Israeli sources reported today a notable relaxation of terrorist activities along Israel’s northern borders since last month’s air and ground strikes against terrorist bases in southern Lebanon. The sources said the terrorists seemed to be pulling out of the border villages, apparently under pressure from the villagers, and are moving into interior regions of Lebanon. They said the Syrian line was quiet. Indicating that the Syrians also “got the message” of the raids into Lebanon and are exerting tight control over terrorist elements on their territory.
Israeli sources said yesterday that the Syrian alarm over an allegedly Imminent Israeli attack has lessened in recent days. The sources noted the absence of Syrian military activity in the border region and observed that Damascus may have used the state of alert last month to convince the Soviet Union of Its need for additional arms to deter an Israeli attack.
The Israeli Army high command, meanwhile, has relaxed its call-up of privately owned civilian vehicles for military service. The Army said civilian vehicle would no longer be used In forward area and that none would be pressed into military service more than once in three years.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
