BY TZVI BEN GEDALYAHU, ARUTZ SHEVA—
Israeli soldiers foiled an attempted Arab terrorist attack on Jewish visitors on Purim in Hevron Sunday. The terrorist, described as being in his 20s, was carrying a three-inch knife when arrested, and he admitted to security officials that he intended to stab Jews at the Cave of the Patriarchs (Ma’arat HaMachpelah).
The IDF deployed an unusually high number of soldiers and check points throughout Judea and Samaria on Purim, when a general closure is imposed on Arab travel, except for cases of humanitarian need.
In Gaza, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said it attacked the western Negev with mortar fire Monday morning, adding the “resistance will continue to confront the Israeli occupation.”
Hamas and allied terrorists fired approximately 50 mortars on the Negev on Saturday, the largest offensive since the Operation Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign two years ago.
On Saturday, according to Israeli police, 49 projectiles were launched toward Israel.
Elsewhere, police are investigating a Palestinian Authority claim an Arab was stabbed Monday morning by a resident of the Maon Farm in the southern Hevron Hills. One security officer in the area said, although the claim might be true, it would be highly unusual because Jews generally do not carry knives, the favorite weapon of Arab terrorists.
He said there have been cases whereby Arabs have inflicted wounds on themselves and subsequently accused Jews of attacking them.