A joint operation involving police, IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) forces succeeded in nabbing more than a dozen terrorists responsible for a series of rock and molotov cocktail attacks against Israeli motorists along Route 443.
The terror cell was made up of more than 16 terrorists in all, and was based in the Arab village of Kharbatha al-Misbah, which lies just east of Modiin along Route 443.
While the string of attacks did not succeed in injuring any civilians, they did manage to damage a number of vehicles traveling along the busy road.
Some of the terror cell members have served time in Israeli prison for previous terrorism offenses. Under Shin Bet interrogation, they admitted to taking part in attacks against both civilian vehicles and IDF forces stationed near the village.
Two of the cell members specifically - Suhib Yousef Masalah and Bilal Abed Kasbah - coordinated a series of organized firebomb attacks as part of the group's activities.