Suspects held over Hizme bombing, injured officer recovering

Two Palestinian suspects have been arrested in connection with the detonation of four pipe bombs that severely wounded an IDF officer last week, the Shin Bet revealed on Sunday.

The attack occurred on Tuesday night, May 10, outside the West Bank village of Hizme north of Jerusalem. Soldiers located another five pipe bombs in the area after the explosion.

There has been “a meaningful development” in the investigation into the attack, the Shin Bet security service added. It did not elaborate.

A gag order is in force on other details of the investigation.

The officer injured by the pipe bombs, named as Shahar Roditi, is continuing to improve, a spokesperson for Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem said Sunday.

The statement said Roditi is fully conscious and in contact with his parents, though his injuries have left him unable to speak.

He was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday night in serious condition and underwent a number of surgeries.

The injured soldier was visited earlier Sunday by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who said Roditi still has a way to go to recover.

“It was emotional for me to visit the officer and his family, who have shown real spiritual fortitude,” he said in a statement.