Reinforced IDF units are expected to reoccupy villages in which Islamic Jihad terrorists are hiding. The army will also severely restrict travel in the West Bank, and Israel has clamped a nearly complete closure on the territories. Only the Karni merchandise crossing remained opened.

Patrols will also be beefed up along the seam line and security fence to halt infiltrations.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz issued the instructions following a situation assessment with top IDF and Shin Bet commanders in Tel Aviv. Mofaz said he would seek permission from Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz to resume demolishing the houses of terrorists as a deterrent.

"This is a necessary step so that everyone who even considers committing suicide knows there is a price for that," he told Army Radio.

He added that the defense establishment had changed its mind regarding the deterrent effect of house demolitions and that they were now considered effective.

"The infrastructure of Islamic Jihad, which is a tiny organization but very extremist, isn't loath to use any means to carry out its violent terror. I think that we need to operate with all of our channels to deter and to foil," Mofaz said. "One of these channels is to demolish the houses of terrorists."

On Sunday, Mofaz had ordered targeted killings resumed after an increase in Kassam and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip.

In light of this, and especially after the suicide bombing, terrorists across the territories have gone underground.

"It's not like there is [a targeted killing] sitting on the shelf and we just carry it out. It has to be planned and requires the proper intelligence. That takes time," said one defense official. [...]