After a massive 60-hour manhunt, Israeli forces apprehended the two Palestinian Muslim terrorists, identified as 19-year-old As’ad Alrafa’ani and 20-year-old Sabhi abu Shakir, who savagely murdered three Israeli civilians and injured seven others in Elad, a predominately Orthodox Jewish city.
Jerusalem Post The terrorist duo, who Palestinian terror groups cheered as their “heroes,” were caught hiding under a bush outside Elad, Israeli news reports suggest. “IDF, Shin Bet and Israel Police say in a joint statement As’ad Alrafa’ani and Sabhi Abu Shakir were caught hiding behind a bush in a quarry near Elad,” the Israeli media outlet Ynet reported.
Their victims were identified as 44-year-old Yonatan Havakuk, 49-year Boaz Gol, and 35-year-old Oren Ben Yiftah. “Havavuk and Gol were residents of Elad and each fathers of five. Yiftah was a resident of Lod and a father of six,” the Israeli TV channel i24News noted. Two other victims were no longer in life-threatening condition, the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva said Saturday.
They were located after a massive manhunt by security forces, including special forces from IDF commando units, and using advanced technologies, intelligence, canine units, drones and helicopters. The terrorists were unarmed, but the axes used in the attack were later found by security forces.
A force consisting of Shin Bet agents and soldiers from the IDF’s Maglan commando unit and Mirol reserve unit identified suspicious objects and bloodstains in the area on Saturday, which led security forces to concentrate around a quarry. They returned to the area on Sunday morning, identified suspicious movement and arrested the two suspects.
At the opening of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett extended his condolences to the families of the three victims and thanked the security forces for capturing the terrorists. “We said we would get our hands on the terrorists, and so we did,” he said, adding that nevertheless, the capture of terrorists was no longer sufficient.”
“We are at the beginning of a new stage in the war on terrorism,” he said. “It is impossible to incite and rest. You cannot throw a match and run away… “the greatest task of the Israeli government is to restore personal security to the citizens of Israel.”
According to Israel Police Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai, “We said we would not be quiet or rest until we put our hand on them, and so it was,” he said. “Every terrorist knows that the long arm of the Israel Police and the entire security system will reach anyone who harms Israeli citizens.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem saluted the terrorists following their capture. “The ‘heroes’ of the Elad operation stopped the Zionist entity that possesses nuclear weapons with just one foot and exposed the fragility of the Zionist security system,” he said.
Stewart - South Africa says
I cannot imagine why they would take prisoners in this instance! I would not.
Ted says
Go after the political echelon of pali leaders that incite and want the violence. Targetted killings cut down the violence. Abbas or Abu Mazen is the p[rincipal inciter for palis. He should not be immune. After all his period of being president with a mandate from the people expired about 15 years ago.
Hartmut says
Well done, Israeli forces.
Andrew+Blackadder says
To describe two people that attacked an unarmed man as a hero is a contradiction in terms as the proper word would be cowards..
Surely there is a word in Arabic for coward.. or is that a contradiction in terms also.
Dubi says
Amir Tsarfati
A short time ago two terror attacks were thwarted by Israeli security forces.
One was at the Damascus gate where a Palestinian armed with a knife who was looking for Jewish people to stab. The border police detained him. He managed to stab a policeman but was immediately shot and killed.
The second happened just minutes ago as a group of Palestinians armed with guns tried to break into the Jewish settlement of Tekoa (the birth place of Amos the prophet). The security guard shot one and the rest ran away. The IDF is engaged in a hot pursuit after them.
BareNakedIslam says
Third Intifada has begun.
Dubi says
This is from “The Israel Guys”
Israel is under attack, the likes of which are reminiscent of the 2nd Intifada and have not been seen for years. Besides the terrorist attacks during the month of March and April, and the riots and violence that took place on the Temple Mount during Ramadan, there have been three more terrorist attacks just in the last five days.
Last week, a horrendous attack took place in Elad, a coastal city near Tel Aviv. Two terrorists managed to murder three Israeli men in a gruesome attack, leaving behind their wives and 16 orphans. The terrorists were apprehended after a short manhunt.
Yesterday, there was a stabbing attack just outside the Old City of Jerusalem, and an attempted infiltration in the town of Tekoa, a Jewish community in Gush Etzion. Thankfully, terrorists from both attacks were eliminated before anyone could be killed. A 24 year-old border police officer was wounded during the stabbing attack. Please pray for his recovery.
Israel needs our prayers more than ever. Besides praying for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel, please pray specifically for:
Attacks that are in the planning stages to be discovered and thwarted
The complete recovery of the victims who were wounded in the recent attacks
Comfort and strength for the families of those who have been killed
Wisdom, boldness and courage for Israel’s government to take necessary action to defend themselves
Protection and wisdom for Israel’s security forces, who are on high alert against any future attacks
Israel not only needs the prayers of everyone who counts themself as a supporter of Israel. They also need action. Stand up for Israel in your community. Speak up on behalf of the only Jewish nation in the world. Advocate for Israel’s right to defend themselves against those who would murder them.
Israel needs your support today!
BareNakedIslam says
There is going to be another conflict with Gaza.
Pray Hard says
They should not have arrested them.
BareNakedIslam says
Israelis usually do kill terrorists rather than arrest them. Don’t know why they didn’t this time.
Linda Rivera says
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem saluted the terrorists following their capture. “The ‘heroes’ of the Elad operation stopped the Zionist entity…..
Who are these mere humans — Muslims, to OPPOSE Almighty God who gave Israel to Jews as an Everlasting Possession thousands of years before the MURDER BLOOD CONQUEST Cult of Islam was invented?
Islam Detests and INTENSELY HATES the Holy Laws of the Righteous HOLY ONE, our Precious, Awesome, Wonderful Creator, Pure, Holy and Absolutely Good who dwells in Unapproachable Light.
Muslims CELEBRATE and take DEMONIC DELIGHT in Breaking the Eternal Laws of Almighty God — YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.
Bible, Romans 12:19
“VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, says the Lord.
The Bible warns, “IT IS A TERRIFYING THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD”
On Judgment Day, the wicked will not celebrate. They will Tremble in Great Terror before the HOLY ONE, the Just Judge. It will be too late to repent on that fateful Day.
The WICKED will spend all of Eternity in FIERY HELL.
Az gal says
It’s funny that the Muslum rats who commit these atrocities they are so proud of, always run & hide.
Jennie Jones says
Cowards strike and run away usually with other thugs.
Classy Infidel says
One wishes they would have their right hand, left foot and their penis chopped off. It would be a precious lesson to all who strive in the path to Islam’s paradise.
Piv says
why were they taken as prisoners?
BareNakedIslam says
Because they were unarmed when found.
Stewart - South Africa says
Here in South Africa – and cops in America too BTW – we have ways of dealing with the difficulty that may arise with “unarmed” attackers to ensure that every shoot is a righteous shoot. It is called a “throwdown” weapon.
BareNakedIslam says
There must be a reason that they didn’t shoot these two. They have shot and killed most of the other terrorists who have been killing Israelis recently.
Victor says
Maybe because of their young age?
BareNakedIslam says
Don’t know, maybe.