(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel 3:00PM IL)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Hamas on Friday confirmed Israeli reports that the explosion in Bet Lahiya on Thursday was a ‘work accident,’ occurring as result of terrorists handling explosives, and not an IDF attack. 8 were killed and over 40 injured in the explosion.

*Two explosive devices and rocks were thrown at IDF soldiers operating in PA-controlled Shechem on Friday. No injuries were reported.

*11:03: Rock throwing and two makeshift explosive devices placed against soldiers operating near Shechem. No injuries.

*13:22: Massive rock-throwing attacks against Jewish motorists traveling in the Gush Etzion area. Damage reported in the al-Aroub area. No injuries.

*13:27: Rock-throwing attack against Jewish motorists near Chawarah, near Tapuach Junction in Shomron. No injuries.

*13:29: Rocks hurled at a school bus between Gat Junction and Kedumim in Shomron. No injuries.

*Rock-throwing attacks on Hussan Bypass Road near Betar on Friday afternoon. No injuries.

*14:34: Kassam rockets land in the Greater Sderot Area. No injuries.

*One terrorist killed and other injured in an Israel Air Force counter-terror strike in Gaza Thursday night.

*Soldiers operating in Ramallah on Thursday night apprehended a Fatah Tanzim terrorist who was involved in a terror attack.

*Weapons cache found in Azariya by IDF soldiers Thursday night including machine guns and ammunition.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*9:30AM: Another earthquake was felt on Friday morning in the north, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale. No injuries were reported.

*Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday morning met with Agudat Yisroel’s Meir Porush and other party officials to discuss the upcoming national and Jerusalem municipality elections.

*US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Sunday.

*Labor Party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak blames Kadima internal conflict surrounding party primaries for delays in truce with Hamas.

*Gazan Hamas leaders release messages that the release of Gilad Shalit is not connected to a ceasefire agreement. The soldier will be released only after Israel releases terrorists from prison.

*Israel to continue diplomatic efforts via Egypt despite Thursday’s heavy day of shelling into southern Israel.

*Chareidi community continues boycott of Shefa Shuk stores due to chilul Shabbos.

*10 Israelis came to emergency rooms around Israel in past two weeks all complaining of being stung by scorpions. There has also been an increase in reported snakebites.