Female bomber nabbed
Palestinian woman tells interrogators she intended to blow up at southern hospital
Gaza resident Wafa Samir Ibraim Bas, 21 was carrying more than 10 kilograms (more than 22 pounds) of explosives and was picked up thanks to electronic anti-terror means utilized at the crossing.
Army officials said the woman surrendered only after attempting to detonate the charge at the crossing itself.
The woman was scheduled to arrive at Soroka hospital in the Southern town of Be’er Sheva for some tests Monday, and was hoping to take advantage of the medical appointment to carry out a suicide attack.
During her interrogation, the would-be bomber said she was sent by the Fatah’s al-Aqsa Brigades. The group sought to utilize the humanitarian permits issued to the woman and instructed her to carry out the attack at the hospital, she said.
Erez crossing reopens
The Erez crossing was closed Friday, and again Monday, as a result of terror warnings. Notably, security authorities received a warning regarding the planned attack several days ago, prompting the crossing’s closure on several occasions.
Sappers later blew up the explosives in a controlled detonation and authorities later reopened the crossing.
IDF official Avi Levy told Ynet that despite the incident, the army is "making a distinction between terror groups who want to carry attacks and Palestinian civilians who want to make a living."
Women increasingly involved in terror
Although women generally refrained from taking part in terror attacks at first, their role has been increasing over time. In 2004, more then 50 women were involved in carrying out attacks.
Explosives blown up in a controlled detonation
Meanwhile, security forces have foiled 45 terror plots involving women during the more than four years of the intifada, while eight attacks were carried out.
A Shin Bet report prepared to summarize four years of fighting noted terror groups are exploiting the inherent advantages in using women to perpetrate terror attacks.
