(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel 11:40PM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*The three IDF Givati Brigade soldiers killed in Gaza on Wednesday are; David Papian, 21, from Tel Aviv, Corporal Menahesh Albinath, 20, from the Negev village of Kuseife and Corporal Matan Ovdati, 19,  from Moshav Patish.

*3 terrorists were killed in an Israel Air Force raid over Gaza on Wednesday evening.

*An unspecified number of terrorists were injured in an Israel Air Force raid over Gaza late Wednesday afternoon. In another air force attack over el-Bureij, some 20 terrorists and residents were injured. Hamas reporting 12 dead in air force strike.

*DM Barak assures the nation that while the solution is not instantaneous, there is a solution to the Kassam rocket attacks.

*Kassam rockets continued falling in the Greater Sderot area throughout the days. Baruch Hashem, no injuries reported. At least 21 Kassam rockets landed in Israel on Wednesday. This in addition to mortar rockets fired.

*Unconfirmed reports based on Gaza sources indicate 20 terrorists eliminated in ongoing Israel Air Force raids over Gaza on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Israel has acknowledged the delivery of fuel for Gaza power plant despite the day of warfare in Gaza. PA sources report cooking gas was also delivered by Israel, three trucks full.

*The Arab League is calling for a “wise broker” to bring peace to the region.

*The European Union is calling on Iran to open the doors to its nuclear efforts to the international community.

*Youths aligned with the extreme left-wing Meretz Party sent a letter to Hamas commander in Syria, Khaled Meshal, commending his efforts towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.

*Former US President Jimmy Carter continues to defy American and Israeli interests, meeting with terrorist leaders wherever he can. Carter is now expected to meet with two Gazan Hamas leaders in Egypt. The meeting will take place on Thursday.

*London-based Arabic Al-Shark Al-Awsat newspaper reports PM Olmert has offered PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) 64% of “West Bank” (Yehuda and Shomron). Olmert has also made generous offers pertaining to Yerushalayim, the paper adds.