Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is calling on security forces to significantly boost their presence along roads, carry out arrests and monitor traffic by operating checkpoints and closures in the West Bank.
Mofaz spoke at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, which followed last week’s suicide attack in Hadera in which five Israelis lost their lives.
On Sunday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Islamic Jihad member Jihad ‘Uweidat near his home in Qabatiyya. Palestinian sources verified that ‘Uweidat was behind the launching of the suicide bomber last week.
During the gun fight next to ‘Uweidat’s home, two more Palestinians were killed and eight were wounded. Since the Hadera attack last week, Israeli security forces have intensified their activities in Jenin and the nearby town of Qabatiyya.
In response to the killing of ‘Uweidat, Islamic Jihad operatives launched Qassam rockets from Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. There were no reports of any damage.
“The escalation attests to the Palestinian Authority’s inability to implement – and inaction in implementing – its obligations and responsibilities,” said Mofaz.