Five Palestinians were arrested Sunday evening in the West Bank when reserve soldiers found improvised weapons, two firebombs, and a knife in their possession. The suspects were arrested and taken in for questioning by security forces.
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| IDF kills Palestinian infiltrating into Barkan / Hanan Greenberg |
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Force fires warning shots at group of Palestinians approaching West Bank settlement, reports one of them carrying a weapon. After man ignores warning, force opens fire, leaving Palestinian dead. Initial scan reveals no weapon found on suspect's person |
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The Palestinians were arrested southeast of Nablus, by an IDF force patrolling near Beit Fourik village. The soldiers noticed two burning tires on the side of the road, and approached with caution until they saw two Palestinian men hiding nearby.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that the men were trying to attract soldiers with the tires, after which they planned to attack them with the weapons in their possession.
A military official said the incident was unusual. "The first interrogation revealed their intention," he said. "In any case, proper conduct by the reserve force thwarted the intention of the Palestinian cell to ambush soldiers and attack them."
Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, commended the troops on the arrest. "We are proud of the fighters and officers of the IDF, who fight terror day and night for all of the citizens of the state," he said.
"The removal of checkpoints and irresponsible easements in restrictions for the terrorists of the Palestinian Authority, who are dubbed 'police', are part of the roulette played by the state with its citizens. This incident could have ended horribly. We must learn of determination in the fight against terror from the IDF."
Last week a Palestinian was shot dead by an IDF force in the West Bank settlement of Barkan. The
soldiers noticed two or three Palestinians enter the settlement, and called on them to halt when they came within a few dozen meters of the homes.
The suspects split up, and soldiers say they identified a weapon in the hands of one. They attempted to arrest him but say that when he didn't heed their calls or stop when they fired in the air, they were forced to kill him.
Aviel Magnezi contributed to this report
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