Ali Shamkhani's successor is Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the former chief of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's strategic center.

Israel Democracy Institute survey shows that Israelis lay the blame for the rising costs of housing and food on the politicians rather than on the large corporations, with only 8% giving it a positive grade.

No Israeli troops were hurt in the operation, which took place in Jenin and Nablus. Bomb manufacturing lab discovered.

Move, which puts into effect the measure that the Knesset approved in March, essentially lifts the restrictions on Israeli presence in the former settlement. US says this goes against Israeli commitment from 2005.

Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib says the group was arrested on the western borders of Iran.