Arab Caught Trying to Smuggle Bomb Past Checkpoint

YERUSHALAYIM
Israeli army soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

Security forces on Tuesday foiled an attempt to smuggle an explosive device into northern Israel from Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. The incident occurred at the Gilboa crossing, in northern Shomron. A 17-year-old Arab was attempting to cross the security checkpoint on foot. He was asked to submit his backpack for a security check, and during the check officers noticed the device. The Arab was taken in for questioning.

A report Tuesday said that an Arab rioter had been shot by IDF soldiers Tuesday morning. Gaza sources claimed that the rioter was driving a tractor, flattening land for use by rioters in the coming days. A report on Kan News said that Hamas had decided to ratchet up terror and rioting in Gaza in the coming weeks, with the apex coming right before the elections. Israeli sources have not confirmed the report.

In preparation for accelerated levels of rioting, the report said, Hamas tractors were leveling ground in northern Gaza, preparing them as staging areas for riots. Riots that have been taken place in recent weeks were headed by Islamic Jihad, and not Hamas, the report said, with Hamas trying to tone down the riots in order to ensure efficient delivery of the Qatari cash. But now Hamas is planning to actively lead the riots, which could start in earnest as early as Tuesday, the report said.

Overnight Monday, security officials said they arrested 11 wanted security suspects in other areas 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 on their activities by security forces.

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