An Arab would-be terrorist was caught by security forces Sunday morning at a checkpoint near the Cave of Patriarchs in Hevron. He had been illegally carrying a knife with a seven-cm. blade.
In his initial interrogation, the suspect - who is in his 20s - admitted that he had intended to carry out an attack in the area.
The knife was confiscated and the suspect taken away by security forces for further interrogation, the IDF Website reported.
Security forces are on high alert in the region, as the Purim holiday is being observed throughout Israel. By the Defense Minister's order, Judea and Samaria are under closure until Monday evening. This means that Arabs may not enter Jewish communities but does not affect Arab residents' freedom of movement within and between areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, or between Arab communities in general.
Thousands of Jews participated Sunday afternoon in the Adloyada Purim parade between Kiryat Arba and Hevron.
Hevron, where the Forefathers of Israel are buried, was also where the Kingdom of David was established some 3,000 years ago. In later centuries it came under foreign occupation and was liberated by Jewish forces in 1967.
