Daily Alert Archives

Lessons from the Haifa Bombing

(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Since the Haifa suicide bomber moved through an area where the separation fence is already standing, special steps were taken along the length of the fence to beef up its security. Soldiers at checkpoints were told to examine cars with Israeli license plates, for fear that they might be smuggling terrorists or explosives. Checkpoints were also beefed up with female soldiers, to body search women, and with dogs, trained to sniff out explosive material. The army says the dogs will be used to examine vehicles, not people. Due to the alerts, the army has closed the entrances in the fence that lead to privately owned Palestinian farm land. The army had allowed Palestinians to move through the gates by showing their ID card and going through a security check. That lax approach was exploited by illegal workers. The gates will be reopened in a few days - but only to those with the appropriate permits. The army is establishing a new unit to man the checkpoints along the seam. Some 300 soldiers will be specially trained for the job and be operational by March, part of the army's intention to take over permanent responsibility for the checkpoints in the fence. In Gaza, the army has cut off Rafah from Khan Yunis to prevent munitions smuggled from Egypt into Rafah through tunnels from being transferred to northern Gaza. Military sources said large numbers of rifles are involved as well as other munitions.
2003-10-08 00:00:00
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