The bodies of the two Palestinians were discovered in an open field separating Jerusalem's Katamonim and Beit Safafa neighborhoods. The two apparently experienced a "work accident" while preparing a medium-sized explosive device. Initial police reports indicated that the Palestinians were not intending to act as suicide bombers, but may have intended to plant their bombs at the nearby stadium.

Israeli police told reporters that they know the identity of

"Jerusalem will be the most secure place in the world." - Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert

the two terrorists. Palestinian sources identified one as Ibrahim Muhammad, 22, from Adana, near Bethlehem. Maariv cited unnamed Palestinian sources who claimed that the two were shot and killed by Israeli security forces.

Jerusalem Police Commander Mickey Levi said that security forces are on general alert to prevent terrorist attacks and dismissed recent "hot warnings" by saying the police were unaware of specific planned attacks. Even so, unnamed security sources cited on ynet said that there are warnings Palestinian terrorists will attempt to launch an attack at the Maccabiah Games or nearby the stadium.

More than 1,000 policemen, hundreds of ushers and many civilian security guards will be on duty to protect tonight's opening ceremony, which will kick off the 16th Maccabiah Games at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium. Over 2,000 Jewish athletes from around the world will participate in this year's games, in addition to the 714 members of the Israeli delegation. President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and other public figures will attend the opening.

Many of the streets near the stadium will be blocked off while the ceremony is taking place, and invitees will arrive on special busses. Police forces will surround the stadium in three security rings. One force will be directly outside the stadium; the second will secure roads leading towards the stadium; and the third will be stationed at the parking lots at which invitees will board special busses to bring them to the ceremony.

The police are prepared for a number of possible scenarios that could affect the Maccabiah opening. The police are well aware of the stadium's close proximity to areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. In the past, shots fired from the Beit Jalla area reached Jerusalem's Malha neighborhood near the stadium.

Are security precautions strict enough?
Some of the Maccabiah participants have raised the fear that security precautions are not as strict as promised. Harold Gottlieb, head of the South African delegation, claims that promises to place an armed security guard on the team's busses have not always been met.

Last night, Israel's Channel 2 television showed the lax security arrangements at the Maccabiah's preliminary swimming events, being held at the campus of the Technion in Haifa. It was clear from the coverage that cars were not being properly checked as they drove into the campus, and that security guards were not opening the bags and packages of visitors who came to watch the swimming competition.

A spokesman for the Maccabiah insisted this morning that the television report was distorted. According to the spokesman, the scenes shown were well inside the campus, past the initial, more stringent checks at the Technion entrance.

"Jerusalem will be the most secure place in the world at the time you will visit us," wrote Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert to Maccabiah participants in a letter published on the 16th Maccabiah web site. Israel's security forces are on high alert to ensure that this statement remains true.

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