SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today, Wednesday, is day 176 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 900th day in Hamas captivity.

*19:41: A mortar rocket landed near Nachal Oz without injuries.

*20:18: Israeli vehicles traveling on the Gush Etzion – Chevron road were attacked by Arabs throwing rocks near el-Aroub. No injuries were reported.

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

*IDF Homefront Command exercise in Herzliya on Wednesday morning, expected to end at 11:00am.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*The UN Human Rights Council released a 99-step plan for Israel, calling for the release of prisoners to the lifting of the Gaza blockade.

*PM Olmert to meet with his mini-cabinet on Wednesday to discuss the step-up in rocket attacks in southern Israel. He and FM Livni seem to favor a military response while DM Barak remains adamantly opposed.

*Israel Prize laureate Prof. Sternhell says continued support for yishuvim undermines the state.

*Likud veterans blame Feiglin achieving the 20th slot on party leader Netanyahu mishandling the entire matter.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)