Security forces arrest Palestinian suspected of wearing explosive belt near Jenin

Police sappers determine that device is not explosive after suicide bomber scare.

Palestinians wait to cross into Israel at Jalama crossing near Jenin  (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinians wait to cross into Israel at Jalama crossing near Jenin
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Defense Ministry personnel arrested a suspicious Palestinian at the Jalama crossing near Jenin in the West Bank on  Sunday.
The man was wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt, raising suspicions that he was a potential suicide bomber.  However, police sappers called to the scene determined that the device the suspect was wearing was not explosive.
In recent months a number of attempts have been made to carry out terror attacks at crossings and checkpoints leading from the West Bank into Israel, as well as against Israelis in the West Bank.
Earlier this month, Border Police officers arrested two Palestinian men at the Tapuah junction in Samaria who were carrying pipe bombs and an improvised pistol, police said.
According to the Border Police, the two men “appeared suspicious” and when they were approached by officers at a bus stop at the checkpoint one of them pulled a pistol. He was overpowered and arrested along with his partner. The two were then searched and found to be carrying three explosive devices and two knives. The Border Police said the officers prevented a “major terrorist attack.”
Ben Hartman and Daniel K. Eisenbud contributed to this report.