West Bank vehicular terror attack suspect surrenders, Israeli security forces say

Ma'an News Agency reports that Israeli intelligence believes Hammam Masalma, from Beit Awwa, behind attack which wounded 3 IDF soldiers, 4 of his relatives arrested.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Emergency team at the scene of a hit and run at Gush Etzion junction. (photo credit: HAR HEVRON SPOKESMAN)
Emergency team at the scene of a hit and run at Gush Etzion junction.
(photo credit: HAR HEVRON SPOKESMAN)
The suspected Palestinian terrorist who rammed into three IDF soldiers with his speeding van near an army post just outside of the West Bank village of El Arub on Wednesday turned himself in to security forces, the IDF spokesperson said on Thursday. The man is being interrogated, as an alleged accomplice.
“The IDF will continue to act without hesitation to thwart terrorism and maintain security in Judea and Samaria,” the army said in a statement.
“Following yesterday’s vehicular attack, the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) worked to locate those involved,” the Shin Bet said in a statement.
West Bank vehicular terror attack
“As part of these efforts, a Palestinian from the Hebron region was arrested for suspected involvement in the attack. An accomplice, also a Palestinian from Hebron, surrendered this morning to the security forces. The two men have been taken in for questioning by the Shin Bet.”
Hours earlier, the IDF raided the home of the man who they believe is responsible for the vehicular terror attack which wounded three soldiers in the West Bank on Wednesday night, the Bethlehem-based Ma'an News Agency reported.
According to the report, Israeli intelligence suspect that Hammam Masalma, from the southern West Bank town of Beit Awwa was behind Wednesday night's attack.
During the raid of Masalma's home in Beit Awwa early Thursday morning, Israeli forces arrested four of his relatives, however the suspect himself was not at home and remains at large, Ma'an reported.
A freight truck with Palestinian license plates hit the three IDF soldiers, wounding one seriously and two moderately in what the army said was a terror attack.
The perpetrating vehicle fled the scene immediately after the attack, and security forces set up roadblocks and launched searches of the area of the southern West Bank.
IDF troops found the white van used in the attack on Wednesday night.
Ma'an quoted Israeli police sources as saying they identified Masalma as the attacker from the vehicle registration data.