Firebomb explosion (illustrative)
Firebomb explosion (illustrative)Flash 90

A Palestinian Authority Arab has been arrested in connection with firebomb attacks on Jews and IDF patrols that left four soldiers wounded in May.

IDF forces have arrested a Palestinian Authority Arab in a joint operation with Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) in connection with firebombing (Molotov cocktail) and other terror attacks on Jews and IDF soldiers. The campaign of terror was carried out during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, on May 15.

The suspect, a resident of Judea, admitted under interrogation that he carried out the firebombing attack that wounded four soldiers on that date, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement. He also confessed to participating in rock attacks and other terrorist activities in the area of Dura, southwest of Hevron.

More than 10 suspects were arrested and confessed to participating in firebombing and rock attacks as well as other violent riots in the area, security officials said. Indictments against the suspects were filed with the IDF military court in Judea.

IDF soldiers regularly come under attack by PA Arabs as they patrol Judea and Samaria to maintain safety on the roads and around Jewish communities in the regions.

Last week, PA Arabs hurled a firebomb at an IDF unit patrolling near the PA-controlled Samaria (Shomron) city of Jenin. No injuries were reported, and soldiers were ordered to scan the area to find the perpetrators. 

Attackers also hurled firebombs in attacks on Israeli motorists on the roads of Samaria three weeks ago at the Gilboa crossing, north of Jenin, and next to the Jewish community of Opharim, near the Arab village of Dier Abu Masha’al, just north of the PA government’s capital of Ramallah.

Security improvements

Nevertheless, in a meeting with the heads of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria less than two weeks ago, IDF Central Command chief Nitzan Alon commented that in recent weeks there has been a sharp drop in the number of Arab road terror attacks aimed at Israeli drivers.

IDF soldiers have been given orders to increase their response to road terror attacks by Arabs, he said.

A member of the Council of Jewish Communities of Judea and Samaria confirmed the report, and said there has indeed been some improvement in the security situation in the region, and thanked the IDF for its efforts.