Security forces arrested a driver and nine passengers on Route 6 near the Ben Shemen interchange after authorities suspected they were planning a terror bombing attack on Monday.
The suspicious vehicle, traveling from Jerusalem toward central Israel, was pursued by police until it was stopped near the Kassam interchange on Route 6.
A police bomb technician is currently conducting a search of the vehicle to determine if explosives are present.
It was cleared for publication last night that the police and Shin Bet thwarted a combined attack planned by a resident of East Jerusalem during Ramadan.
Over the past month, Shin Bet and the Jerusalem District Central Unit launched an investigation into the suspect, a man in his 20s from the Shuafat refugee camp. He is suspected of planning various types of attacks, including planting a pipe bomb in several locations across the city or executing a combined attack involving both running over and stabbing civilians or security forces.
Expanded counter-terror operations in Jerusalem
Around a month ago, detectives from the Jerusalem District arrested the suspect with assistance from Shin Bet. His interrogation revealed that he had planned to plant explosives on the Jerusalem light rail, on a bus, or in a restaurant in the southern part of the city.
He had already made significant progress on these plans, including learning how to make explosives. At one point, he purchased pipes, matchboxes, firecrackers, and other materials to construct pipe bombs.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had shifted his focus to carrying out a combined attack involving running over and stabbing. To implement this plan, he began taking driving lessons and purchased large knives. Just days before Ramadan, he decided to carry out the attack at a bus station at a central intersection in Jerusalem. Along with his driving lessons, he also planned to purchase a car.