Report: Military Intelligence chief says without peace process, terror wave will grow
The security establishment has been dealing with terrorism that doesn't appear to have an end or a clear definition, Channel 10 cites intel assessment as saying.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: FEBRUARY 22, 2016 22:33IDF soldiers stand guard during a demonstration by Palestinians against the closure of the main road in Jabaa area south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem(photo credit: REUTERS)
In the case where there is no peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, the current wave of terror will only increase, a Channel 10 report Monday cited the Chief of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate Maj.-Gen. Herzl "Herzi" Halevi as warning.In an intelligence assessment presented in late January to the Security Cabinet, Halevi reportedly explained that the security establishment has already for the last five months dealt with terrorism that doesn't appear to have an end or a clear definition.In the event that the diplomacy and peace talks don't begin to offset the efforts of security forces, there is a danger that others will join the wave of Palestinian terror, senior military officials reportedly told the cabinet.The full report is expected to be transferred to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday, according to Channel 10.In response, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot ordered on Monday that all soldiers serving in combat units will be required to carry their weapons while off duty.The order comes as Israeli citizens are on increasingly high alert as a current wave of terror attacks, which began in September 2015, continues to plague the country.Since October, stabbings, shootings and car ramming by Palestinians have killed 28 Israelis and a US citizens. Israeli security forces have killed at least 167 Palestinians, 110 of whom Israel says were assailants, while most others were shot dead during violent anti-Israeli protests.Reuters contributed to this report.