Israelis were urged on Monday to carry guns during the coming week in case Palestinian militants attempt to carry out revenge attacks during the Passover holiday.
Palestinians from all factions have promised reprisals against Israel for the assassination last month of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas.
Nothing has yet happened in Israel, but the defence minister, Shaul Mofaz, told the cabinet on Sunday: ”Terror organisations, in particular Hamas, will make every effort during Passover to carry out a large-scale attack.”
The police commissioner, Shlomo Aharonishki, said the force had remained at a constant level of high alert since the assassination of Yassin. He added that all Israelis licensed to carry guns should carry them over the holiday period.
To improve security Palestinians will be not be allowed to leave their towns and villages in the West Bank until the end of April.
Mofaz told the cabinet that the security forces would continue to try to stop attacks, using assasinations and other tactics.
In a series of interviews to mark Passover the prime minister, Ariel Sharon, reiterated his threats to Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestinian Authority, and militant leaders.
He said that Israel’s promise to the US not to harm Arafat was no longer valid. – Guardian Unlimited Â