IDF special forces operate to arrest a terror suspect. (Israel Army Spokesperson)
Israeli security forces arrested a suspect in the latest Palestinian terror attack, which claimed the life of a Jewish father and his son on their way to celebrate a family member’s upcoming wedding. The terrorist was turned in by his own father.
Friends and family attend the funeral of Rabbi Ya’akov Litman, 40, and his son Netanel, 18, in Jerusalem. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Israeli security forces captured a Palestinian terrorist suspected of murdering Rabbi Ya’acov Litman, 40, and his son Netanel, 18, on Friday as they were driving with their family south of Hebron to celebrate a family member’s upcoming wedding.
The terrorist’s father and brother reportedly turned their own family member in to Israel, out of fear their home would be demolished by the IDF.
The Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) announced Sunday that forces also seized a weapon and vehicle used in the shooting. The suspect admitted to his involvement in Friday’s attack, the Shin Bet added.
Hamas, the Islamic terror group that rules Gaza, praised the attack, but stopped short of claiming responsibility for it.
Accounts provided by family members who survived the attack indicate that the terrorist shot his first two victims, and then approached the family car and opened the door in an attempt to murder more family members, but a technical failure with his weapon caused him to stop his murder spree and flee the scene.
Israeli media reported that more than a dozen Palestinians were arrested in connection with the attack over the weekend.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Saturday evening with Noa Litman, the wife of Rabbi Yaakov and mother of Netanel.
Netanyahu expressed his condolences and those of the Israeli nation over the terrible loss.
Noa told him that a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance stopped at the scene of the attack but rendered no assistance to the wounded and told the family to contact the Israeli Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service.
Netanyahu instructed the Foreign Ministry to file a sharp protest with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is responsible for the Red Crescent, and request explanations for the abandonment of Jewish injured, “in contravention of all human and civilized norms.”
“If things are indeed as they seem to me today, the State of Israel will take appropriate steps against the Red Crescent,” Netanyahu said.
This shooting was the latest escalation in two months of Palestinian terror attacks which have murdered 14 Israelis in 65 stabbings, eight shootings and eight vehicular attacks.
AP contributed to this report.
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