Following the August 18, 2011 terror attacks near Eilat, the multipronged attacks against private vehicles and Egged buses, security and intelligence community officials fear the next stage may be an attempt to highjack a bus and use the hostages as negotiating pawns. Eight people were murdered in that attack, including civilians and security personnel HY”D.

The Rimon unit, which is part of the IDF’s Givati Brigade, is working alongside the LOTAR counter-terrorism unit towards preparing for such an eventuality chas v’sholom. They are training on buses with ‘victims’ inside towards preparing for the worst scenario. In addition, there are the Israel Police Yomam counter-terrorism Special Forces unit and the IDF’s General Staff Sayeret Matkal’s reconnaissance unit, also trained for such operations.

The military establishment continues efforts to remain a step ahead of terrorism with mounting threats from different terror organizations.

After the successful negotiations that led to the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, Hamas leaders announced that they are already working on the next abduction of an IDF soldier and they will continue efforts until the last prisoner has been released by Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)