Earlier this month, the PA sent 17 of the unexploded IEDs found in the West
Bank to the Israeli military. On April 10, the devices, including pipe
bombs, were detonated.
Officials said the PA has been finding bombs meant to cause numerous
casualties when detonated by remote control. They said the PA recently
found a 12-kilogram bomb connected to a natural gas cannister outside the
West Bank city of Jenin. That bomb was also sent to Israel by the PA.
"We think Hamas as well as Hizbullah wants to conduct major attacks in
the area," the official said.
Israel's military has confirmed the PA transfer of the IEDs. A military
statement reported two PA transfers within a month of bombs found in the
West Bank.
"The move however, indicates a positive cooperation between the
Palestinian security apparatus and the Israeli security forces," the
military said on April 11.
The Israel Army's Central Command has issued an alert to troops
throughout the West Bank of the prospect of renewed violence. The alert was
said to have described an explosive situation that stemmed from a Fatah
decision to increase Palestinian unrest as well as Hamas's drive to renew
major insurgency strikes.
