The IDF manhunt for the terrorist responsible for Sunday's attack at the Ariel Junction continued overnight on Tuesday as Israeli forces conducted searches across villages in the Qalqilya district of the West Bank.
The army said on Tuesday morning that it had searched the Palestinian village of Az-Zawiya in a bid to find and capture 20-year-old Omar Abu Lila – the terrorist wanted for murdering 19-year-old IDF Staff Sgt. Gal Keidan and 47-year-old father of 12, Rabbi Achiad Ettinger.
Soldier wounded in Ariel shooting is in stable country, March 19, 2019 (Courtesy Beilinson)
“Security forces continue in their pursuit of the terrorist who conducted the attack at the Ariel Junction and the Gitai Avishar Junction earlier this week,” the IDF said in a statement. “Overnight, troops searched the area of the village of Az-Zawiya, southeast of Qalqilya.”
Meanwhile, a second 19-year-old soldier who was critically wounded in the attack is out of "immediate mortal danger," Beilinson Hospital said on Tuesday morning.
For two days following the attack, he was listed as in critical condition. However, Beilinson Hospital confirmed that although he still remains in the intensive care unit, he is out of immediate mortal danger.
"He is conscious, breathing on his own and talking to staff. His condition still remains serious," the hospital said.
Also overnight on Tuesday, IDF forces and Israel Border Police found illegal weapons during searches in Nablus and in the village of Azmut in the area of the Samaria Regional Brigade. The soldiers and border police seized Carlo type weapons, a pistol and two other weapons.
In addition, IDF forces arrested 15 Palestinians overnight on Tuesday who are suspected of being involved in terrorist activities, popular terrorism and violent disturbances against civilians and security forces.
The suspects were transferred for questioning.
