The 16-year-old terrorist who stabbed and moderately wounded Elchanan Hanania on Sunday morning was captured following a manhunt by IDF forces.
“The suspect’s arrest was made possible through intelligence guidance and IDF and ISA capabilities employed as part of the manhunt. The security forces will continue to close the circle and act against every terrorist who harms or attempts to harm citizens of the State of Israel and IDF troops. The suspect was transferred for further questioning by the security forces," the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.
Hanania, a 24-year-old career serviceman, was traveling with his family to celebrate his wedding anniversary on vacation in Tiberias. The terrorist ambushed him near a store in the village of al-Auja as he was returning to his vehicle, where his wife and children were waiting, attacked him from behind, and stabbed him several times.
The terrorist fled the scene, and large numbers of security forces launched searches and an extensive manhunt to apprehend him. He was ultimately located in his village.
Hanania’s two brothers, Yosef and Shlomo, said at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem that Elhanan had taken leave from his base to go on vacation.
“They stopped to buy cigarettes, and when he returned to the car, the terrorist was there waiting for him. When he saw that my brother had turned his back to him, he jumped on him and stabbed him three times in the shoulder and twice in the back. He fought with him.
“He was terrified for the children. His wife was screaming as well. His father-in-law, who was in the car, got out, and the terrorist fled. His oldest daughter saw everything that happened."