Israeli security forces were on a state of high alert, particularly along the border line with the West Bank after intelligence warnings of a would-be bomber entering into cities from the Palestinian territories, Israel radio reported Thursday. Forces were also on high alert in the Jerusalem area.
This latest warning of an attack comes less than 24 hours after a bomb exploded in the main cafetaria at the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem, killing seven people and wounding 97. One person was still in critical condition and 12 in serious condition Thursday morning following the blast.
Five of the seven killed were foreign nationals - four of them from the United States and one from France, the radio said. One of the Americans killed was identified Thursday morning as Janice Colter, 37, the deputy director of the Hebrew University's foreign students department in New York.
Meanwhile, several explosions were heard near Yasser Arafat's compound in the West Bank town of Rmallah, after Israeli army moved into it Thursday morning. Apart from the explosions, shooting and machine gun fire could be heard in the vicinity of the compound.
Two Israeli tanks were seen moving from the area of the compound into the city's central Al-Manara square. Bulldozers were operating in the area, media reports said.
The Israeli army demolished early Thursday morning the Beit Jallah home of Majid Ata, 17, who carried out the suicide bombing in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Military sources said this was part of a series of actions decided upon after the university bombing. These measures include expulsion of bombers' families to the Gaza Strip, demolition of homes and prevention of financial assistance for the families.
The Israeli army was still operating in Palestinian-controlled towns Thursday, making several arrests in the West Bank. Two explosive devices were activated early Thursday morning near Israeli troops in Nablus, and Palestinians fired at soldiers in Jenin. There were no injuries in both incidents, Israel Radio reported. (Albawaba.com)
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