Quiet Prevails Over Second Yom Tov

There were several security incidents reported on the last days of Pesach, but the days passed in relative quiet, capping what turned out to be, b’chasdei Shamayim, a successful Pesach from a security point of view. On Friday, Shevi’i shel Pesach, two knife-wielding terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers at a checkpoint on Road 443 in Shomron. The two were neutralized after they began inching towards the soldiers, refusing orders to halt. One of the terrorists was shot and injured, while the second was arrested after she tried to run away. The two were 14-years-old, officials said.

On Friday evening, IDF soldiers shot at four terrorists who tried to sneak into Israel from Gaza. The four attempted to breach the border fence, but retreated after shots were fired. In another incident in Gaza, three terrorists attempted to dismantle parts of the border fence, and attacked IDF soldiers with rocks when they tried to prevent the breach.

Arabs attacked Israeli police officers at the entrance to the Mughrabi Gate on Har HaBayis. Eight Arabs were arrested in the riot. Tensions were calmed after police held a discussion with Muslim clerics, who quieted the crowd without need for further action by the Israelis.