Police Nab Maale Adumim Attack Gang

Security forces on Sunday arrested a gang of three Arabs who were involved in numerous incidents of rock and firebomb attacks in the Maale Adumim area. The three, between the ages of 15 and 17, are residents of the Yerushalayim Arab neighborhood of Issawiya.

According to police, the three would gather on a regular basis to attack Israeli vehicles traveling on the road between Yerushalayim and Maale Adumim. They were active at night and in the early morning. Police conducted a several-months-long investigation in order to catch the gang. The three used rocks and firebombs to attack vehicles, and raised money from local residents in Issawiya to fund the purchase of materials needed to make firebombs. Several individuals were injured in the attacks, and numerous cars were damaged.

Besides vehicles, they also attacked on several occasions a gas station at the entrance to Issawiya. The gas station is Arab-owned.

Last week, police picked up another suspect from Issawiya who was involved in similar kinds of attacks. Police are investigating if there was a connection between the two. Police said they would remain vigilant and attempt to prevent terror incidents of this type by increasing patrols and using intelligence from the field to catch culprits.