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Security forces nab suspect in killing of IDF soldier near Jenin in May

Nazmi Abu Bakr, 49, reportedly confessed to killing Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal, 21, during military operation in West Bank • Israeli premier orders suspect’s home razed.

IDF Sgt. First Class Amit Ben-Yigal was killed by a Palestinian terrorist on May 12, 2020, during an arrest raid in a Palestinian village in Judea and Samaria. Credit: Courtesy.
IDF Sgt. First Class Amit Ben-Yigal was killed by a Palestinian terrorist on May 12, 2020, during an arrest raid in a Palestinian village in Judea and Samaria. Credit: Courtesy.

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency cleared for publication on Sunday the arrest several weeks ago of a suspect in connection with the killing last month of an IDF soldier.

The suspect, identified as Nazmi Abu Bakr, 49, a resident of the West Bank village of Yabed, west of Jenin, confessed to the killing, and an indictment would be filed against him in a military court, according to the Shin Bet.

The arrest was carried out in conjunction with the military and Israel Police, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.

Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal, 21, died on May 12 after a rock was thrown at his head during a military operation in Yabed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised security forces for apprehending Abu Bakr, and said he had ordered the military to raze his home.

“Anyone who tries to hurt us should know that we will get our hands on you sooner or later,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office.

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.

“This man has appeared 22 times in court with so many excuses. He is completely unrepentant,” a court watcher who was present at the trial told JNS.
A congressman on the House Armed Services Committee confirmed the proposal to JNS.
The independent executive branch agency told JNS that the behavior is “not acceptable” and the incident is being “fully investigated.”
“It can’t just be business as usual,” Evan R. Bernstein told JNS. “We’re not done yet.”