IDF says West Bank home of deadly attacker sealed off by troops

The IDF says it has completed sealing off the home of a Palestinian terrorist who carried out a deadly ramming and stabbing attack on Friday in the northern Israeli cities of Beit She’an, Ein Harod and Afula.

In a statement, the military adds that security forces continue counterterrorism operations in the Qabatiya area in the northern West Bank, which has been under curfew since the rampage.

Ahmed al-Rub  is accused of murdering 68-year-old Shimshon Mordechai and 19-year-old Aviv Maor during an extended terror spree on a highway near Beit She’an.

הושלמה אטימת את בית המחבל שביצע את פיגוע הדריסה והדקירה בסוף השבוע בבית שאן, עין חרוד ועפולה.

כוחות הביטחון ממשיכים לפעול במרחב קבאטיה שבחטיבת מנשה לסיכול טרור pic.twitter.com/MLZyI3BVy3

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 28, 2025

As a matter of policy, Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out deadly terror attacks. In general, the demolition process takes several months, as the High Court must address appeals by the family.

The military said Saturday that IDF troops had mapped out the home and began sealing it off over the weekend, after IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed off on the order following all the necessary permits. Security forces also intended to advance the process of destroying the home, the IDF added.

During the mapping and sealing process, several suspects were arrested in Qabatiya on suspicion of terror-related activities, and dozens of others were interrogated, the IDF said Saturday.