Stabbing Attack Thwarted in Shuafat

Security forces prevented a stabbing attack in Yerushalayim Monday afternoon. An Arab attempted to stab police officers in the Shuafat neighborhood of the city, but ran away before he could carry out his attack.

Apparently believing he was attacking Israeli civilians, the terrorist approached two individuals who turned out to be plainclothes detectives, who were in the area to gather information about stone-throwing terrorists. When the detectives saw the knife in the Arab’s hands, they identified themselves and demanded that he halt. Instead, the Arab threw the knife down and ran away.

The Arab is still at large. Police are searching the area for him.

Meanwhile, a Haifa court on Monday released an individual who was being held on charges of assisting Tel Aviv terrorist Nashat Melhem to escape after carrying out a shooting attack in central Tel Aviv on January 1st. Police have filed a petition to extend his remand. The petition will be heard by the court Tuesday.