bombs and blow it up. After he revealed the location of the tunnel, it was blown up by security forces.

Transfer of Funds to Fuel Terror:

Eighty six terrorists involved in transfering cash to fund terrorist activities were arrested by security forces last year. One of them was Iman Sa'd, a resident of Nablus and a money changer by profession who admitted to transferring tens of thousands of dollards on behalf of Hizbullah in Lebanon and Syria to senior Tanzim operatives in Nablus.
Last September, security forces confiscated 5 million shekels and 170,000 dinars during searches conducted in Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm and Ramallah. All the funds were from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah operatives in Lebanon and Syria who had transferred the cash for the use of local terror groups.

Women Involved in Terror:

Of the five terror attacks perpetrated last year, two were carried out by females. All in all 19 Palestinian women were arrested by security forces, nine of them were affiliated with the Islamic Jihad and seven with the Fatah Tanzim.
Islamic Jihad member Wahda Kafh'an,34, of Jelazoun,  told Shin Bet investigators that she was involved in transferring funds from Islamic Jihad headquarters in Syria to operatives in Judea and Samaria. Last July, Fatna Abu Aish, a resident of Nablus was arrested by security forces in Tel Aviv as en route to abduct an Israeli civilian.

Involvment of the Israeli Arab sector in Terror:

Twenty four Israeli Arabs were involved in terror activities in 2006. According to the report 40% of Israeli Arabs involved in terror are Palestinians granted residency permits in Israel, or received Israeli identity cards due to marriage,
The report notes that none of the Israeli Arabs arrested by security forces last year were inolved  in attacks that led to Israeli fatalities.

By Margot Dudkevitch