An armed terrorist cell was arrested on Saturday night in Nablus as it was on its way to carry out an attack, the police announced on Sunday.
Two suspects were arrested in the joint Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Israel Police, the Counterterrorism Unit (Yamam), and the IDF operation. Both were from the northern West Bank town of Kabatiya, near Jenin.
They were identified as Ahmed Zakharna, 21, and Tariq Abu Zeid, 25, and are affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
They were arrested in their vehicle while in possession of two loaded and ready-to-fire M16 rifles, vests, face masks, and a large amount of ammunition.
Their initial interrogation by the Shin Bet indicated that they left Jenin and were on their way to carry out a shooting attack. The interrogation is still ongoing.
Eight wanted people from Kabatiya were arrested on Saturday during a large joint counterterrorism operation by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police, which lasted over 12 hours.
Katz's threat
Defense Minister Israel Katz visited IDF and Border Police units in the West Bank following the operations and told them, “Anyone who deals in Gaza-style terror will be dealt with like in Gaza.”
In nearby Jenin, the Palestinian Authority has been conducting military operations in the stronghold city against terrorist groups, like those affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Lions’ Den.