AP: Mideast Death Toll Dramatically Down
The death toll in the third year of Israeli-Palestinian violence fell to about half the previous year’s, mainly due to fewer Palestinian attacks and Israeli military strikes, according to an Associated Press count. Suicide bombings also dropped by about half. Violence continues to claim lives, children and teens remain among the most vulnerable, and the reasons for the drop are disputed. Palestinians said it’s because of hopes over the past year for an end to the violence, while Israeli analysts cited the construction of a massive fence complex in the West Bank and other security measures that have severely disrupted Palestinian daily life. Full Story