SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today, Friday, is day 122 of the virtual Gaza ceasefire.

*Today is Gilad Shalit’s 845th day in Hamas captivity.

*No injuries were reported in a rock-throwing attack against an Israeli vehicle on Route 6, the Yitzchak Rabin Highway on Thursday evening.

*A woman was lightly injured in a rock-throwing attack in the area of the Machpelah in Chevron on Thursday night.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron arrested eight suspects during the night.

*Soldiers operating in el-Hader in the Gush Etzion district discovered two handguns and machetes in a home. Two suspects were taken into custody.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*The Friends of Gilad Shalit organization responded harshly to remarks made by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai who said a planned Gilad Shalit support event on Sunday in Kerem Shalom “displays weakness in the eyes of Hamas”.

*The Ashtrom Construction Company in Israel announced on Thursday night it would pay the money demanded by Chinese workers holding 12 Israelis hostage in the hope of bringing the situation to and end.

*Bituach Leumi officials announce they are attempting to prepare for a sharp increase in unemployment.

*Shas representative attorney Glass following coalition talks on Thursday stated no significant progress can be reported.

*Gerrer chassidim are scheduled to hold a special assembly on motzei Shabbos at which time it is expected the chassidus will announce it does not support Rabbi Meir Porush in the Jerusalem mayoral race.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)