Bat Yam bombing: Israel arrests main suspect behind massive terror plot

The terrorist responsible for placing a bomb on a Bat Yam bus two weeks ago has been arrested, according to a report today (Thursday) by JNS.

The suspect, who was in Israel illegally, was arrested shortly after his failed attempt, which was detected in time by 26-year-old Adi Jegna, who alerted the driver, allowing everyone to get off the bus just moments before the bomb exploded.

This was one of five bombs planned to go off simultaneously on crowded buses and public places at the same time, though it is unclear whether the bombs were meant to be detonated in the morning or in the evening. Only one successfully detonated. No-one was injured.

Two Israeli citizens were arrested for transporting the terrorist to the destinations where he placed the explosives. One is about to be indicted even though he claims he transported the terrorist for payment and did not know his intentions. Another, a taxi driver, is now under house arrest.

One of the explosive devices was found to contain a note mentioning that the attack was revenge "for Tulkarm," a reference to IDF operations against terrorist units and infrastructure in northern Samaria as part of Operation Iron Wall.

The IDF has been operating since the end of January of this year to actively root out terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in northern Samaria, especially in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas, as part of Operation Iron Wall. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it part of the effort to fight the pro-Iran axis wherever it presents itself - in Jenin, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, or elsewhere.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iron Wall was a product of lessons learned during fighting in Gaza and elsewhere, per which "mowing the grass" by weakening but never destroying terrorist units and infrastructure was insufficient, and that the IDF needed to eliminate terrorist groups root and branch.

Katz has also instructed IDF units clearing out terrorist strongholds in northern Samaria to prepare to stay there for an extended period of time, as a sign of Israel's determination to continue the fight against Israel's enemies.