IDF soldiers taking part in counter-terrorism operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron apprehended 5 suspects during the night.

** A nationwide strike looms in the air, set for Wednesday morning. The strike will halt most essential services and close Ben-Gurion International Airport.

** A 60-year-old male was pronounced dead in the Tel Aviv District Court after collapsing during a hearing. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

** Yet another explosion has interrupted service of the Egyptian gas line which serves both Israel and Jordan. Since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the gas line was targeted by terrorists over ten times.

12:16: Two suspects were taken into custody on Geva Street in Netanya after trying to grab a soldier’s gun. Passersby realized what was taking place and assisted in apprehending the two.

** Israelis remember the Chopper Tragedy, the midair crash of two helicopters heading to S. Lebanon with troops on board on February 4, 1997. 73 soldiers and officers perished in that incident over the community of Shar Yashuv.

** The government is in the process of legislating a bill that will create a nationwide firefighting service, hoping to accomplish this in two years. The move is prompted by the State Comptroller’s report citing failures in the Carmel fire catastrophe.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)