Israeli security forces on Sunday arrested Abed el-Hakim Adel Asi, 19, an Israeli Arab from Jaffa, for the fatal stabbing of an Israeli rabbi in February.
Asi is believed to have murdered Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal, 29, a father of four from the Samaria settlement of Har Bracha. Ben-Gal was stabbed to death while he was trying to catch a ride at a hitchhiking stop outside the city of Ariel on Feb. 5.
Asi fled the scene, leading security forces on an extensive manhunt across the West Bank. He was apprehended in Nablus in a joint operation by the IDF, Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency. Several other people who were with Asi at the time of the raid were arrested as well, the Shin Bet said.
A military official said Asi sustained minor injuries during the raid on his hideout and was treated on site by army paramedics.
A statement by the Shin Bet said, "The arrest was the culmination of extensive efforts since the terrorist attack, during which a number of accomplices, who are suspected of either helping him [Asi] or knowing his whereabouts, were interrogated."
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman welcomed the arrest and praised security forces for "a successful intelligence operation."
President Reuven Rivlin tweeted, "This is a proud morning for our security forces, who arrested the heinous murderer of Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal. Let all those who try to raise their hands against us know: We will chase you, find you and bring you to justice."
Asi's mother is an Arab Israeli originally from Haifa who apparently now lives in Jaffa. His father is a Palestinian from Nablus who holds a blue Israeli identity card, which grants him residency.
