TODAY IN ISRAEL--APRIL 1ST, 2004

Jordanian forces in hectic hunt for 4 al Qaeda terrorists and truck loaded with explosives believed to have infiltrated kingdom for bombing attacks on Amman’s big hotels

Mubarak abruptly abandons Thursday’s scheduled dates with Syrian and Sudanese presidents at Sharm el-Sheikh and flies off to Cairo without explanation.

Hebron regional commander Jemal Hamamra among eight leaders of Arafat’s Fatah-al Aqsa Brigades terrorist group captured early Thursday barricaded in Bethlehem psychiatric institution.

Israeli security officials report captures thwarted major suicide attack planned for Passover Seder Monday. DEBKAfile adds: Hamamra was mastermind of February 22 Jerusalem bus blast paid for by Iran in which 10 Israelis died.

Three US officials Hadley, Abrams and Burns call on Sharon in Jerusalem Thursday after meeting Palestinian PM Qureia in Jericho. Qureia holds earlier talks with Nigel Shanewold, senior adviser to British PM Blair. Tuesday, Al Aqsa Brigades-Gaza warned “representatives of Black House� to stay out of Palestinian territory.

In wave of terrorist and guerrilla attacks north of Baghdad, five US soldiers killed outside Fallujah, 4 foreign civilian contractors lynched, one believed American, when their two cars were struck with grenades inside town, their bodies burned, dragged through streets and hanged by dancing mob. In S. Iraq, three British soldiers injured by roadside bomb in Basra.

DEBKAfile’s Counter-Terror Experts: Fallujah outrage was pre-planned by al Qaeda to follow Madrid training bombings and set up “domino effect� against Bush administration in Iraq.

The planning stages were outlined by DEBKA-Net-Weekly on March 19. Article summarized below

In Baquba, twelve Iraqis injured by car bomb explosion – five of them bodyguards of local governor. Earlier, Mosul government house in northern Iraq attacked second time in week. Katyusha rocket fire killed 4, injured 19.

European parliamentary watchdog finds rising anti-Semitism in Europe gives 1,2 million Jews on continent cause to live in fear. Worst offenders: white, right-wing extremist men followed by young Moslems of N. African or Asian origin. Attacks increase six-fold in France, double in Belgium and UK.

Man arrested in Canada on terrorist-related charges. Detainee called Kawaja is Canadian citizen. His detention is first foreign connection with eight suspected Islamic terrorists who were rounded up in London Tuesday with large store of explosives.


Five youths detained in continuing clashes with IDF troops continue over removal of Hazon David outpost near Hebron.


Uzbek police arrest 30 after three days terrorist attacks, suicide bombings and clashes in which 42 people were killed. Uzbek government blames Islamic extremist groups who deny charge.


Israel wins dispute over staging of showcase Final Four European basketball match in Tel Aviv later this month, overcoming pressure to relocate event after killing of Hamas leader Yassin. Valencia fined $6,000 for missing match last week.

from: www.debka.org