Security forces map house of accomplice in Damascus Gate attack for demolition

Abu Zied helped to carry out the attack at the Damscus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City in which Border Police Cpl. Hadar Cohen was killed at the beginning of February.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Police Corporal Hadar Cohen, 19 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Police Corporal Hadar Cohen, 19
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The IDF and civil administration mapped out the home of terrorist Bilal Ahmed Abu Zeid for demolition in an overnight operation in Kabatiya in the Jenin area. 
Abu Zied helped to carry out the attack at the Damscus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City in which Border Police Cpl. Hadar Cohen was killed at the beginning of February.
Cohen, 19, died of her wounds sustained in an attack at Damascus Gate by three Arab terrorists wielding machine guns, pipe bombs and knives. Her unidentified partner was seriously wounded and underwent emergency surgery at the Hadassah-University Medical Center at Mount Scopus.
All three assailants were shot dead at the scene. Their explosives did not detonate and were later neutralized by a police bomb disposal team.
Hamas “welcomed” the terrorist attack at the time, saying it constituted a “severe blow” to Israeli security measures.
Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran praised the terrorists as “heroes,” noting that they had managed to travel from Jenin to Jerusalem, despite IDF checkpoints and security measures.
“This and other operations affirm our people’s determination to continue the intifada despite all the obstacles,” Badran said in a statement. “This operation carries a clear message to the occupation that the ongoing aggression on al-Aksa Mosque wouldn’t pass without a real response.”
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist group also applauded the attack and called on the PA to halt security coordination with Israel.
“This operation underscores the political and security failure of the occupation in Jerusalem,” the PFLP said. “It comes in the context of the continued resistance to end the occupation and expel the settlers from our land.”
Daniel K. Eisenbud, Kahled Abu Toameh and Ben Hartman contributed to this report.