(Jerusalem Post) Lior Akerman - According to Israel Security Agency data, there were 17 deaths from terror attacks in 2016 in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, compared to 28 in 2015. In the West Bank and Gaza, there were 1,054 attacks in 2016, down from 1,719 in 2015. In Jerusalem there were 327 attacks in 2016, compared to 635 in 2015. This overall downward trend is mainly attributable to the professional intelligence and counter-insurgency activity carried out by Israel. Another factor is Israeli security forces' coordination with Palestinian security forces. The two work together to thwart Hamas terrorist activity, with a special emphasis on preventing Hamas from becoming too powerful in the West Bank. An intifada is a widespread popular uprising. This is not the current situation. However, the relative quiet we're experiencing is deceptive. Just behind the curtain are a number of Palestinian groups and individuals - including Hamas - that are busy planning their next terrorist attack. The writer served as a division head in the Israel Security Agency.
2017-01-13 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive