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Most Terrorists Who Surrendered Hall from West Bank

July 28, 1971
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Another terrorist from Jordan surrendered to Israeli forces today near Kibbutz Gesher on Lake Tiberias. He crossed the line with his hands up and a Kalachnikof rifle on his back. Another terrorist, apparently intending to surrender, was killed last night when an explosive charge detonated as he was crossing into the Golan Heights. Israeli authorities disclosed today that a majority of the terrorists who surrendered to Israeli forces last week to escape the pursuing Jordanian Army were born on the West Bank and had been members of guerrilla organizations for no more than two years or less.

The authorities said that 70 percent of the terrorists belonged to El Fatah, the largest of the Palestinian guerrilla organizations. About 20 percent belonged to the Syrian-backed Al Saiqa and the remainder were members of various smaller terrorist groups. Only 13.5 percent were in the guerrilla movement for periods of two-three years and only one admitted to six years’ membership. Fully 60 percent of the voluntary captives had between one-two years in guerrilla ranks and 26,5 percent less than one year. Several of the terrorists were from Syria, Iraq and Kuwait but said their parents came from the West Bank. Six were from the Gaza Strip. All had been stationed in the Jerash Ajloun district of northern Jordan, away from the Israeli lines. Among the captives, only two were commanders, apparently of local guerrilla sections.

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