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Bat Yam, Israel — The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has arrested two Jewish-Israeli suspects accused of aiding a terrorist who planted bombs on buses in Bat Yam.
The suspects were charged with attempted murder following their alleged involvement in transporting the assailant, who crossed illegally into Israeli territory.
The arrests, reported by Kan on Wednesday evening, come in the wake of an explosion that rocked an empty bus in Bat Yam last Thursday night. Security forces swiftly detained the terrorist shortly after the blast.
According to the investigation, an Israeli citizen had picked up the terrorist from a construction site in central Israel and transported him to a checkpoint and later to Bat Yam. An indictment against the suspects is expected to be filed on Thursday.
Unraveling the Plot
The interrogation of one suspect revealed critical details about the day of the attack. “On the day of the attack, I picked up the terrorist from the construction site,” the suspect confessed.
He disclosed that a local taxi driver from Bat Yam, identified only as Y., had connected him with the terrorist by providing the latter with his phone number.
The suspect recounted two separate occasions of transporting the attacker: once in the afternoon, from the construction site to a checkpoint, and later that evening, from the checkpoint to Bat Yam.
“He got into the car. He sat next to me with the bag. I didn’t know there was a bomb there and that he was a terrorist. I dropped him off in Bat Yam and drove away,” the suspect claimed during his interrogation.
The suspect also admitted to receiving payment from the terrorist for the rides but maintained that he was unaware of the attacker’s intentions or the contents of the bag he carried. The second suspect’s involvement is believed to be linked to facilitating the transportation arrangement.
Security Concerns Heighten
The bomb exploded on one of the empty buses in Bat Yam, causing significant alarm but no casualties. Security force personnel were seen thoroughly examining the scene following the blast.
Images captured by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90 showed investigators inspecting the bus for evidence, while security patrols were increased across the city in response to the incident.
Authorities are probing whether the suspects had prior knowledge of the terrorist’s plans or if the attack was part of a larger coordinated effort. The Shin Bet emphasized the gravity of the charges, particularly given the nature of the suspects’ actions in allegedly aiding an illegal entrant involved in a terror attack.
Community Reaction
Residents of Bat Yam expressed shock and concern over the incident and the arrests. “It’s frightening to think that people from our own community might have been involved, even unknowingly,” said David Cohen, a local shop owner. “We just want to feel safe again.”
The incident has sparked debates about security protocols and the risks posed by illegal crossings. Authorities have pledged to enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts at checkpoints and construction sites to prevent similar incidents.
As the investigation continues, Israeli officials have called for calm and cooperation from the public, urging anyone with information to come forward. The indictments set to be filed on Thursday are expected to provide further insights into the suspects’ motives and the extent of their involvement.