Plot to assassinate Samaria Council leader foiled
A plot to kill Samaria Council head Yossi Dagan was reportedly foiled by Israeli security forces on Wednesday.
A Palestinian police officer, Alaa Khaled Qatto, was arrested in the West Bank by Israeli security forces allegedly because of his involvement in the assassination plot to kill Dagan. Following his arrest, Qatto admitted that he had also been planning other attacks with the use of a firearm.
During the arrest operation, Israel’s security forces were met with gunfire and explosive devices.
The suspect had been wanted by Israeli authorities for some time and the house where he lived had been raided some four months prior, but he had reportedly managed to escape and hide in Jericho before continuing to the Palestinian city of Tulkarm to seek refuge.
Dagan expressed his gratitude to the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, for saving his life.
“I thank the security forces, the Israeli army, and the Shin Bet. Nothing differentiates me from other Israeli citizens, and anyone who wants to harm me seeks to reach all citizens of the State of Israel, everywhere in the country,” said Dagan following the arrest.
It is not the first time that Dagan has been targeted in an assassination plot.
Hamas, the terror group that runs the Gaza Strip, and the Lion’s Den terror group which operates in the West Bank, have called multiple times for his assassination.
Dagan is a leading figure in the Religious Zionism party movement and has frequently called on the Israeli government to fight against terrorism in the West Bank.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
