Murdered in cold blood: Danny Gonen
Murdered in cold blood: Danny GonenCourtesy of the family

Israeli security forces have arrested the terrorist behind the cold-blooded murder of Israeli hiker Danny Gonen last month, along with several suspected accomplices.

The attack in the Binyamin region north of Jerusalem, which also left a fellow hiker seriously wounded, is believed to be one of a series carried out by an organized terrorist cell operating in the area.

Watch: IDF nighttime raid nets terrorist:

Gonen's murder was noted for its particularly cold-blooded nature; his killer lured the unsuspecting hikers over by asking for water, and then gunned them down at point-blank range.

It has also been revealed that the murderer and apparent mastermind of the terror cell is on the payroll of the Palestinian Authority. In addition, one of the cell members was among more than 1,000 terrorists released in the 2011 Shalit Deal with Hamas.

The suspects also admitted to having carried out several shooting attacks against IDF soldiers stationed at the Kalandia checkpoint near Jerusalem prior to the murder. They also said they spent time immediately before the attack scoping out the natural spring where Gonen and his companion were eventually murdered, with the express intention of finding Israelis to kill.

Security forces also seized several weapons during the course of the investigation, including what is believed to be the gun used to shoot Gonen.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu praised the work of security forces in arresting Gonen's killer.

"On the day of the murder, I said that we would catch the reprehensible and abhorrent murderer and the ISA and IDF did so in a short time," Netanyahu said.

"Now that it becomes clear that this was a Palestinian Authority man it will be interesting to see if the Palestinian Authority condemns the murder or continues its silence. Those who do not attack terrorism will, in the end, be attacked by it."