Israel goes on alert fearing of a new round of Hamas attacks
Israel, Politics, 12/1/1997

Israel again claimed that "hot warnings" had been received that Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists might try to launch a new wave of attacks on Israelis next week to torpedo any possible Israeli redeployment of troops in the West Bank and to mark the tenth annual anniversary of the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising on December 9, 1987.

Israeli police and intelligence sources said they expect soldiers to be kidnapped by Hamas members who might try to negotiate the release of their hostages in return for the release of Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Hamas members of the Hebron cell that are currently held in Israel had allegedly confessed to carrying out some 11 attempts to kidnap soldiers in most of which Israeli soldiers did get into their cars but managed to disembark before being harmed, police source said.

Meanwhile, military vehicles have spread all over the central region with officers and military police units, in order to enforce Israeli army codes on hitchhiking, which prevent soldiers from getting into any car if they suspect the owner is an Arab. Besides, according to the instructions, a soldier may hitch-hike during the day and only if armed. During the night, soldiers may hitch in pairs only. Female soldiers are allowed to hitch-hike only during the day and only in pairs and are forbidden to do so at night. Hitchhiking in the West Bank is forbidden to Israeli soldiers at all times.

Previous Stories:
  Hamas chief demands prisoners' release   (11/25/1997)
  Israeli Investigation continues in Old City shooting   (11/21/1997)
  One last chance for Israel says Hamas   (11/3/1997)

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