Israel captures terrorist responsible for deadly November bus stop bombing
Arab from East Jerusalem reportedly has ties to ISIS
Israel announced on Tuesday the arrest of a suspect in connection with a deadly bus stop bombing in Jerusalem in November in which two innocent bystanders were killed.
The Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, arrested Aslam Farouk – an Arab from East Jerusalem and a supposed ISIS supporter – six days after the Nov. 23 attack.
Farouk, a mechanical engineer, acted alone after learning how to make bombs on the internet, the Shin Bet said.
When news of a bomb going off at a bus stop first spread, Israelis instantly recalled the second intifada in which suicide bombings took place frequently throughout the country. It sparked concerns that a new intifada (uprising) was on the horizon, however, it turned out to be a lone attack.
This particular attack differed from the second intifada in that explosives were remotely detonated in two separate locations and were not connected to a suicide bomber. The bombs were placed inside backpacks and dropped off at a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem and at another in the Ramot neighborhood.
Security forces tracked down Farouk after finding items he apparently used in the attack – including an electric scooter, a helmet, spare clothes and five pipe bombs in Maale Adumim.
Aryeh Schupak, a 16-year-old boy with dual Israeli-Canadian citizenship, was killed at the scene while Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada – a father of four – died of his wounds later in the hospital.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid commended the Israel Police and security forces involved in the arrest.
"Just as we pledged, we found him. Israel will find every terrorist who attacks our citizens and will deal with them to the fullest extent of the law," he said. "The fight against terrorism continues around the clock. During the investigation an additional suspect was arrested who is not involved in this attack but planned to carry out an additional attack in the capital, thereby saving the lives of Israeli citizens."
"We will continue to fight terrorism and deal with terrorists and those who dispatch them to the fullest extent of the law," Lapid continued. "The State of Israel will do its utmost to deliver security for its citizens."
Nicole Jansezian was the news editor and senior correspondent for ALL ISRAEL NEWS.
