Explosive device (archive photo)
Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office
Palestinian caught with 6 pipe bombs
Strange behavior raises suspicion of checkpoint soldiers east of Nablus. IDF sappers destroy devices, suspect taken for questioning by security forces
IDF forces discovered six pipe bombs Saturday evening in the possession of a Palestinian at a checkpoint east of Nablus. Sappers destroyed the explosive devices and the Palestinian was taken for questioning by the security forces.
Soldiers at the West Bank checkpoint suspected the man because of his abnormal behavior, upon which they opened his bag and found the devices.
Terror Attempts
Efrat Weiss
Palestinians carrying knives apprehended in Old City, Hebron and Qalandiya checkpoint; security officials say increase in attempted stabbings due to emergence of 'popular terror' in light of difficulty to carry out suicide attacks
IDF sources noted that while this attempt is not an unusual occurrence, it nonetheless points to continued efforts by terror groups to transfer explosives from one place to another for use in attacks. "Pipe bombs may be primitive devices, but they can certainly cause harm," the sources said.
They also noted that the use of such devices reflects the difficulty terror groups are experiencing in producing more sophisticated devices. "Pipe bombs, by nature, cannot carry a large amount of explosives. At a time when it is hard to make larger devices and transfer them to various places, we are likely to see more devices of this kind."
Also this weekend, IDF reserve soldiers arrested a Palestinian who had thrown stones at an Israeli vehicle east of Ramallah, and on Friday evening IDF forces discovered a 10 cm (4 inch) knife in the vehicle of a Palestinian passing a checkpoint southeast of Ramallah.
While the situation has been calmer recently, attempts are still being made to carry out attacks. On Friday, an indictment was filed against Rami Abu Dia, 27, resident of Bitunia, near Ramallah, who is accused of attempting an attack near the Western Wall two weeks ago.
Abu Dia's detailed plan for the attack is included in the indictment. He intended to grab his victim by the neck and stab him in the chest. For this purpose, he bought an 18 cm (7 inch) knife in Ramallah. He had first planned to stab soldiers at a checkpoint, but due to defensive measures at the checkpoint he retreated. Later he managed to get inside Israel and was caught on his way to the Old City.
