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Itongadol.- A suspected terrorist attempted to stab a Border Policeman at Tapuah Junction near Nablus Wednesday afternoon before Israeli security forces apprehended the perpetrator.
According to a police report, the suspect in question approached the Tapuah Junction checkpoint and went through a routine inspection by security personnel. During the inspection, Israeli security forces became suspicious after the suspect failed to follow their instructions. At that point, security officials say, the suspect pulled a dagger from his trousers and tried to stab a Border Police officer.
The report went on to say that the soldier reacted immediately by cocking his weapon, at which point the suspect abandoned his dagger and attempted to flee. Border Police apprehended the suspect and took him in for questioning.
During his interrogation, the suspect admitted that he planned on carrying out a terrorist attack.
Police said that a major incident was avoided because "of the quick action" of the Border Policeman, adding that "due to the preparedness and vigilance of security forces… the incident was dealt with in a matter of seconds" which helped protect innocent lives.
Tension have been high in Israel, especially since the start of Rosh Hashana, after violence engulfed the Temple Mount and the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, following the Defense Ministry’s decree last week outlawing violent Islamist radical groups from entering the contested holy site.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that five Border Police officers were lightly wounded by rocks, firecrackers and pipe bombs thrown by masked Palestinian youths Tuesday morning shortly after visiting hours commenced at 7:45 a.m.
“For the third straight day Arabs rioted and attempted to attack police and visitors when visiting hours for non-Muslims began in the morning,” said Rosenfeld. “Police used non-lethal stun grenades to disperse the rioters, who fled into Al-Aksa Mosque, which police did not enter.”
After the mob was contained in the mosque, Rosenfeld said visiting hours for Jews and other non-Muslims resumed until 11 a.m. without further incident.
The wounded officers were treated at the scene by Magen David Adom paramedics, he said.