
An IDF reserves force arrested five Palestinian Authority Arabs on Sunday evening near the Jewish town of Elon Moreh. Soldiers stopped the group for suspicious behavior. A search revealed that they were carrying two makeshift weapons, two firebombs, and one knife. The five, who are thought to have been on their way to commit a terrorist attack, were taken into custody and will be questioned.
Residents of Elon Moreh explained that the five Arabs were caught after they burned tires on the road between Elon Moreh and Itamar.
Gershon Mesika, head of the Shomron Regional Council and himself a resident of Elon Moreh, said after the five were caught: "We are proud of of IDF warriors and officers who fight terrorism day and night for all of the country's residents."
Meskia added that "the government's conduct, removing barriers and applying relief to PA terrorists who are called 'police', is a game of roulette by the state with its citizens. This incident could have ended badly. The government should learn from the IDF what is determination in fighting terrorism."
Terrorists have murdered several Israelis in Judea and Samaria by infiltrating communities and opening fire, or stabbing passersby. In 2008, a 9-year-old boy was stabbed by a terrorist who infiltrated the Samaria town of Yitzhar.
In April 2009, 13-year-old Shlomo Nativ of Bat Ayin was murdered by a terrorist who managed to enter the town with an ax and began attacking a group of children at play. A 7-year-old child was seriously wounded in the same attack.