Hebron checkpoint
Photo: Reuters
Stabbing attack at Cave of Patriarchs foiled
Border Guard officers operating checkpoint near religious site overpower 16-year old Palestinian resident of Hebron attempting to carry out stabbing attack on worshippers in cave
A stabbing attack at the Cave of the Patriarchs near Hebron was foiled Friday, when Border Guard officers stationed at the scene succeeded in preventing a 16-year old Palestinian resident of the city from assaulting worshippers in the cave with a knife.
The incident occurred at 3:30 pm, when a Palestinian boy arrived at the Border Guard checkpoint near the religious site. The boy arrived from the Kasbah, and the officers began to suspect him of wrongdoing when they noticed a strange bulge in his sock.
The officers called on the boy to halt a number of times, but their cries were not heeded. The boy then knelt, drew a knife from his sock, and began to advance on the officers. After one of the officers cocked his weapon the boy threw down the knife and began to retreat, at which point the troops overpowered him.
During a preliminary round of questioning the boy admitted that he had intended to carry out a stabbing attack at the cave. There were no injuries, and the boy was transferred to security forces for further questioning.
Two other Palestinians were arrested Friday by an IDF force operating near the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The two are suspected of throwing stones at Israeli vehicles in the area.
