Stage nightclub bombing aftermath
Photo: AP
PA frees terror suspects
Two Islamic Jihad members detained by Palestinian Authority following attack at Tel Aviv nightclub released; two more expected to go free Saturday. Israeli officials slam PA for returning to “revolving door” approach
The Palestinian Authority released Friday two Islamic Jihad members jailed in February on suspicion of involvement in the attack at the Stage nightclub in Tel Aviv.
The suicide bombing at the beachfront club killed five Israelis.
Two more Islamic Jihad members arrested in connection with the attack are expected to go free Saturday.
Later, Israel was able to kill some of those involved in carrying out the attack and detained others connected to the bombing. The terror suspects released by the Palestinians Friday are believed to have assisted the terrorist who carried out the attack.
In February, the PA arrested several Islamic Jihad members in the Tul Karem region, where the attack originated. At that time, six detainees were transferred to a prison in Jericho in coordination with Israel.
Since that time, the Islamic Jihad has demanded the release of the detainees in all contacts with senior Palestinian Authority officials. The terror group repeated the demand in a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Thursday.
‘Important victory for Palestinian resistance’
Islamic Jihad sources said Abbas and PA officials agreed to release the detainees during the session.
“This is an important victory for Palestinian resistance and for Palestinian unity,” a Jihad member said.
In response to the latest developments, government sources in Jerusalem slammed the PA for returning to the “revolving door” policy, where terror suspects are detained and promptly released.
“If they are indeed releasing those involved in the attack at the Stage (nightclub), there’s nothing new under the PA sun, and this requires Israel to adopt measures they (Palestinians) are failing to adopt, with Israel having full justification for this,” one source said.
