(Ministry of Foreign Affairs) There has been a drop of 90% in the number of attacks within Israel carried out by Samaria-based terrorists since the anti-terrorist fence was built. Between August 2003 and June 2004, Samaria-based terrorist groups have succeeded in carrying out only three atrocities within Israel, in which 26 Israelis were murdered and 76 wounded. In two of the cases, the terrorists infiltrated via areas where the fence was not yet completed. In the third, a female terrorist entered through the Barta'a crossing using a Jordanian passport. In contrast, from September 2000 until July 2003, Samaria-based terrorists carried out 73 atrocities (suicide bombings, shootings, car bombings) within Israel (including Jerusalem) in which 293 Israelis were killed and 1,950 were wounded. However, the number of attempted attacks foiled in various stages of preparation since August 2003 remained high. As a result of the arrests of terrorists and heads of cells, 24 explosive belts and bombs were discovered. The success of the anti-terrorist fence in Samaria means that the launching point for terrorists has moved southward to Ramallah and Jerusalem where there is not yet a continuous fence.
2004-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive