Arab brandishes a knife (illustration)
Arab brandishes a knife (illustration)Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90

Alert residents reported to Border Police officers patrolling the southeastern Nof Tzion neighborhood of Jerusalem on Friday morning about a suspicious Arab man, who was conducting surveillance on Jewish homes in the neighborhood.

The combat soldiers approached the site, where they came upon an Arab man with his right hand hidden behind his back.

Keeping a safe distance, the soldiers ordered the suspect to put his hands out. He complied - but kept his right hand balled in a fist.

Upon being ordered to open his hand, the suspect refused and asked them to come with him to his home in the adjacent Jabel Mukaber neighborhood.

The officers demanded to search him, keeping their eyes on his fist.

In a sudden movement, one of the soldiers leaped on the Arab and grabbed his hand. They gained control over him, and found a knife hidden in his sleeve.

The 21-year-old would be terrorist was brought in for investigation, where he admitted to arriving in the neighborhood to stab Jews.

Command Sgt. Maj. Eyal Ben-Simon, commander of the investigative unit the soldiers were attached to, said, "we are intensifying a variety of operations in Jerusalem for the security of the citizens."

"The firm actions of the team along with the alertness of the residents prevented the possibility of a stabbing attack," he continued. "We continue to act professionally and with firmness for the security of all citizens and visitors to the capital city."