IDF shutters candy store owned by Jerusalem gunman’s family

IDF engineers on Tuesday shut a candy store in the village of A-Ram, north of Jerusalem, that belongs to the family of a terrorist who killed two people in a Sunday shooting spree in the capital.

Troops welded iron bars across the entrances to the store, located on the ground floor of the family’s home. The move comes after what authorities described as the family’s deep involvement in celebrating the attack after the fact, and in inciting to further attacks.

The gunman, whose identity remains under a police gag order, opened fire on passersby and those waiting at a light rail stop near Ammunition Hill in the north of the capital on Sunday morning. Levana Malihi, 60, a retired Knesset employee, and police officer First Sergeant Yosef Kirma, 29, were killed in the attack and six others were injured before the gunman was killed by Kirma’s elite tactical police unit Yasam.

The gunman filmed a pre-attack video in the candy store in which he accused Israel of attempting to steal the Al-Aqsa Mosque atop the Temple Mount.

IDF troops in the village of a-Ram, north of Jerusalem, welding iron bars across the entrance of a candy store belonging to the family of a terrorist who killed two Israelis in a shooting spree in Jerusalem earlier in the week, on October 11, 2016. (screen capture of IDF Spokesperson’s Unit footage)

The store’s closure was ordered by IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Roni Numa.

Jerusalem resident Levana Malihi, 60, left, and police officer First Sergeant Yosef Kirma, 29, who were shot dead in a terror attack in Jerusalem, October 9, 2016. (Police spokesperson)

According to the Ynet news site, the early-morning operation to seal the building sparked a confrontation with local residents, with troops holding back rioters until morning.

Israeli authorities say the shooting was followed by an outburst of celebration in East Jerusalem and calls for further terror attacks.

An IDF engineer welds shut the entrance of a candy store belonging to the family of a terrorist who killed two Israelis in a shooting spree in Jerusalem earlier in the week, in the village of a-Ram, north of Jerusalem, October 11, 2016. (screen capture of IDF Spokesperson’s Unit footage)

In several places in East Jerusalem, residents were seen handing out sweets to passersby in celebration of the attack, with Palestinian media reports claiming that members of the gunman’s family took part in the festivities.

Police forcibly dispersed one demonstration in support of the terrorist, prevented the family from putting up a mourners’ tent outside their home, and arrested 15 on charges of incitement to terrorism, Ynet said.

The gunman’s Facebook page was also closed after authorities found many supportive and inciting posts following the attack.