Border Police forces operating around Jerusalem arrested a key suspect overnight Monday into Tuesday in the firebombing of Rachel’s Tomb compound. The arrest comes about a week after the serious incident, in which explosives were thrown at the holy site, posing a real danger to the lives of civilians and the many worshippers who visit the compound daily.
According to police, the operational activity took place in the heart of Aida camp near Bethlehem. Border Police forces arrived at the suspect’s home in a targeted operation, located him, and arrested him. The arrest was carried out without unusual incidents and the suspect was taken from the scene for further handling by security officials.
The arrested suspect is a 17-year-old Arab youth, a resident of Aida. After his initial arrest by Border Police fighters, he was transferred directly to investigators from the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency. The Shin Bet will now attempt to exhaust the investigation with him and understand whether he acted alone or as part of a broader terror organization.