December 29, 2003

Israel warns of major 'non-conventional' attack

Israeli intelligence officials say militant groups are planning a major "non-conventional" attack on New Year's Eve.

Possible targets are holy sites, nursery schools, apartment buildings and hospitals.

Police have been told to prepare for three possible scenarios: an air or sea-based attack or a ground assault involving several simultaneous suicide bombings, the officials said.

Senior intelligence officials know which of the three scenarios is most likely, but are reluctant to share the information with police officers to prevent leaks, the officials said.

The warnings are connected to Israel's killing of a senior Islamic Jihad "militant"[Sneer quotes on "militant" mine. Here's a word I'd love to see banned from the dictionary forever.--Jen] in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Following the airstrike, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said the death had prevented a "mega-terror attack," but security officials said the warnings are still relevant.

Good work, Israelis, on both averting a big attack and terminating the Islamic Jihad killer!
Turkey cancels New Year festivities amid alerts

Authorities have canceled New Year festivities in Istanbul's main square due to security concerns, the mayor's office announced Monday.

A leaked police document last week warned that terrorists may be planning attacks against U.S., Israeli and Western targets in Turkey in the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Of course, Turkey remains a prime target for the IslamoNazis, after America and Israel, because it's a predominantly Muslim country with a secular, democratic government and the jihadis really hate that.
Now, if only our people can get everything nailed down security-wise for the celebration in New York's Times Square: ever since 9/11, I've sweated through every drop of the crystal ball there, although it looks as if the Manhattan partiers there always have a good time (in spite of the terror caused by Dick Clark's face!).