Israel drafting limited reserves as violence escalates

The IDF began issuing emergency call-up orders for reservists Thursday afternoon after the government decided to reoccupy some Palestinian territories in response to a new wave of suicide bombings.

"There is a callup. The scope of the callup is not large and the soldiers will be involved in anti-terror operations," an Israeli security source said. The source did not give details on the number of troops involved.

The reservists will likely be asked to provide support along the seam line between Israel proper and the Palestinian areas, in reponse to growing concerns that suicide bombers will attempt to enter Israel.

Security forces were on high alert in the Sharon area Thursday afternoon due to concerns that terrorists infiltrated Israel near the West Bank city of Tul Karm, Israel Radio reported. Border Police were deployed along the seam line and police increased forces at entrances to the cities of Netanya, Afula, Hadera and Kfar Sava

Expanding operations in the West Bank

The IDF significantly expanded its operations the West Bank, with forces entering the cities of Tul Karm, Bethlehem and Nablus in response to the two suicide bombings in Jerusalem, in the space of just 36 hours, which left 26 people dead and over 100 injured. Two IDF soldiers were also killed Wednesday during an operation in the West Bank city of Qalqilyah.

The French News Agency reported that IDF troops rounded up hundreds of Palestinians for questioning in the Jenin refugee camp. Soldiers and tanks had encircled the West Bank city of Tul Karm and were entering periodically in order to carry out operations, Israel Radio reported. There were exchanges of fire between troops and armed Palestinians in the city. No injuries were reported.

IDF paratroopers entered Bethlehem and the adjacent Dehaisheh refugee camp in the hours after the French Hill suicide bombing on Wednesday evening, in which seven people were killed. The soldiers were sweeping the area Thursday for Palestinians on the army's wanted list.

Troops also moved into the Ramallah-area town of Beitounia, and the army was still operating Thursday morning in the West Bank cities of Jenin and Qalqilyah. Security officials said that IDF operations in the territories would likely expand in the coming days.

On Wednesday evening, IDF helicopters fired five missiles at targets in Gaza City and the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis shortly after the bombing.

The helicopters hit a metal works foundry in Khan Younis, witnesses said. Six people were reported injured in the attacks. Witnesses said that the offices of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza City also came under helicopter fire.

Two soldiers killed, three injured in Qalqilyah operation
Two IDF soldiers were killed and three were wounded Wednesday night in a fierce gunbattle at the home of a PA intelligence officer in Qalqilyah.

The soldiers were identified as Major Shlomi Cohen, 26 from Rehovot and Staff Sergeant Yosef Talabi, 20, from Yehud.

IDF sources said gunmen attacked the soldiers as they were searching the intelligence officer's house.

The Qalqilyah operation began early Wednesday morning, when IDF troops entered the town in an effort to locate several Palestinians believed to be planning to carry out suicide attacks. The force included the Nachshon infantry battalion, which is comprised of regular troops, and reservist artillery units.

At about 6 P.M., a small group of soldiers entered a house in southeastern Qalqilyah to arrest the local head of the PA's military intelligence service, who is believed to have been involved in terror attacks. But an armed Palestinian - apparently the wanted man himself - was waiting in ambush at the top of the stairs and opened fire at the soldiers from close range. He also hurled hand grenades.

The company commander was mortally wounded and died of his injuries shortly thereafter, and another soldier was killed during the ensuing exchange of fire. Additional IDF forces rushed to the scene and succeeded in killing the Palestinian, but in the process, the deputy company commander was seriously injured and two other soldiers were lightly wounded.

Attempt to infiltrate Kiryat Arba yeshiva foiled
A Palestinian tried to infiltrate into a yeshiva at the entrance to the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba and was later killed, Israel Radio reported Thursday. The settlement's security guards fired at the infiltrator and prevented him from entering the yeshiva.

The gunman escaped, leaving behind hand-grenades and a rifle magazine. IDF troops later tracked down the gunman and killed him.

With Reuters