Shin Bet: Horgen murderer ‘wanted to avenge Palestinian prisoner’s death’
The name of the suspect is Mohammad Maroh Kabaha, a 40-year-old resident of the village of a-Tura near Jenin.
By UDI SHAHAMMohammad Maroh Kabaha, the suspect behind the murder of Esther Horgen.(photo credit: SHIN BET)
The Palestinian alleged to have murdered Esther Horgen in the northern West Bank last month did it to avenge the death of a friend who died in prison, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said on Monday.The name of the suspect is Mohammad Maroh Kabaha, a 40-year-old resident of the village of a-Tura near Jenin.Kabaha has served time in prison for terror-related activities.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also lauded the security services and said that "we will be strict in our judgment of him", adding that Israel will seek all those who aided him too."Let all those who wish us harm know," Netanyahu said, "Israel's long reach will get to them anyplace, anytime."Along with Kabaha, four more suspects were arrested, suspected of helping him hide from the Israeli security forces who were looking for him after the attack.The Shin Bet added that during his interrogation, Kabaha said that he planned the attack some six weeks in advance. One reason was to avenge the death of his friend Camal Abu Wae’r – a Palestinian prisoner who fell sick and died in jail.Looking for a place to carry out an attack, Kabaha went through a hole in the security barrier, and found that Israelis walk in the Reihan forest.On December 20, smuggling cigarettes in the forest near the fence, he spotted an Israeli woman walking alone, and murdered her, a Shin Bet statement reads.After the attack, he fled and found refuge in the village of Deir el-Ghusun.
The investigation into the case continues, and at the end of it, Kabaha is expected to go on trial in the military court of Samaria.The Shin Bet added that “the security forces will keep acting with determination in order to thwart terror attacks and going after those who are involved in such actions.”In a cabinet meeting on Monday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz thanked the Shin Bet, IDF and the police for catching the suspect."We need to keep battling terrorism in each and every front, and at the same time, we must improve our security infrastructures in the IDF – and especially in those in Judea and Samaria," Gantz said."There are many things that still can be done, and I hope that we could find the resources for that," he said.
