Shin Bet ‘ignored intel’ ahead of West Bank shooting
After assailant killed while attacking troops, Channel 2 reports info on his plans was provided to security officials months ago
The Shin Bet security service was warned six months ago about a Palestinian militant’s plans to attack Israeli soldiers — a plan he executed on Friday — but dismissed the information as false, Channel 2 news reported Saturday.
The assailant was shot and seriously injured by IDF soldiers Friday after he opened fire on troops at a West Bank checkpoint. He died hours later.
No soldiers were injured in the attack at the Hamra (Beka’ot) checkpoint in the Jordan Valley.
But Channel 2 revealed that police’s top intelligence official in the West Bank had warned the Shin Bet of the plot in December 2014. The information provided included the weapon the man possessed and his plan of action.
However, Shin Bet officials determined that the claims were not credible, and the man was not arrested.
The area was initially closed to traffic after the incident, amid fears that the gunman’s body was rigged with explosives, Israel Radio reported. However this proved not to be the case.
Following the attack, Israeli paramedics were dispatched to the scene and treated the gunman. An army spokesperson later confirmed to AFP that the assailant had died of his injuries.