An alert civilian security guard prevented a stabbing attack Wednesday afternoon in the city of Maaleh Adumim. The guard, who was stationed just outside the city, detained a Palestinian Authority Arab man who aroused his suspicion.
Upon realizing that he was unlikely to gain access to the city, the Arab man withdrew a knife and attempted to stab the guard. The guard managed to overpower his attacker, and was not hurt.
Police were called to the scene, and arrested the attacker, who was taken in for questioning.
The suspect is from the Arab village of Azariya, police said. In an initial investigation, he reported that he planned the attack in hopes of being arrested following an argument with his family.
A similar attack was prevented Tuesday night, when two PA Arab men carrying knives were arrested at the Atarot crossing. The two told investigators that they had planned to stab IDF soldiers in the area.
On Wednesday morning, rock attacks were reported in both Judea and Samaria. One took place outside the village of Beit Omer, near Hevron. The attack caused damage to an Israeli vehicle, but the passengers were not hurt.
Israeli motorists also came under attack near Huwarra, outside the Samarian city of Shechem, as well. Damage was reported, but the attackers failed to cause injury.