Arrests and lockdown at Jabal Muqaber after terror attack

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. January 9, 2017, 12:05 PM (IDT)

Law enforcement officers have arrested nine suspected accomplices of the truck driver, 28-year old Fadi Qunbar, who murdered four 20-year old IDF officers in a terrorist attack at Armon Hanatziv, Jerusalem Sunday, and injured 15.

Funerals took place Monday of the four victims: Lt. Yael Yekutiel, 20, from Givatayim , 2^nd Lt. Shir Hajaja, 22, from Maaleh Adummim, 2^nd Lt. Shira Tzur, 20, from Haifa, and 2^nd Lt. Erez Auerback, 20, from Alon Shevut. Shira Tzur and Erez Orback held dual Israel-US citizenship through their American-born parents who emigrated to Israel.

Five of the nine suspects detained in the Jabal Muqabar neighborhood of Jerusalem were the killer’s relatives. During the night, the police imposed a lockdown on the neighborhood as the Palestinian dwellers held a celebration. Qunbar’s sister said she was proud of her brother for dying as a “martyr.”

The investigation continues into his possible links with terrorist organizations. Although none has taken responsibility for the Jerusalem attack, it was suggested that the Palestinian terrorist was “inspired” into copying the ISIS truck rampages last year in Nice and Berlin.

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