Palestinian laborers barred from Har Adar, 15 suspects held since terrorist attack
Less than 24 hours after an Arab terrorist killed three security personnel in Har Adar, 15 suspects have been arrested, Palestinian laborers are still barred from entering the settlement, and plans for the demolition of the killer’s home have been expedited.
Shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nimr al-Jamal, 37, shot dead Border Police Officer St. Sgt. Solomon Gavriya, 20 of Be’er Yaakov; Youssef Ottman, 24, of Abu Gosh; and Or Arish, 25, of Har Adar.
A fourth man, identified as Har Adar’s security coordinator, Amit Steinhart, 33, survived the attack, which took place at the back entrance of the settlement, which abuts the West Bank village of Biddu.
Jamal, a father of four from the nearby village of Beit Surik, held a permit to enter and work in Har Adar. He was killed in the exchange. Multiple reports state that the terrorist was recently left by his wife following accusations of domestic abuse.
Following the attack, the IDF and Border Police removed all Palestinian laborers from the settlement, blockaded Beit Surik’s entrance, and searched for accomplices and evidence. Jamal’s father and two brothers were subsequently arrested.
Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced expedited plans to demolish Jamal’s home and rescind his relatives work permits to prevent them from entering Jewish settlements.
Noting that Jamal was one of approximately 200 Palestinian laborers who cross daily through Har Adar’s security gate, all Arab workers were removed from the settlement to prevent future attacks.
By Wednesday morning, 15 other suspects were arrested throughout the West Bank, a mourning tent erected for Jamal in Beit Surik was dismantled by police, and IDF engineers mapped out the terrorist’s home ahead of its impending demolition.
Additionally, security forces searching for illegal weapons, terrorist funds and propaganda, seized thousands of shekels in alleged funding near Kalkilya, Biddu and the Jenin refugee camp.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Wednesday that Palestinian laborers will continue to be barred from entering the Jewish enclave amid an ongoing intensive investigation into the attack.
“This morning no Palestinians were allowed to enter Har Adar due to the security measures being implemented in and around the area, as police operations continue inside the Palestinian village of Beit Surik,” said Rosenfeld.
“Security assessments are continuing to prevent another attack, and extra police units are patrolling all communities near where the attack took place.”
Rosenfeld added that heightened security will remain in effect through Yom Kippur, which begins on Friday.
“After the tragic attack that cost the lives of three Israeli security personnel, measures are continuing leading up to the weekend Yom Kippur fast, with an emphasis on the Old City in Jerusalem and the Western Wall area,” he said.