Police storm bus in Gush Dan, arrest four Palestinian terrorist suspects

Tel Aviv police arrested four Palestinians suspected of being involved in terrorism in a dramatic raid on a bus on Sunday morning, ending an hour of tension caused by a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) terror alert issued for Holon and Bat Yam. Border policemen with face masks and guns drawn stormed the No. 43 bus, arresting the four who are said to have entered the country illegally from the West Bank. The suspects were being interrogated by security forces, the Shin Bet said, adding that none were armed with an explosives belt. The counterterrorism operation was backed by a police helicopter hovering overhead, and was directly overseen by Tel Aviv District Police Chief Cmdr. Ilan Franco. Earlier, police closed the busy lanes of the Ayalon Highway to traffic near Bat Yam, as security forces attempted to track down the suspects. Several road blocks were also erected, stretching from Bat Yam to Rishon Lezion. Last week, police went on heightened alert for the Purim holiday season. Officers increased their presence in city centers in response to a number of terror alerts.