The Judea and Samaria District Police Hetz Yehuda Unit, together with soldiers from the Etzion Brigade, thwarted a cell of young terrorists that operated in recent weeks in the Bethlehem area.
The Palestinian Arab suspects, ages 13 to 18, were arrested following precise intelligence from the unit's coordinator, after they were identified throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at a main road leading to Jerusalem.
The investigation uncovered the group's surprisingly inexpensive and locally-based method. The suspects rented electric scooters in Bethlehem for just ten shekels an hour. They rode quickly to the nearby Beit Jala area, near the wall that overlooks the Tunnels Road (Route 60), and from there, they threw Molotov cocktails and rocks over the wall directly at vehicles traveling to the capital.
The cell committed the attacks in at least three different instances. Following the precise intelligence, officers from the Hetz unit raided the home of the first suspect on Tuesday. His interrogation led the officers to the remaining cell members, who were arrested on Wednesday in a joint operation with IDF forces.
During the day, the police will ask the court to extend their detention.