Ra'ad Hazam, the Palestinian terrorist who killed three Israelis and wounded 14 others in a shooting attack in the heart of Tel Aviv last week was planning a second attack on Passover eve, Kan 11 News reported on Saturday, citing defense sources.
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According to the report, the investigation into the attack has concluded, among other things, that Hazam was hiding in a mosque in Jaffa while planning the attack, to which he also fled afterward, leading security forces on a massive manhunt.
Israeli troops were able to locate him in the early hours of Friday morning. He opened fire at the soldiers seeking to arrest him. A gunfight ensued during which Hazam was killed.
Citing unnamed defense sources, Kan 11 News reported that the evidence that led investigators to conclude he was planning a second attack was, among other things, that he had saved bullets. At the time of the attack, Hazam, who was armed with a handgun, fired 12 bullets.
Investigators believe he had planned to evade capture by hiding in the mosque for a week and then emerge on the first night of Passover – this coming Friday – to carry out a second attack.
The report added that the terrorist's brother is suspected of driving him from Jenin to an area in the security fence that was easy to breach near the northern Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. The brother has reportedly refused to appear for questioning by Israel. Hazam's father, a former member of the Palestinian Authority security forces, has also refused to do so, the report noted.
Jenin is a known hub of terrorist activity, where the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad has a massive presence. The report cited defense officials as saying that it is believed the terrorist's family is being harbored by PIJ operatives in the city.
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