Two Arrested in Hizme Bombing

Israeli security forces apprehended two suspects in the Memorial Day bombing that seriously wounded an IDF officer at the Arab village of Hizme, near north Yerushalayim, it was announced on Sunday.

The arrests were made in a joint overnight operation carried out by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the IDF and Israel Police.

On Tuesday evening, soldiers patrolling Hizme noticed a suspicious device which then exploded and injured the officer.

A subsequent search of the area revealed that four pipe bombs had exploded. An additional five bombs were found in a further sweep of the area and were neutralized by security forces.

The wounded IDF officer, Shahar Roditi, was reported in moderate condition as of Sunday evening. He is able to communicate with his family in writing as he cannot speak because of his injury.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited Roditi on Sunday, and said he was “touched” by his great courage and coping with the ordeal.

“What is needed now is more time for his recovery. There are excellent doctors here and a supporting environment and I’m sure his will power and the support of his family will help him return to an active life,” Yaalon said after a briefing by the doctors at the Hadassah Medical Center.