IDF releases photos from manhunt for Ariel terrorist

The security operation was carried out by the Shin Bet, the IDF and the Yamam special unit. Special technology was used to locate and identify him.

MARCH 20, 2019 11:06

IDF manhunt for Ariel terrorist (March 20, 2019)

The IDF has released photos and video from the manhunt for Omar Abu Lila, the terrorist who carried out the deadly terror attacks near Ariel in the West Bank.

Late Tuesday night, the IDF closed in on Abu Lila, 19, in the Palestinian village of Abwain, near Ramallah.

Manhunt for Ariel terrorist (IDF SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE)

Abu Lila shot at IDF soldiers during his attempted arrest. He was killed in an exchange of fire. No soldiers were reported to be injured during the incident.

The security operation was carried out by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the IDF and the Yamam special police unit. Special technology was used to locate and identify him.

The shootout in Abwain comes after an intense two-day manhunt for the Palestinian terrorist. On Sunday, he shot at Israelis at both the Ariel junction and the Gitai Avishar junction and fled the scene.

Abu Lila had stolen a vehicle and drove to the nearby Gitai Avishar junction on Sunday, where he started shooting.

One civilian, Rabbi Ahiad Ettinger, 47, was the father of 12 and was severely injured when trying to stop Abu Lila. He succumbed to his wounds on Monday.

Just before Ettinger was shot, he was able to recognize that he was in the middle of an attack, drew his gun and shot at the terrorist a number of times, his son-in-law Ze'ev Goldstein said.

Gal Keidan, 19, a soldier guarding the Ariel junction, was killed at the scene and buried in his hometown of Beersheba on Monday morning.