Officers from the Judea and Samaria District Police Hetz Yehuda operations branch have arrested a 70-year-old Palestinian Arab cleric for allegedly spreading severe incitement against Israel and encouraging terror attacks.
The forces deployed only 200 meters from the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Judaism's second holiest site. At the same time, 14,000 worshipers were in the complex, under extensive security, which included hundreds of police officers, Border Police officers, IDF forces, and volunteers from the Yehuda Region Rapid Response Unit.
The operation was launched after a coordinated intelligence effort by the Judea and Samaria District's Web and Incitement Detection command center and Central Command monitoring units, which monitor inflammatory content on the internet.
The initial investigation found that the suspect acted over a long period of time on social media to encourage acts of terrorism, disorder, and violence throughout Judea and Samaria.
While searching the suspect's home, forces seized his mobile phone and laptop. All evidence was taken to the police station for further investigation.