Shin Bet: Palestinian Mortars Discovered Near Jerusalem; Hamas "a Strategic Threat

Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Monday that in the past two days the IDF uncovered a launcher and eight mortar shells in Bethlehem, which were planned to be fired at the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo.

Defense officials have expressed recent concern that Gilo was being targeted once again, following a number of thwarted attempts to fire at the neighborhood.

Diskin also described Hamas as a long-term threat to the State of Israel. "Hamas' offer of a 'hudna' (ceasefire) for ten years does not change their basic approach not to recognize the State of Israel," he said.

"The establishment of a Hamas Islamic extremist state along Israel's borders, and the attempt by radical Islamic elements to connect to it, could be responsible for military options which will form a strategic threat to Israel," he said.