Cops call off search for Palestinian would-be attacker

Police on Monday arrested a Palestinian man, calling off a heightened state of readiness shortly after declaring a “security operation” and setting up checkpoints in southern Israel.

Reports said the roadblocks were set up by law enforcement in an effort to locate a Palestinian woman suspected of intending to carry out a suicide bombing.

After approximately one hour, however, police found and arrested the man, who they believe was meant to drive the suspected would-be terrorist to the site of the attack, but not the suspect herself.

After an initial investigation, police now believe the female suspect never entered into Israeli territory, a police spokesperson said.

The checkpoints in southern Israel were removed, and the police officers who had been sent out to the area returned to their regular duties, police said in a statement.

The Shin Bet alerted the police to the possibility that the woman may be planning to carry out an attack in the area, reports said.

Unconfirmed reports named the woman as Diana Ibrahim of Beit Sira, near the Green Line in the central West Bank.