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Boy hurt in blast; cult involvement suspected
Ariel teen severely injured after opening package he believed was Purim basket; Police investigating all possible leads, including cult involvement
Is a cult responsible for an explosion that severely wounded an Ariel teen? The 15-year-old teenager opened a package that he believed was a Purim gift Thursday, and was severely wounded in the intense explosion that followed.
Ariel police said they are investigating all possible leads on this incident, including the suspected involvement of a cult. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the attack is related to that fact that the boy's parents are messianic Jews.
The explosion occurred around 2:30 pm local time, and Magen David Adom medics as well as police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene. Yarkon Area MDA medic, Nir Katua, said that the teen sustained severe neck injuries. Chief Yarkon area medic Gil Moskowitz asid the teen was treated for injuries to the head, neck and chest.
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Police at crime scene (Photo: Channel 10 News)
After initial treatment by MDA medics, the teen was transported to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, where he was immediately anesthetized and sent to surgery. The bomb squad was dispatched to the teen’s home in order to examine the explosive device.
Chief Superintendent Mark Amiel reported that the police department “considers this case a criminal investigation and is examining all possible leads in this matter, including the suspected involvement of a cult.”
The chief superintended also said “the explosion occurred inside the apartment, and the bomb squad is examining the explosives involved. The teen found the package outside his door, and was subsequently severely injured. He is currently in surgery and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Neither the teen nor his family have a criminal record of any kind.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this article
