Israeli Forces Thwart Terror Attack On Mount Gerizim Checkpoint

Smoke rises between Israeli military vehicles caused by the explosion of homemade explosive devices placed by Palestinian youths during the raid on Nur Shams refugee camp near the city of Tulkarm. Israeli army raided Nour Shams camps, east of Tulkarm, and Aqabat Jabr in Jericho, Askar, East of Nablus, during an operation to arrest wanted persons. NASSER ISHTAYEH/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES.

Israeli forces on Tuesday thwarted a terror attack on a military checkpoint on Mount Gerizim in northern Samaria, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Three terrorists drove to the checkpoint from nearby Shechem (Nablus) and opened fire at the soldiers manning it from approximately 330 feet (100.58 m) away, according to the IDF. The soldiers returned fire, killing all three of the assailants, according to Israeli media reports.

The IDF did not immediately confirm the media reports, in its statement saying only that the terrorists had been “neutralized.”

Three M-16 rifles, a handgun, ammunition and military equipment were found in the terrorists’ vehicle, according to the IDF.

No Israeli casualties were reported.

Mount Gerizim is inhabited by a small Samaritan community, numbering barely 1,000 people. The Samaritans believe they are descendants of the “lost” northern tribes of ancient Israel and, while not Jews, practice a religion similar to Judaism, based only on what is in the written Five Books of Moses.

Weapons and gear found in a vehicle used in an attempted terror on Mount Gerizim in Samaria. Three M-16 rifles, a handgun, ammunition and military equipment were found in the terrorists’ vehicle, according to the IDF. No Israeli casualties were reported. IDF SPOKESPERSON.

The community has been targeted by Palestinians a number of times over the years.

Hours before this incident, a firebomb was thrown at the vehicle of an Israeli citizen in the Mount Hebron area of Judea. The driver was able to escape unharmed, but the vehicle was completely destroyed.

Also on Monday night, Palestinian terrorists opened fire on a public Israeli bus in Samaria. The bus was traveling through the village of Huwara near Shechem (Nablus) when terrorists fired at least eight bullets, the IDF confirmed. No injuries were reported, though the bulletproof vehicle sustained damage.

The bus was traveling through the village of Huwara near Shechem (Nablus) when terrorists fired at least eight bullets at it, the IDF confirmed. No injuries were reported, though the bulletproof vehicle sustained damage.

“The Israeli government must respond with an iron fist,” Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan told local media following the shooting, adding: “This kind of terrorism should not be contained. We could have had an attack with several deadly casualties.”

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager