SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today is day 50 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 774th day in Hamas captivity.

*In compliance with the next stage of the Regev-Goldwasser prisoner deal, Israel on Wednesday will release an additional 5 prisoners, youths who reside in the PA. They will be released to the PA via Moshav Shar Ephraim. They were serving sentences ranging from 1 – 2.5 years.

*3 suspected terrorists were taken into custody in IDF counter-terror operation in Qalqilye on Tuesday night.

*IDF soldiers operating in PA-controlled Jenin on Tuesday night were targeted by terrorist gunfire and firebombs. No injuries were reported.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Police on Friday will once again question PM Olmert in the ongoing investigations against him.

*Following the arrival of the last aliyah flight from that country, Israel recalled its aliyah shaliach from Ethiopia.

*One person was killed and 11 injured in a vehicular accident early Wednesday morning between Maale Adumim and Mishur Adumim.

*The 16-year-old Yitzhar youth suspected in a rock attack against an Arab vehicle was ordered to remain away from the community for five days following his release. A mother and child sustained moderate injuries in the attack.

*PA forces handed over an Israeli who entered a PA area of Chevron on Tuesday night. He was turned over to IDF authorities in the area unharmed.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)