When a soldier asked her to remove her long, dark cloak, she turned to face him. All her movements were taped by the military surveillance camera at the checkpoint: calmly, deliberately, she took off her clothing, item by item, until she looked like any normal young woman in T-shirt and jeans. It was then that she tried to set off the belt containing 20lb of explosives hidden beneath her trousers. To her horror, she did not succeed. Desperate, she clawed at her face, screaming. She was still alive, she realised. She had failed her martyrdom mission.

Young Miss Biss is now being housed with 30 other Muslim women who were either stopped from their attempts at martyrdom or backed out at the last minute. What rewards do these women seek?

One of the inmates, Ayat Allah Kamil, 20, from Kabatya, told me why she had wanted to become a martyr: "Because of my religion. I'm very religious. For the holy war [jihad] there's no difference between men and women shaid [martyrs]." According to the Koran, male martyrs are welcomed to Paradise by 72 beautiful virgins. Ayat, as with many of the women she is incarcerated with, believes that a woman martyr "will be the chief of the 72 virgins, the fairest of the fair".

As the Best of the Web summarized yesterday, "the highest aspiration for a fundamentalist Palestinian girl is murder, suicide and prostitution." Not an environment that cares for its women. But was an aspiration to be the head virgin the primary reason for Miss Biss and the other women to pursue martyrdom or was it the least of bad alternatives?

According to their female guard, Some of them did it to make amends for a relative who was a collaborator, others to escape becoming victims of honour killings, and for the psychologically frail or depressed it was a good way to commit suicide and at the same time become 'heroines'. Miss Biss's neck and hands were covered with scars caused by a kitchen gas explosion six months earlier. The ugly scars - which had been treated in a hospital in Israel - had probably helped turn her into the perfect would-be huriia (virgin), the ideal martyr, since they would make it difficult for her to find a suitable husband.

So Israeli citizens treated Miss Biss at their taxpayer expense for her injuries and Miss Biss thanked them by trying to kill other Israelis six months later. She did this because she hoped to become the chief of the 72 virgins who would be given to a male Muslim martyr in the Islamic afterlife. I feel pity for her. I also think this shows the problem with a "religion of peace" that professes eternal rewards for those who slaughter others. Given the tenets of her religion and the anti-female beliefs of her culture, Miss Biss made a rational decision to kill Jews. So long as people believe in the stated tenets of Islam, we will hear stories like this.

The dog's diary:

8am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite! 9am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite 10am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite! 11am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite! Noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite! 1pm - Oh Boy! The yard! My favorite! 3pm - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite! 4pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite! 5pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite! 7pm - Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite! 9pm - Oh Boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My favorite!

The cat's diary

Day 183 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.

Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded - must try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair - must try this on their bed.

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmm, not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches.

The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit.

The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.