SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today, Thursday, is day 156 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 880th day in Hamas captivity.

*A large force of police and border police on Thursday morning arrived at Gilad Farm in Shomron. The reason for their presence is not known at this time.

*An unarmed Syrian infiltrator was taken into custody near a Golan Heights kibbutz on Wednesday night. He was interrogated by security officials and will be sent back over the border.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron on Wednesday night arrested 21 suspects.

*DM Barak orders Gaza crossings to remain closed on Thursday.

*Rocks were thrown at a bus traveling from Beersheva to Arad at Shokhat Junction. The bus’ windshield was smashed and the driver was lightly injured. The attack occurred in the middle of the night.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*PM Olmert met in secret with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman earlier in the week to discuss negotiations between Israel and the PA.

*Chevron’s Bet HaShalom campaign to halt the eviction has moved to Facebook as well.

Haaretz poll: Likud 34 and Labor drops to 10. The right-wing has a 64 vote majority.

*President Peres: Attempts to remove yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron may lead to civil war.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)