(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel / 12:00AM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*3 terrorists were killed by IDF Givati Brigade soldiers in a shootout in the Khan Yunis area of Central Gaza on Thursday morning. Other terrorists were wounded. No injuries to soldiers.

*A Qassam rocket fired into southern Israel on Thursday afternoon landed in an open area. There were no reports of injuries.

*Operating out of Syria, Iran is eavesdropping on Israeli military transmissions.

*An Israeli entered into the PA village of Salfit, in Shomron, and was arrested by PA troops. PA police turned him over to IDF authorities. Israelis may not enter a PA-controlled area, designated as “A”, and those who do face criminal prosecution.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*4 children sustained burns in an explosion in a kindergarten in the Shomron community of Yishuv Yitzhar on Thursday morning. Two were listed in moderate condition. They were all transported to Schneider’s Children’s Hospital in Petach Tikvah. It appears the explosion was caused by an air filtration system that was somehow ignited.

*Chevron activist Baruch Marzel filed a complaint with police against Arab MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi, who landed in Beirut on his way back to Israel from Yemen. Marzel stated it is not known if Tibi met with any state or terrorist leaders, but once again he has ignored the law and traveled to hostile countries. Tibi was questioned by police in connection to his travels in the past.

*A Jerusalem Municipal Court justice dismissed cases against 4 Jerusalem restaurateurs for violating the Passover Law, stating it does not apply to restaurants. The Passover Law prohibits the sale of bread and other chametz items during Pesach.

*MK Tibi states his landing in Beirut was just an interim stop to service the flight, adding he did not take part in unauthorized meetings. He told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that if he decides to meet with Lebanese leaders, he will do it openly and publicly.

*President Shimon Peres on Thursday: “Israel does not have any intentions of attacking Syria”

*Marking the Shloshim of the Merkaz HaRav terror attack, a memorial service was held at the yeshiva on Thursday evening.