This Week: Suicide Bombing Attack Thwarted at Erez

A Palestinian woman arrived at the "Erez" security crossing in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday (20/06/05), wearing knee-long explosive pants rigged with approximately 10 kilograms of explosives. The explosives were concealed underneath two additional layers of clothing. The woman, who was acting in a suspicious manner, was stopped by IDF soldiers after she had entered the Israeli side of the crossing.

Israel releases image of alleged suicide bomber at Erez checkpoint.

A security check by IDF soldiers revealed the explosives, which were later detonated in a controlled manner by sappers. The woman was taken for questioning by security forces.

It should be noted that this bombing attempt joins another in August 2004 where a terrorist was caught at the 'Erez' crossing wearing explosive pants with the intent to carry out a bombing within Israel.

In the past week alone, secrity forces have: stopped a cell of 15-16 year old terrorists planning on carrying out attacks in Israel; apprehended a youth with 5 pipe bombs at the Hawara crossing; and uncovered a bomb laboratory in Jenin with over 50 kg of explosive material.

Yesterday a Non-Commissioned Officer was killed while doing engineering work along the Israeli-Egyptian border, and this morning an Israeli civilian was murdered by gunfire in the northern West Bank.

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