Israel declared a high state of alert, with the army and police in a high state of readiness in anticipation of confrontations on an expected Palestinian day of rage, following a wave of air and sea attacks against Palestinian positions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. AFP also said that Israel's army and police were on a war footing over fears of terror attacks following the release of Islamic militant group Hamas prisoners by the Palestinian Authority the day before.
The agency added that an unidentified top Israeli security official warned on state radio of the possibility of attacks "in the coming days or even hours."
CNN said Israeli tanks were surrounding the West Bank and Gaza, which were closed off Thursday immediately following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by angry Palestinian protestors in Ramallah.
CNN TV pictures showed a few Palestinians waiting at crossing points as an extremely tense atmosphere prevailed into the area, which was under complete siege.
A Palestinian policeman was killed and at least 45 people were injured in the Israeli air raids that targeted the Palestine Authority headquarters, offices, and police stations in Ramallah and Gaza and Jericho.
Angry Palestinians took to the streets following the raids as a wave of anger gripped the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and most of the Arab world.
Jericho was also targeted by the Israeli air raids, which hit a Palestinian police academy in the town. Shortly afterwards, an attempt to set an old synagogue on fire was reported in Jericho. Palestinain police prevented youths from approoaching the place.
Israel described the air raids as a limited action against the Palestinians following the killing of the two soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told a news conference Thursday that he was working to form a national emergency cabinet that will include members of Israel’s political spectrum – (Several Sources)
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