Woman nabbed on suspicion of planning knife attack

Suspect tells police during questioning that she was sent to carry out a stabbing attack; arrested near W. Bank settlement Emmanuel.

By BEN HARTMAN
police arrest handcuffs suspect cops criminal 311 (R) (photo credit: Benoit Tessier / Reuters)
police arrest handcuffs suspect cops criminal 311 (R)
(photo credit: Benoit Tessier / Reuters)
West Bank police on Tuesday arrested a woman carrying a large knife, who they believe was on her way to carry out a stabbing attack.
Police said the woman, who was arrested near the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel, told them during questioning that she was sent to carry out a stabbing attack. Police said they aren't sure who sent her or if she decided on her own to carry out an attack due to personal or family motives. The investigation is now in the hands of the Shin Bet General Security Service, police added.
The suspect is a 32-year-old Palestinian resident of the West Bank village Habela Zohata, police said.
According to West Bank Police Spokeswoman Nurit Tzemah, police have increased patrols throughout the cities and towns of Judea and Samaria in order to prevent any sort of violent incidents from disrupting the Purim celebrations that begin Thursday.
She clarified however that police in the West Bank have not received any specific warnings about terror attacks planned during the holiday.