(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*IDF soldiers involved in counter-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron during the night arrested seven suspects. The suspects in custody were turned over to security officials for interrogation.

*Officials permit publicizing that one of the terrorists responsible for the death of IDF soldier St.-Sgt, Ben-Tzion Haneman on Sept. 18, 2007 is in custody.

*A metallic rod was hurled at a bus traveling near Hawarah in Shomron, near Tapuach Junction. The windshield of the vehicle was smashed in the Tuesday night attack. No injuries.

*The windshield of at least one vehicle was smashed in a Tuesday afternoon rock-throwing attack near Efrat North Junction in Gush Etzion. No injuries.

*DM Ehud Barak refused a PA request to deploy PA paramilitary troops in Chevron.

*A tank corps soldier was critically wounded on Tuesday in a northern military outpost when a fellow combatant accidentally discharged a round while cleaning his weapon. He has already undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*A vehicle struck a horse near Misada in the Golan Heights on Tuesday evening. A woman was moderately-to-seriously injured, a toddler sustained serious injuries and three others were injured lightly.

*The trial of former President Moshe Katsav, which was to get underway today in the Jerusalem Magistrate�s Court has been postponed for two weeks to provide his attorney additional time to review documents.

*Former Meretz leader Yossi Sarid announced he will decide by the end of April if he plans to declare his candidacy in the Tel Aviv mayoral race.

*Three motorists were injured seriously and three lightly in a vehicular accident on Route 6, the Yitzchak Rabin Highway on Wednesday morning between the Eyal and Chorshim Interchanges.

*Lebanon announced it will not participate in the summit being hosted at week�s end in Syria, apparently due to ongoing internal problems in the country.