Soldiers at the Beit Iba checkpoint northwest of Shechem foiled a potentially deadly attack on Thursday. An Arab who had approached the checkpoint pulled a knife on a female soldier. Other soldiers quickly wrestled the attacker to the ground, and his intended victim was unhurt.
Soldiers searched the attacker and found a pipe bomb and bullets. The bomb was destroyed in a controlled explosion, and the attacker was arrested and taken in for questioning.
A second armed Arab was arrested at the Huwarra checkpoint south of Shechem. The man was detained after soldiers found a knife on his person during a routine search.
Two border police officers were lightly wounded on Thursday afternoon near the village of Naalin. The village has been the site of frequent violent riots against the construction of the Judea and Samaria separation barrier, and leftist extremists from Israel and abroad have also attempted to make political capital out of the olive harvest for Palestinian Authority Arabs.
The wounded officers were taken to Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem for treatment. A third officer received light injuries as well, but did not require hospital care.
Residents of Judea and Samaria reported multiple firebombing and rock attacks on motorists. Such attacks have become increasingly frequent in recent months.
Firebombings were reported near Hevron and near the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. Stonings were reported near Hevron, on the Hevron-Gush Etzion highway, and near Hizme, just outside Jerusalem. A bus was damaged in the Hizme attack. No injuries were reported.
Attacks continued from Gaza as well. Terrorists fired a rocket that slammed into the Shaar HaNegev region in the afternoon. Terrorists also opened fire on troops near the Karni crossing and fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) that exploded near the Gaza security barrier. No soldiers were hurt.