33 security suspects arrested in wide West bank sweep; Shin Bet arrest alleged bomb throwers

Additional arrests made in Hebron and two surrounding villages.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Updated: OCTOBER 13, 2015 01:25
A Palestinian uses a slingshot to throw stones towards Israeli security forces during clashes in Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah (photo credit: ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)
A Palestinian uses a slingshot to throw stones towards Israeli security forces during clashes in Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah
(photo credit: ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)
The IDF conducted a wide arrest sweep in the West Bank early on Monday, arresting 33 Palestinian security suspects. Of those, 19 allegedly took part in unorganized violence and rioting targeting Israeli civilians and security forces.
Ten Hamas members were arrested in Silwad, northeast of Ramallah by the Binyamin territorial brigade, and three additional Hamas members were arrested in Mizra Al-Kabaliya, northeast of Ramallah. Additional arrests occurred in Hebron and two surrounding villages.
Also on Monday, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said it arrested three suspects on suspicion of hurling an explosive device at the Panorama IDF position near Har Gilo on August 19, an attack in which an IDF soldier guarding the gate to the position lost an eye.
In a joint operation with the IDF and Israel Police, the Shin Bet arrested 18-year-old suspect As’ad Salah Asa’ad, a resident of the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem, and two minors, who cannot be identified, and who live in the same area.
“The three confessed to carrying out the attack during questioning by the Shin Bet,” the agency said in a statement. “They also confessed to carrying out an additional attack, which included the production of pipe bombs and throwing them.”
The case material has been transferred to the Judea Military Court, where the three will be charged.
The Shin Bet said security forces are investing many resources to combat unorganized terrorist attacks, with a particular focus on regions that have experienced attacks on Israeli civilians and security forces.