Three terrorists eliminated during attack near Jerusalem; police say much bigger disaster was averted
Terror cell from Hebron intended to carry out a large-scale attack
Three terrorists who shot and wounded six Israelis on Thursday morning were planning to carry out a larger-scale attack, the Israel Police said in a statement.
Magen David Adom treated six Israeli citizens with gunshot wounds – one of them in critical condition, two in moderate, and three in good condition. They were evacuated to hospitals in Jerusalem.
In addition, three people were treated for anxiety.
The cell of three terrorists only began shooting at the “tunnel checkpoint” near Jerusalem after they were stopped for inspection, Police District Commander Doron Turgeman explained.
“If they hadn’t been stopped, they probably would have arrived in Jerusalem,” he added.
The terrorists were equipped with two handguns and two M-16 rifles.
After the incident, security forces found additional ammunition, including at least 20 magazines with hundreds of bullets, two axes, a hammer and clothing that resembled IDF uniforms in the terrorists’ vehicle.
The terrorists were residents of Hebron and drove north on Highway 60 with fake Israeli identification plates on their car, until they were stopped at the checkpoint just south of Jerusalem.
Hebron is a known stronghold of the Hamas terror organization in the West Bank, making it likely that the terrorists were sent by the terror group.
Hamas did not officially take responsibility for the attack.
Police Chief Kobi Shabtai, at the scene of the attack, said the terrorists intended to commit a massacre and brought food with them in preparation for an extended stay inside Israel.
“We are deployed with checkpoints and inspections, in cooperation with all the security forces,” Shabtai affirmed.
“We are making sure to increase our presence everywhere and are continuing to train armed emergency squads for the protection of communities.”
Since the start of the war, around 1,750 wanted persons have been arrested throughout Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank.
Approximately 1,000 of the arrested suspects are associated with the Hamas terrorist organization.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
