SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today, Thursday, is day 86 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 809th day in Hamas captivity.

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

*Soldiers of the elite Duvdevan unit operating in PA-occupied Shechem on Wednesday night were attacked with gunfire and at least one firebomb. There were no injuries reported among soldiers. A terrorist recently released in PM Olmert’s good-will plan was arrested again for taking part in bomb preparations. One terrorist was shot and wounded. PA sources report he died in hospital.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*The radical left-wing B’tselem human rights organization has released a report alleging Israel has annexed thousands of dunams of land east of the security fence in many communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

*Scuffles were reported on Wednesday near the Yad Yair Outpost in the Benjamin Regional Council district of Shomron between IDF soldiers and supporters of the outpost.

*Iran filed a complaint with the UN after Israeli minister, Rafi Eitan, hinted that Israeli will kidnap Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Newly-appointed Israeli Ambassador to the UN Prof. Gabriella Shalev told Iran’s president he is the last who has a right to lecture Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)