TEL AVIV — Israel's intelligence community has reported a sharp
increase in insurgency attacks in 2010.
The Israel Security Agency reported a 57 percent increase in Palestinian
attacks in January 2010 compared to the previous month, Middle East Newsline reported. ISA, responsible for
domestic intelligence, cited 80 attacks on civilians and soldiers in
January, compared to 51 in December 2009.
"An increase occurred particularly from rocket fire from the Gaza Strip
into Israel," ISA said.
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In a report released on Feb. 4, the Israeli intelligence service
reported a "clear and significant rise in the number of terror incidents in
January." During that month, the report said, Palestinian gunners fired 13
rockets and 28 mortars from the Gaza Strip into Israel, a nearly four-fold
increase from December 2009.
Palestinian insurgency strikes were also said to have increased sharply
in the West Bank and Jerusalem. About 75 percent of attacks in the West Bank
in January were comprised of firebombs hurled toward Israeli soldiers and
civilians. Other attacks included light weapons fire and four improvised
explosive devices.
The insurgency level in January was said to have been the highest since
October 2009. During October, about half of the attacks stemmed from the
West Bank.
The report did not explain the sharp increase in Palestinian attacks.
But officials said they appeared to stem from a decision by the ruling Fatah
movement in the West Bank to organize another uprising against Israel.
