(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron during the night arrested seven suspects. The suspects in custody were turned over to security officials for interrogation.

*Officials permit publicizing that one of the terrorists responsible for the death of IDF soldier St.-Sgt, Ben-Tzion Haneman on Sept. 18, 2007 is in custody.

*A metallic rod was hurled at a bus traveling near Hawarah in Shomron, near Tapuach Junction. The windshield of the vehicle was smashed in the Tuesday night attack. No injuries.

*The windshield of at least one vehicle was smashed in a Tuesday afternoon rock-throwing attack near Efrat North Junction in Gush Etzion. No injuries.

*DM Ehud Barak refused a PA request to deploy PA paramilitary troops in Chevron.

*A tank corps soldier was critically wounded on Tuesday in a northern military outpost when a fellow combatant accidentally discharged a round while cleaning his weapon. He has already undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*A vehicle struck a horse near Misada in the Golan Heights on Tuesday evening. A woman was moderately-to-seriously injured, a toddler sustained serious injuries and three others were injured lightly.

*The trial of former President Moshe Katsav, which was to get underway today in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court has been postponed for two weeks to provide his attorney additional time to review documents.

*Former Meretz leader Yossi Sarid announced he will decide by the end of April if he plans to declare his candidacy in the Tel Aviv mayoral race.

*Three motorists were injured seriously and three lightly in a vehicular accident on Route 6, the Yitzchak Rabin Highway on Wednesday morning between the Eyal and Chorshim Interchanges.

*Lebanon announced it will not participate in the summit being hosted at week’s end in Syria, apparently due to ongoing internal problems in the country.