Security nabs Islamic Jihad bomber en route to attack

[Behind the Aegis]

Security forces arrested an Islamic Jihad operative armed with a bomb yesterday, thwarting a terror attack in the center of the country.

The would-be bomber, who was nabbed in a Palestinian taxi near the West Bank settlement of Ariel, told interrogators he was planning to place the bomb in a city in the center of the country.

The Shin Bet received an intelligence warning about a terrorist leaving Jenin with a bomb, and worked with the Israel Defense Forces and the anti-terror unit of the police to foil the attack. Security forces went on high alert in the West Bank and along the seam line yesterday morning. The IDF deployed large forces in the streets of Tul Karm and Qalqilyah and set up roadblocks in an effort to keep the would-be bomber from entering Israel.

He was one of about 30 passengers in three Palestinian taxis that were stopped by troops on the Trans-Samaria Highway. The passengers were ordered to get out of the taxis, strip and display the possessions they were carrying.


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