(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda & Shomron on Tuesday night arrested 17 suspects. No injuries reported.

*National Security Cabinet on Wednesday approved widespread emergency drills, which include operating ‘situation rooms’ on national and local government levels.

*A large bomb was detected and detonated by IDF soldiers on Wednesday near the border fence in the Kissufim Crossing area of Gaza. No injuries.

*Nachshon Battalion soldiers operating in the Tulkarem area Tuesday night uncovered a Kalashnikov assault rifle, M-16 rifle, two handguns, ammunition and 5 knives.

*During a ceremony dedicating a new Yokneam fire station, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit called on Defense Minister Ehud Barak to award the IDF’s Second Lebanon War ribbon to firefighters, whom he stated performed beyond the call of duty during the war.

*An emergency preparedness drill was held on Wednesday morning in the Beit Shemesh area. A number of emergency agencies participated in the training exercise intended to maintain a professional level of response and operations.

*Arabs bombarded an Israeli vehicle with rocks on Wednesday morning near the village of Yabed, in the Jenin district. No injuries reported.

*Paratroopers operating in Jenin Tuesday night arrested wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist Ahmed Amur, who was carrying an M-16 rifle and six magazines. Another wanted suspect was also taken into custody. The two were turned over to GSS (General Security Service/ Shin Bet) custody.

*Responding to political pressure, the army has been ordered to renew its presence at the Rimonim – Kochav HaShachar Checkpoint in the Benjamin Regional Council district of Shomron.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday is meeting in Cairo with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

*3 children were treated for smoke inhalation, the result of a fire in their Yishuv Itamar home on Tuesday night. They were transported to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

*Bituach Leumi has announced it is moving up this month’s supplementary income and other assisted income payments to enable people to receive the funds ahead of Pesach. The payments will be deposited in bank accounts about 1.5 weeks ahead of schedule.

*One-third of the public’s complaints in 2007 are justifiable according to State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss.  9,749 complaints were submitted to the public ombudsman, with Lindenstrauss reporting 33.7% are justifiable.

*Civil Administration officials and police on Wednesday removed the unauthorized outposts Shvut Ami (near Kedumim) and Har Chibi (Northern Shomron). At least one female was arrested, allegedly for assaulting a policeman at Shvut Ami. There were also confrontations between right-wingers and left-wing Israelis and Arabs.

*Settlement movement matriarch Daniela Weiss leveled a scathing attack against the Yesha Settlement Council for its willingness to capitulate to government efforts to remove outposts. Weiss called the talks by settlement officials “a crime”.

*PM Olmert on Wednesday afternoon met with representatives of the Gush Katif refugees, who filed grievances and listed complaints pertaining to the Sela Disengagement Authority. The prime minister promised to review the material and get back to them after Pesach.

*Just under the wire, prior to the end of the Knesset winter session, the IDF Reserve Duty Bill was voted into law. Soldiers will not serve more than 54 days over 3 years and officers not more than 84 days over 3 years. They will also receive an increase in salary and other benefits.