ARMY SERCHES FOR KILLERS, WARNS OF MORE ATTACKS
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak implored settlers to rein in their anger, in statements made at a meeting Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Asnhkenazi and senior officer at Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
The group considered where and how to focus military forces to thwart further attacks in the West Bank and within Israel, as military and police patrols stepped up roadblocks and tried to show a heavier presence in general.
Hamas said terror strikes would continue; a-Zahar said Thursday that "people in the field" were behind the shooting attacks, and that there was no linkage to the talks in Washington.
"There are those who are saying the timing of the attacks was deliberate, but this is not true. When people have an opportunity, as well as the capabilities and targets, they act," a-Zahar told the London-based, pan-Arab Asharq Alawsat newspaper.
It may not be enough, however, according to IDF Brig.-Gen Nitzan Alon. "There may be more attacks," Alon said in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, although he said they had no specific intelligence leading up to the two attacks.
The bevy of leaders and power-brokers assembled at the White House, not to mention Israelis and Palestinians who will have to adapt to the results of what Netanyahu called "an historic compromise," have a stake in some kind of positive outcome of the talks, despite looming doubts over their success.
"As I told each of them today, this moment of opportunity may not soon come again," Obama said of initial private meetings with Netanyahu and Abbas.
"They cannot afford to let it slip away," Obama said.
Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
