IDF arrests Palestinians suspected of aiding Elad, Ariel terrorists

Some of the suspects were residents of Rummanah, the hometown of the two terrorists arrested by Israeli security forces who were caught on Sunday morning.

 IDF conducts arrests in the West Bank, May 9, 2022 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF conducts arrests in the West Bank, May 9, 2022
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The IDF operated throughout the West Bank on Monday morning, including in Rummanah, the hometown of the two terrorists who killed three men in Elad on Thursday, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

Two Palestinians suspected of assisting the terrorists were arrested in the West Bank town. Another two Palestinians suspected of aiding the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack in Ariel at the end of April – in which a guard at the entrance of the settlement was murdered – were arrested overnight in the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan, near Salfit.

Israeli security forces also arrested terrorism suspects in Balata, Aida, Bayt Rima, Al-Walaja, Bil'in, Azzoun, Qatanna and Hizma overnight.

In total, 15 suspects were arrested by Israeli security forces in the West Bank on Monday morning.

The two Elad terrorists were captured by Israeli forces on Sunday morning. Later in the day, the army mapped their homes in preparation for their demolition.

IDF conducts arrests in West Bank, May 9, 2022 (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Additionally on Monday morning, a suspected price-tag attack was reported in the town of Jisr e-Zarka, after graffiti was sprayed on walls and cars and 17 vehicles were vandalized, according to police.

The graffiti on the wall read "Jews wake up" next to a Star of David. Photos shared on social media reportedly from the scene showed the tires of the vehicles slashed.

In a letter to Israel Police and Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev, the Tag Meir organization stressed that the security establishment's response to such attacks has been "weak and insufficient" and that offenders are rarely caught and prosecuted.

"The absence of firm and decisive action by law enforcement against the perpetrators of price-tag attacks conveys a serious message of 'no law, no judge,'" wrote Tag Meir, calling for police to make eradicating price-tag attacks a priority. The organization warned that if the phenomenon was allowed to continue unchecked, it would only intensify and could "very soon cost human lives."

Tag Meir (illuminating tag) is an umbrella organization fighting racism, including price-tag (tag mechir) attacks.

The organization stressed that a similar letter it sent to police in March remained unanswered.