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U.S. advance intelligence on Kenya 'was not relayed' to Israel

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Sunday, December 1, 2002

JERUSALEM Ñ Israeli officials acknowledged their nation's security agencies were caught off guard by Al Qaida's attack on Mombasa, Kenya.

They said the United States, Australia and Germany and were alerted to the prospect of an attack in Kenya and other areas of east Africa. But the information was not sent to Israel in advance of two attacks attributed to Al Qaida that killed three Israelis on Thursday.

"It could be that the information was not relayed," Knesset member Ophir Pines, a member of parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said. "We have to investigate why."

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have restricted major public gatherings because of new intelligence warning of an Islamic attack.

Officials ordered the suspension of activities at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium in wake of what they said was information that the facility could be a target of Islamic insurgents. They said the information of a possible attack was general but focused on areas where large crowds of Israelis gather.

A soccer game planned to be held in the stadium on Sunday will be held in the Tel Aviv area. At the same time, Israeli security forces have been moved to Jerusalem.

Authorities have reviewed security measures as the Islamic fast month of Ramadan draws to a close. On late Sunday, Muslims will observe Leilat Al Khader, which marks the end of the fast and is celebrated by fireworks.

In the Gaza Strip, an Israeli military force destroyed the homes of three Palestinian insurgents around the northern town of Beit Lahiya.

Palestinian sources said one Palestinian was killed and 11 others were injured in the subsequent clash on early Sunday. The force left Beit Lahiya hours later.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the military would be more active in the Gaza Strip. But in a meeting with senior officers over the weekend, the minister, a former chief of staff, ruled out the capture of Palestinian Authority-controlled areas of the Gaza Strip.

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