Cleared for publication: Israeli security forces on a counterterrorism operation near the West Bank city of Nablus arrested a terrorist involved in the 2006 murder of an Israeli soldier.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The Israel Security Agency said in a statement that as part of the ongoing efforts to undermine terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank, IDF, Israel Police, and Shin Bet security service arrested several suspects including 42-year-old Tanzim member Alam al-Ra'I, who was detained in May in connection to a shooting near Joseph's Tomb in Nablus.
In the course of his interrogation, investigators ascertained that he was recruited by Gaza resident Muhammed Madi to carry out terrorist attacks in the West Bank, including two shooting incidents that took place in Nablus and Joseph's Tomb in April.
According to the ISA, al-Ra'I implicated himself in terrorist activity going back over 15 years, including the July 17, 2006, terrorist attack against Israeli soldiers on a mission in Nablus.
The incident saw Palestinian terrorists detonate an explosive device next to a contingent of infantry soldiers on a counterterrorism operation in the city. Staff Sgt. Osher Damari, 20, from Netanya, was killed and six other soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Since that incident, al-Ra'I has taken part in dozens of other attacks against Israeli troops, including shootings and planting roadside bombs and other remote-controlled explosive devices.
"The Israel Security Agency, together with the security forces, will continue to thwart terrorist activity against Israelis, and to strive to solve past terrorist attacks and prosecute the perpetrators to the full extent of the law," the Shin Bet said.
Damari's mother, Avigail, told reporters Thursday that the arrest "won't bring Osher back. It won't set life back to what it was before, but now that I know who did it, he will be made to pay. I'll make sure he rots in prison for the rest of his life.
"This is a difficult day for us," she continued. "It sent us back 16 years. From this day forward we're going to fight this murderer. He will rot in prison for what he did to Osher and his friends, who are still dealing with that [day], as are we."
Also on Wednesday, the IDF said that in a routine counterterrorism operation in the West Bank, three wanted terrorists were arrested in Jenin, a known Islamic Jihad stronghold.
Palestinian media reported that Abd al-Khalim Izz, a senior terror operative, was among those nabbed in the raid.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
