Pieces of the dismantled pipe bomb . (Police spokesman)
IDF soldiers prevented another Palestinian terror attack by remaining on high alert.
Border Policemen guarding Ma’arat Hamachpela (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron uncovered a pipe bomb hidden near one of their positions on Wednesday evening during a routine inspection. Police estimate that the bomb was planted with the intent of targeting the soldiers manning the site.
“We are aware of the terrorists’ attempts to harm the security forces, and therefore we enter every security-related activity alert aware of the risks, prepared for any scenario and development,” the squad commander of the unit that uncovered the bomb stated.
The soldiers alerted a bomb sapper who dismantled the explosive device safety.
An investigation has been launched to track down the terrorists responsible.
Several Attacks Thwarted at the Holy Site
The Cave of the Patriarchs, a holy site for both Jews and Muslims, has been the scene of several attacks perpetrated by Islamic terrorists.
In February, alert border policemen noticed a suspiciously behaving Arab in the vicinity of the Cave and decided to detain him. Found to be concealing two knives on his body, he was arrested and taken for questioning at the local station.
Earlier, another Arab in the same area had aroused concern. He, too, had been carrying a knife and was subsequently arrested and taken for questioning.
In November 2014, security forces were successful in preventing a potentially deadly stabbing attack near the Cave of the Patriarchs. Israeli border policemen arrested an Arab terrorist in his 20s on his way to attacking an Israeli with a commando knife.