(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

SECURITY/DEFENSE:

*IDF soldiers involved in anti-terror operations throughout Yehuda and Shomron on Sunday night arrested 14 suspects. No injuries were reported.

*A Jewish woman was attacked by an Arab assailant near the Ma’arat HaMachpelah on Monday afternoon, pulling off her hair covering, knocking her down and fleeing. Security forces did not succeed in apprehending the attacker. Later in the day police reported an arrest was made. It was also learned the victim did not require medical attention.

*Chevron resident Aviad Cohen, accused of attacking an Israel Police officer and an Arab was released from jail with restrictions, Reshet Bet Radio reported on Monday evening.

*Israeli motorists were attacked by Arabs hurling rocks on the road near Halhoul, between Gush Etzion and Chevron. No injuries reported.

*Arabs targeted Israeli motorists in firebomb attacks near Azzoun in Shomron on Monday. No injuries were reported.

*A rocket fired from Gaza fell south of Ashkelon on Monday afternoon. No injuries. At least one other rocket fired landed in Gaza.

*Two checkpoints in the Jericho area were removed on Monday as was a checkpoint near Rimonim, a yishuv in the Benjamin Regional Council of Shomron. This in line with Israeli concessions as reported to US Secretary of State Rice. As a result, Jewish motorists will be compelled to travel in those areas without the presence and protection of the IDF.

POLITICS, DOMESTIC & MORE:

*Two Tuba residents were indicted for allegedly dismantling an IDF emergency bridge in the north, reportedly to sell the raw materials for profit.

*A prisoner in the Tiveria police station was found hanged in his cell on Monday morning. An investigation was launched.

*Police on Monday morning arrived in the Shomron community of Har Bracha to remove illegal concrete supports for caravan homes. Hundreds of “Eretz Yisrael Faithful” members were on hand, protesting and burning tires. The protestors prevented police from achieving their objective.

*Arabs on Sunday night set a tent ablaze belonging to an encampment in the Tapuach Jct. area. No injuries were reported.

*State Attorney General Mazuz has decided not to launch a criminal investigation against opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu in the expenditures abroad affair, referring to a trip to London during the Second Lebanon War.

*Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee approved the IDF reserve duty bill seeking to improve conditions for reserve duty soldiers and officers.

*The Jerusalem Planning Committee on Monday approved the construction of 600 housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev. Officials add the plan is part of Mayor Uri Lupoliansky’s plan to construct an additional 40,000 building units in the capital, primarily for young couples.

*Two prisoners were injured in a Monday afternoon blaze in Rimonim Prison in the Sharon area. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

*Gas prices at the pumps increased this week again, now holding at NIS 6.41 a liter for 95 octane — the equivalent of $7.30 a US gallon.