Terrorist's family: He was Yeshiva's driver

Family of attacker erect mourning tent, hang Hamas flags in east Jerusalem village of Jabel Mukaber.

Mercaz Harav library 224 (photo credit: AP)
Mercaz Harav library 224
(photo credit: AP)
The family of the terrorist who killed eight students in a terror attack on Mercaz Harav Yeshiva Thursday night say he used to work as a driver at the institution, but police have denied their claim. Defense officials said the attacker came from east Jerusalem, home to Palestinians who hold Israeli ID cards that allow them freedom of movement. His family set up a mourning tent Friday and hung green Hamas flags outside their home. They claimed that Abu Dhein was arrested by defense forces four months ago and then released two months later. The residents would not give their names because the family had not authorized them to release the information. On Friday morning, Jerusalem Police Chief Cmdr. Aharon Franco said that during overnight searches, police had found a car they believed was used by the terrorist. Franco said that it was the car the attacker worked with on a regular basis, estimating that it was the vehicle he used to travel to central Jerusalem to perpetrate the attack. A search in the car revealed ammunition and a number of other items and defense forces were conducting further checks on the vehicle.