Hamas source in Gaza report one fatality and injuries as a result of an IAF raid against smuggling tunnels.

10:31: Hundreds of Arabs are protesting on Har HaBayis in reaction to Israel Police decision to close the site to all non-Muslim visitors.

** Former Meretz MK Chaim Oron has been appointed as the head of the Israel Nature Protection Society.

** The cabinet approved the appointment of Minister of Homefront Affairs Matan Vilnai as the next ambassador to China.

11:40: The level of the Kinneret rose an additional 4.5cm since Thursday.

** Avi Dichter announced entering the Kadima party leadership race. He stated that when he is elected, he will immediately begin talks towards including the party in the coalition since he feels national elections are not going to be moved up and Kadima must begin influence the coalition and not remain in opposition.

** The agreement ending Histadrut strike increases minimum wage for janitorial manpower personnel to 4,500 NIS monthly plus a pension and other social benefits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)