Hamas in Gaza reports at least three fatalities as a result of IAF retaliatory strikes following rocket attacks into S. Israel during the night. Two rockets landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council area. There were no injuries or damage reports.

** Over 3,000 people took part in the Thursday Rosh Chodesh ‘Sivuv Shearim’ walk around the walls of the Old City of Yerushalayim.

** Five firebombs were hurled at IDF soldiers in the Bet Lechem district Friday morning. B’chasdei Hashem there were no injuries.

** The UN has appointed former director-general Kofi Anan as the new UN Ambassador to Syria.

** The Los Angeles Times reports that senior American intelligence officials are of the belief that Iran is not actively working to build a nuclear bomb, having abandoned those efforts in 2007.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)