SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*Today is day 18 of the Gaza ceasefire.

*Today, Wednesday, is Gilad Shalit’s 955th day in Hamas captivity.

*Terrorists hurled a firebomb at border police stationed at Kever Rachel on Tuesday night. No injuries or damage reported.

*Terrorists threw four firebombs at border police near Bet Lechem on Tuesday night. There were no injuries. Upon inspection of the area, authorities found five additional firebombs that were ready to be used.

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terrorism operation throughout Yehuda and Shomron arrested six suspects on Tuesday night.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Parents whose children attend the Yechezkel Elementary School in Ashkelon are striking today in protest over the Katyusha rocket attack on Tuesday and the fact the school does not have protective rooms for the students.

*MK Prof. Aryeh Eldad calling to eliminate Arabic as one of the official state languages.

*The forecast for Wednesday and Thursday calls for unseasonably hot and dry weather.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)