Stabbing Attack Thwarted at Tapuach Junction

Security forces thwarted a terror stabbing attack at the Tapuach Junction in the Shomron on Sunday morning. Soldiers stationed at the lift station (trempiyada) at the junction observed an Arab female attempting to approach the area where Jews were waiting for rides. They inspected her belongings and discovered a large knife. The Arab was arrested and taken in for questioning.

The Tapuach Junction has been the site of numerous stabbing attacks, but has been relatively quiet since December, when former head of the Shomron Regional Council, Gershon Mesika, thwarted a stabbing attack against IDF soldiers there. Mesika observed a Palestinian waving a knife around and rushing up to a girl, planning to stab her. Mesika ran down the terrorist, and IDF soldiers then opened fire on the terrorist, neutralizing her.

In response to such attacks, the IDF has built concrete barriers for those seeking a ride to stand behind.

Overnight Motzoei Shabbos, security officials said they had arrested eight wanted security suspects in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned about their activities by security forces.