IDF arrests two Palestinians in killing of Israeli-American

The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday arrested two Palestinians suspected of carrying out the shooting attack earlier this week that killed Israeli-American Elan Ganeles.

The IDF said that soldiers apprehended the suspects while operating in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in the Jordan Valley, close to where the murder took place.

A third Palestinian with the suspected gunmen was shot as he attempted to flee and was also detained, said the IDF.

Weapons were confiscated during the operation.

The suspects were transferred to the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) for questioning.

After the attack on Monday, the terrorists fled. At some stage they set their car on fire and continued on foot towards Jericho, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

“Every terrorist should be aware of Israel’s defense establishment—we will get our hands on them,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after the operation on Wednesday.

Ganeles’s funeral was held in Ra’anana on Wednesday afternoon.

“He was the biggest gift in our lives. He wanted so much to see the world and all its aspects,” said Elan’s mother, Carolyn, at the funeral. “Our loss is a loss for the world—of such a bright, brilliant, emerging star. He was so loved, he will be missed so much. We feel like a part of our being has been taken from much.”

Ganeles, a native of Connecticut, served in the Israel Defense Forces from July 2016 to August 2018. He was living in Manhattan and had traveled to the Jewish state for a friend’s wedding.

Ganeles’s murder came hours after brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv, slain by a Palestinian terrorist in Samaria the previous day, were buried on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

Hallel, 21, and Yagel, 19, were shot at point-blank range as they drove through the village of Huwara near where they lived.