SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today, Wednesday, is day 57 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 781st day in Hamas captivity.

*Rocks were hurled at buses traveling between Hizme and Adam on the road from northern Yerushalayim to Shomron. No injuries were reported in the Tuesday night attacks.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron on Tuesday night arrested two suspects. the suspects were turned over to the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) for interrogation.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*10 days after leaving Kiryat Shmona, protestors in electric wheelchairs on Tuesday arrived in Yerushalayim where they are continuing their protest for increased national government assistance.

*Minister Ruchama Avraham on Tuesday announced her support for Shaul Mofaz in the Kadima leadership race.

*The dollar strengthened on Tuesday, up 0.64%, trading at 3.589.

*The medical team comprised of Professor Avi Rifkind, Dr. Micha Shamir and paramedic Ran Elbas, left for Georgia on Tuesday night to treat wounded Yediot Achronot reported Tzadok Yehezkeli.

*Senior Kadima faction member Tzachi Hanegbi is expected to announce his support for FM Tzipi Livni in the party leadership race.

*550 Israelis were brought to safety on Tuesday on four flights from Georgia to Tel Aviv.

*AG Menachem Mazuz opposes the law granting amnesty to those arrested in protests against the 2005 expulsion from Gaza. Peace Now director-general Yariv Oppenheim announced he plans to petition the Supreme Court against the bill voted into law by the Knesset.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)