Palestinian held after axes, knives, bullets found in his car

A Palestinian man was arrested at a checkpoint on Route 5 in the northern West Bank late Saturday after guards found knives, axes and bullets in his vehicle.

The man was driving an Israeli-registered vehicle with Israeli plates.

Guards at the Trans-Samaria Crossing on Route 5, just east of Rosh Ha’ayin, said the man aroused suspicion. A search of the car uncovered two large knives, two axes and a cache of 25 nine-millimeter bullets.

The Defense Ministry, which runs most of the checkpoints between the West Bank and Israel, said the matter is under investigation.

Also Saturday, four Palestinians were held at the Hawara checkpoint, outside Nablus, after soldiers found butcher knives in their vehicle.

The men said the knives were intended for an olive harvest nearby.

Police have launched an investigation.