(Israel Hayom) Yoav Limor - While there has been a renewed spate of terrorist attacks in recent weeks, the lack of mass Palestinian participation in or support for the violence, and especially its lack of organization or direction, means this is no "popular uprising." The IDF mapped out six "prime" locations for Palestinian attacks: Gush Etzion Junction; the Jewish community in Hebron; the Shaar Binyamin area outside Ramallah; the Dor Alon gas station on Route 443; the area from Tapuach to the entrance to Nablus; and the plaza at the entrance to the city of Ariel. The IDF focused concentrated efforts on each of these areas, including increased security forces, additional security measures and fences, restrictions on movement by Palestinians, and carefully separating them from Israelis. The result was a sharp drop in the number of terrorist attacks because the terrorists realized their chances of succeeding were slim. Moreover, there was a change in support for the attacks among the Palestinian public. According to surveys conducted by Khalil Shikaki's Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, in December 2015, 57% of the Palestinian public supported stabbing attacks, but in March 2016 that number stood at 44%, and in June it had dropped to 36%. Over this past year, 334 terrorist attacks and attempted attacks were carried out. There were 192 stabbings, 100 shootings, 33 car ramming attacks and nine explosive devices detonated. 39 Israeli civilians and members of the security forces were killed as were 199 Palestinians, 159 of whom were terrorists. 1,200 Palestinians were arrested this past year who were directly involved in terrorist activity. 340 attacks were thwarted, including 12 suicide bombings, 10 abductions, and 120 shootings.
2016-10-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive