SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today is day 5 of the Gaza ceasefire.

*Today, Thursday, is Gilad Shalit’s 942nd day in Hamas captivity.

*An infant was injured in a rock-throwing attack near Tekoa in the eastern Gush Etzion area on Wednesday night. The infant was transported to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. The infant’s condition is described as “light” Baruch Hashem.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday met in Brussels with 22 foreign ministers, discussing the need for the international community to ensure weapons smuggling into Gaza does not resume.

*FM Livni announced on Wednesday that the “Gaza crisis” cannot be resolved without including Gilad Shalit.

*Hundreds of chareidim from Meah Shearim close to midnight on Wednesday burned garbage receptacles near the Ministry of Education, which borders the chareidi community.

*Thursday night is the 120th yahrzeit of Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsch z”l.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)