Cell indicted for alleged failed attack in W. Bank

Military court indicts six men from Beit Fajar for shooting attack in Gush Etzion; Shin Bet say group was planning further attacks.

By BEN HARTMAN
IDF soldiers prevent stabbing at Gush Etzion Junction 311 (photo credit: IDF Spokesman's Office)
IDF soldiers prevent stabbing at Gush Etzion Junction 311
(photo credit: IDF Spokesman's Office)
A group of six men from the West Bank village of Beit Fajar were indicted in a military court earlier this month for their role in a shooting attack in Gush Etzion last November, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) cleared for publication on Monday.
During the shooting, the alleged gunman, Alaa Muhammad Shukri Takatka, 23, opened fire on a bus leaving the settlement of Migdal Oz, as well as at buildings in the settlement and Israeli security forces nearby, the Shin Bet said in a press release on Monday. No one was hurt in the shooting, but the security agency said that there was some damage caused to the bus.
The Shin Bet said the group was also planning other attacks before they were caught.
The six suspects are all members of the same clan from the village of Beit Fajar outside Bethlehem, and include Fatah members.
The cell includes the alleged gunman, the driver, Amad Ayad Omer Takatka, 20, and lookouts Osama Muhammad Abed al-Rahman Takatka, 21, Nadal Ravhi Taleb Takatka, 34, Muhammad Ziad Muhammed Takatka, 22, and Muhammad Yosef Ahmad Takatka, 21, who was also employed as part of the Palestinian Authority’s presidential guard.
The men were arrested shortly after the shooting attempt, in a joint operation involving the Shin Bet, the IDF and police from the Judea and Samaria sub-district.
On January 13 they were indicted by a military court on charges including attempted first degree murder and membership in a banned organization.