IDF Arrests Dozens After Soldier Dies in Terror Shooting

IDF troops spread out throughout Yehudah and Shomron Wednesday night to arrest dozens of suspected terrorists. Thirty-three suspects were arrested, most of them for participating in riots in which civilians and IDF soldiers were endangered by firebombs and rock-throwing on the part of rioters. Several of the suspects were also accused of being members of Hamas.

The arrests came hours after the levayah of Eliav Gelman of Karmei Tzur, the IDF soldier who was critically wounded when fellow soldiers tried to prevent a stabbing attack against him at the Gush Etzion Junction on Wednesday. The soldier was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet meant for the Arab terrorist.

Although he was killed by “friendly fire,” IDF officials quoted on Israel Radio Thursday morning said that they held the Palestinian Authority fully responsible for the soldier’s death, since it came as the result of a terror attack that was incited by anti-Israel propaganda. The terrorist, who was injured when soldiers shot at him to prevent the stabbing attack, was a teacher from the Arab village of Dura.

In addition to the arrests, IDF soldiers on Wednesday night located the home of Balal Ahmed Adib Any Zayyid, who was involved in the terror stabbing of IDF soldier Hadar Cohen, Hy”d, at the beginning of February.

Also Wednesday night, police arrested a 22-year-old Arab from the Galilee town of Ibelin who had written in a social media post that he hoped to be able to carry out a terror attack. The Arab has been detained for questioning, and police said they plan to indict him.