(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel / 11:00AM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Kassam rocket attacks into southern Israel continued late into the night on Wednesday night. At least 32 rockets were fired on Wednesday.

*The Palestinian Authority has declared today, Thursday, a day of mourning, reporting 18 dead in IDF attacks over Gaza.

*Security forces on high alert fearing terrorists will try to perpetrate a major attack to coincide with Pesach.

*A large IDF incursion into Gaza may take place due to continued deterioration of the situation.

*Residents and security officials fear Seder night in Sderot may become a night of rocket fire.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terrorism operations in Yehuda and Shomron on Wednesday night arrested 26 suspects.

*UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel for the deaths of 18 in Gaza.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Protestors against a gas line on Wednesday night blocked Route 70 between Tishbi Junction and HaEmakim Junction with rocks and burning tires. Police and fire department responded, clearing the roadway.

*No injuries were reported in a large brush fire in Kiryat Sefer’s Brechfeld neighborhood on Wednesday night.

*Nefesh B’Nefesh is near closing a deal to assume the Jewish Agency’s role in North American aliyah.