Israeli security forces arrested an Arab terrorist this week, just minutes before he launched an attack in the central city of Rehovot, the Walla news outlet reported on Thursday afternoon.
The suspect, only identified as a resident of the northern Arab Israeli town of Ar’ara, was arrested at a gas station near Route 6—the Jewish state’s main north-south highway—after Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) intelligence indicated his intentions to carry out a terror attack.
The Walla report cited law enforcement officials as saying that the suspect’s social media posts indicated his plans to harm civilians.
Authorities tracked his phone, and after Israel Police officers set up checkpoints, he was located at the gas station in the Rehovot area.
It was not immediately announced if weapons were found on the suspect, or what his intended target was. Following his arrest, the terrorist was transferred to ISA custody for further interrogation.
Since the start of the war against Hamas in Gaza 20 months ago, there has been a growing radicalization among some segments of Israel’s Arab minority. Security officers have investigated dozens of cases involving citizens.
There have been at least 26 cases of Israelis swearing allegiance to ISIS and other terrorist organizations, the Kan News broadcaster reported back in March.
