Teens suspected in gas depot torching

Two youngsters detained on suspicion of blowing up building in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, to protest pullout. Authorities recover weapons, incitement material during search of their homes
By Eli Senyor

Two teenagers have been detained early Sunday on suspicion of attempting to torch a gas depot in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, over the weekend. The two youngsters, aged 17 and 19, apparently planned to blow up a nearby residential building to protest the pullout plan.

Disaster Averted

Pullout foes torch gas depot / By Eli Senyor

Disaster narrowly averted in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, after pullout objectors torch gas depot near residential building, write anti-Sharon slogans nearby. Quick action by firefighters prevents giant explosion

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Authorities searched the homes of the two suspects where they found weapons and incitement material. The two will be brought before a judge at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's court Sunday morning.

On Friday, firefighters called to the scene of a fire were stunned to discover someone tried to torch a large underground gas depot. Later, authorities found rags drenched in flammable materials attached to the gas depot's valves.

At the time, police officials said a gas explosion would have led to a disaster and added two nearby residential buildings may have collapsed as a result of the blast. As a result, police treated the incident as an attempted terror attack and set up a special investigation team to catch the suspects.

On Saturday, police forces arrived at the homes of the two suspects, known as far right activists, following an intelligence tip. The two also have a long record of disruptions in the framework of anti-pullout protests.