BACKGROUND INFORMATION 10 September 2004

Attributed to "security sources" [Provided by the IDF Spokesperson]

[IMRA: "Tanzim" is the illegal militia of Yasser Arafat's Fatah]

Suicide Bombing Attack inside Israel Thwarted

An explosive device transported in a Taxi near Nablus

A Tanzim operative, Ibraihim Hamed Salem Abu Zahu, was arrested in
possession of a powerful explosive device weighing 10 Kg, at the Tubas
checkpoint near Nablus. The explosive device was designated to be used for a
suicide bombing attack inside Israel.

Abu Zahu was arrested yesterday, September 09, 2004, following high
intelligence alerts regarding Tanzim operatives from the region of Jenin and
Nablus who were operating recently to carry out a suicide bombing attack
inside Israel, by dispatching a person who will pass from Nablus into
israel.

On Wednesday, September 08, 2004, information was received regarding the
intentions of the Tanzim infrastructure to transfer a bag laden with
explosives from Nablus into Israel.

On Thursday, September 09, 2004, following specific information forces
deployed in the area between Jenin and Nablus in order to arrest Abu Zahu,
the Tanzim operative carrying the explosive bag.

Yesterday afternoon, after IDF forces pursued Abu Zahu, a force identified a
taxi attempting to bypass the Tubas checkpoint. As the forces stopped the
taxi a bag containing explosives and a battery were thrown out of the car.

Suppers found a powerful explosive device within the bag, and detonated it
in a controlled manner.

In addition, the passengers of the taxi were questioned at the spot, among
them Abu Zahu, the Tanzim operative who was involved in this attempted
attack.

The discovery of the explosive device followed an intense intelligence
efforts thwarted an additional attempt by the Tanzim in Nablus to carry out
another suicide bombing attack inside Israel.